Doug Ford defends Ontario Legislature heading for 21-week summer break
· Toronto Sun
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Summer recess is starting early for members of Ontario’s provincial parliament as members of the legislature take a 21-week break, effective immediately.
While critics were quick to question the break, Premier Doug Ford defended the pause.
“No one could question my work ethic,” the premier told reporters on Tuesday. “I am jammed from six in the morning and don’t get home until midnight every single night.”
The premier said his summer schedule includes trips to the U.S. focused on promoting Ontario and attracting investment with stops in Utah, Washington and South Carolina planned. He also has trips scheduled within Canada, including Alberta.
“Committees still sit, government still runs, we still pass things through ministerial orders and we’re going full steam,” Ford said. “Rather than sitting here and arguing with each other, we’re actually going to get out there and talk to the people and start bringing more jobs to Ontario.”
‘Can’t take the heat’: Fraser
Interim Liberal Leader John Fraser said the decision to avoid the legislature until later in the fall was because Ford “can’t take the heat” over hot-button topics such as the purchase and return of a private jet.
Back in April, the provincial government purchased a pre-owned private jet for $28.9 million, which was to be used by Ford. The province said the jet would allow “more certain, flexible, secure and confidential travel.”
The province bought the plane on April 17 and then returned it less than a week later.
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Premier criticized for being ‘out of touch’
The premier said the government sold the plane back for its original purchase price on April 22, but not before the government heard it from all sides as the opposition parties, advocacy groups and the public alike condemned the purchase.
NDP Leader Marit Stiles referred to the Bombardier Challenger 650 as the “gravy plane.”
Once again, Stiles said that Ford is working for his buddies and not hard-working Ontarians.
“I want this premier to start working for Ontarians, not American billionaires,” Stiles said on Tuesday in reference to the controversy surrounding the Billy Bishop airport. “What is so remarkable, Speaker, is that they want to be out of touch.
“The premier is not listening to anyone. Rather than spending this session making life easier for families, the premier was too busy managing his own scandals. How is it that a premier can care so little about the issues that are facing everyday families in the province of Ontario.”
There is precedence here
Government House leader Steve Clark said the purpose behind the extended break is to stay clear of the Toronto municipal election this fall as Olivia Chow looks to retain the top seat in Toronto politics for another term.
Candidate nominations for the mayor’s seat end on Aug. 21. Election day is slated for Oct. 26. The legislature will come back the following day.
The extended break came after the legislature sat for 30 days following a 14-week winter break.
Green Leader Mike Schreiner didn’t agree with the rationale postulated by the house leader, saying the provincial government interferes with municipalities quite frequently.
There is precedence for this kind of break. The Ontario government went on hiatus until the federal election was over in the fall of 2019. The federal election was held on Oct. 21.