Dec 10 2018 — Robert Benzie — Toronto Star — Ontario’s fiscal watchdog says this year’s budget deficit is $12.3 billion — $1.2 billion lower than Finance Minister Vic Fedeli has projected. But financial accountability officer Peter Weltman also warned huge shortfalls will continue into the future unless the Progressive Conservative government makes dramatic spending cuts or increases taxes.
Dec 6 2018 — Robert Benzie — Our Windsor — Premier Doug Ford insists he’s not to blame for U.S. regulators zapping Hydro One’s $6.7 billion takeover of Avista Corp., which will cost Ontario taxpayers tens of millions in cancellation fees and reduced share value. In his first public statement since Washington state rejected the Ontario utility’s proposed takeover of Avista citing political meddling by […]
Dec 5 2018 — Robert Benzie — Toronto Star — The Ontario government’s chief accountant resigned earlier this fall because she refused to sign off on Finance Minister Vic Fedeli’s inflated $15 billion deficit, the Star has learned. Cindy Veinot, the provincial controller, quit in September because she “did not agree with accounting decisions made by the current government.”
Dec 3 2018 — Robert Benzie — Toronto Star — The jittery Progressive Conservative government is rushing a change to official party status in the legislature amid fears former Tory MPP Amanda Simard will join the Liberals. Even though legislation is expected to pass later this week increasing the threshold to 12 MPPs from eight, the Conservatives have added a motion to the order paper […]
Nov 30 2018 — Robert Benzie — Toronto Star — A veteran Progressive Conservative operative fired from Ontario Power Generation after an unusual personal intervention from Premier Doug Ford’s chief of staff has officially left the utility. Alykhan Velshi, who was chief of staff to both former PC leader Patrick Brown and interim leader Vic Fedeli, departed OPG on Friday.
Nov 17 2018 — Robert Benzie — Toronto Star — In the eyes of federal Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s carbon-pricing plan makes him the “enemy” of commuters and families. To Doug Ford, Trudeau’s greenhouse-gas reduction initiative places him “next” on the premier’s political hit list.
Nov 14 2018 — Robert Benzie — Toronto Star — Deposed former Progressive Conservative leader Patrick Brown’s explosive new tell-all book takes aim at the “enemies” he blames for ousting him. His memoir, Takedown: The Attempted Political Assassination of Patrick Brown, will be published Friday, but the Star has obtained an advance copy.
Nov 14 2018 — Robert Benzie — Toronto Star — Rolling back labour reforms — including cancelling paid sick days and freezing the $14-an-hour minimum wage — is taking its toll on Premier Doug Ford’s popularity, a new poll suggests. The Campaign Research survey found Ford’s Progressive Conservatives, who won the June 7 election with 40.5 per cent of the vote, have dropped to 34 […]
Nov 13 2018 — Robert Benzie — Toronto Star — Taxpayers will be on the hook for up to $500,000 in a severance payment after Premier Doug Ford’s chief of staff ordered the ouster of a Progressive Conservative executive at Ontario Power Generation. Three Conservatives sources confirmed to the Star what was first reported Monday by the Globe and Mail — that Dean French phoned […]
Nov 5 2018 — Robert Benzie — Toronto Star — Conservatives sources said Sunday that the premier is scrambling to shuffle his cabinet. “It’s crazy,” said one worried Tory, mindful that the moves so soon after the government had taken office will make it seem as if the fledgling administration is in chaos. Embattled Community Safety and Corrections Ministers Michael Tibollo, whose past legal challenges […]
Nov 2 2018 — Robert Benzie — Toronto Star — Economic Development Minister Jim Wilson has resigned from Premier Doug Ford’s cabinet to tackle his addiction issues. Wilson, the most experienced member of Ford’s cabinet, was with the premier Friday morning in Sarnia.
Oct 30 2018 — Robert Benzie — Toronto Star — Premier Doug Ford maintains Ontario has a $15 billion provincial deficit and darkly warns that his Progressive Conservatives inherited a fiscal mess from the previous Liberal government. But a closer look at the books suggests the shortfall should be significantly lower when Finance Minister Vic Fedeli releases the fall economic statement next month.
Oct 26 2018 — Robert Benzie — Toronto Star — Premier Doug Ford is urging Ontario businesses to rally behind him as he stares down the “forces” opposed to his rollback of workplace protections and a higher minimum wage. Speaking to the Ontario Economic Summit in Niagara-on-the-Lake on Friday, Ford warned that powerful interests are trying to thwart his changes.
Oct 18 2018 — Robert Benzie — Toronto Star — “After carefully reviewing the matter, I cannot find that a prima facie case of breach of privilege has been established,” said Arnott of the dispute between the two Hamilton-area representatives, who have known each other for decades. Skelly, who ducked reporters Thursday and did not return messages seeking comment, had formally complained to the Speaker […]
Oct 15 2018 — Robert Benzie — Toronto Star — As Ontario’s fiscal watchdog is set to reveal the financial impact of Premier Doug Ford’s decision to scrap cap-and-trade, the Progressive Conservatives insist they will have a replacement climate-change plan soon. Environment Minister Rod Phillips said Monday the Tories would soon unveil their strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to extreme weather.