Queen’s Park Today – Daily Report March 6, 2019

Quotation of the day

“The cost of a compromised OPP is too great a price to pay.”

Brad Blair fires back after being fired from the provincial police force. ​

Today at Queen’s Park

On the schedule The House convenes at 9 a.m. The government could put forward any of the following bills:

● Bill 66, Restoring ’s Competitiveness Act; or ​ ● Bill 74, People’s Health Care Act. ​

Tuesday’s debates and proceedings After morning debate and question period, MPPs voted to pass two time-allocation motions on Bill 66 and Bill 68, Comprehensive Ontario Policing Services (COPS) Act (Ayes 61; Nays 42). ​ ​ ​ The motions would see the bills returned to the House, with any amendments, for third reading by March 26 and March 25, respectively.

Official Opposition Leader unsuccessfully sought unanimous consent for a ​ ​ public inquiry into the Taverner saga, but her motion was promptly shot down by the government benches. The NDP, however, had a back-up plan: Horwath’s community safety critic asked the province’s integrity watchdog to intervene (more on this below). ​ ​

NDP MPP France Gélinas tabled Bill 75, 9-1-1 Everywhere in Ontario Act. Gélinas will be in ​ ​ ​ ​ the media studio this morning to talk about her private member’s legislation, which would compel the government to ensure everyone has access to the emergency line and would create a 911 ombudsman.

Health Minister kicked off second-reading debate of Bill 74, the big health-care ​ ​ ​ ​ system shakeup, in the afternoon.

In the park

The Six Nations Elected Council and National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco will hold breakfast receptions; the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario is scheduled to lobby MPPs at an evening reception.

Ex-Liberal cabinet minister Deb Matthews was in the House for yesterday’s question period. ​ ​

Blair calls firing ‘reprisal’ for speaking out on Taverner controversy Former OPP deputy commissioner Brad Blair says he was fired for raising concerns about ​ ​ alleged political interference in the hiring of future commissioner Ron Taverner. ​ ​

“It is patently clear to me that this is reprisal and an attempt to muzzle me, and that this reprisal is directly connected to my good faith efforts to seek redress before the Divisional Court and the provincial ombudsman,” Blair said in an affidavit in newly filed court documents.

He also claimed deputy community safety minister Mario Di Tommaso, who fired him in person ​ ​ Monday, “does not appreciate what a conflict of interest is.”

Di Tommaso is Taverner’s former boss and sat on the three-person panel that recommended him as Ontario’s top cop.

Court documents also contain a nine-page letter from Premier to Integrity ​ ​ Commissioner J. David Wake from December, in which Ford acknowledges “some of the ​ ​ ​ allegations that have arisen could have been avoided had the ranking requirements been ​ removed from the job ad before its original posting.” ​

“However, I believe the change was made in a good faith effort to ensure a broad and inclusive recruitment process and provides no evidence of any improper activity by me, my office or any individual working on my behalf,” Ford wrote.

Ford went on to explain his decision not to recuse himself from the cabinet table when Taverner’s appointment was green-lighted because Taverner had already been recommended by “the approved recruitment process.”

“While I did not recuse myself from that meeting, I ensured that cabinet members were aware of my personal friendship with Mr. Taverner,” the premier said.

Ford concludes with a shot at the NDP, which he says has “encouraged the reporting of inaccurate information and unfounded innuendo” and “had the grossly unfair effect of disparaging a highly qualified candidate” in Taverner. Ford adds he will heed Wake’s advice, but asked the integrity watchdog to determine no further inquiry is needed.

Wake is probing for potential political interference at the NDP’s request. Ford has reportedly ​ been grilled by the commissioner’s office, as has his chief of staff Dean French and Community ​ ​ Safety Minister . ​ ​

Meanwhile, Blair is in court trying to force the provincial ombudsman to investigate and submitted court documents to beef up his claim that reveal details on Ford’s request for a ​ customized van, and contain allegations the premier attempted to direct the police force.

The ongoing Taverner saga has roiled Queen’s Park this week.

To wit: Blair was fired Monday because “he released confidential, private information for his own personal gain,” Jones said in the legislature. She cited Blair’s letter to the ombudsman and ​ ​ subsequent court filings, and suggested he breached the Police Services Act and civil servant oath of office. Jones maintains the move was free from political interference, as Di Tommaso made the decision after consulting with legal counsel and interim OPP Commissioner Gary ​ Couture, which was then approved by top-level bureaucrats that make up the Public Service ​ Commission. Jones said she then signed the order-in-council finalizing his dismissal Monday.

Jones was cagey when pressed by reporters Tuesday. She said it was appropriate for her deputy minister Di Tommaso to “engage in oversight of all police services,” such as HR matters, but would not address Blair’s specific allegations about Di Tommaso’s conflict.

Blair issued a press statement that afternoon; his counsel Julian Falconer is expected to hold a ​ ​ conference call with reporters today.

“The OPP can be called in to investigate provincial politicians, and the citizens of Ontario need to have faith that the OPP is truly independent, above political interference, and free from abuses of power,” Blair says, adding he sounded the alarm “because the cost of a compromised OPP is too great a price to pay.”

NDP seeks public inquiry Blair’s firing sparked a fresh complaint to the integrity commissioner from NDP MPP Kevin ​ Yarde, who is asking for a public inquiry into the matter, which would be a rare undertaking for ​ the watchdog.

Yarde filed the requisite affidavit Tuesday and said he believes Premier Ford further contravened the Member’s Integrity Act “in approving a decision to have former Deputy Commissioner Brad Blair dismissed from his position.”

“This thing reeks. It reeks like a stinking mess, and this government needs to clean it up,” his leader Andrea Horwath echoed. ​ ​

None of the allegations mentioned in this story have been tested in court.

Hillier still in no man’s land after PCs discuss his fate Ousted MPP remains suspended after his Tory caucus colleagues discussed his ​ ​ future in their ranks Tuesday.

“The matter of Mr. Hillier’s membership in caucus was addressed at today’s caucus meeting. Randy Hillier remains suspended from caucus,” said Simon Jefferies, a spokesperson for ​ ​ Premier Ford. He would not elaborate on the nature of the discussion, as internal caucus matters are seldom aired (on the record).

It means there is no change in Hillier’s status since he was ejected indefinitely last month over allegedly heckling parents of children with autism during an emotional debate. Hillier says his “yada yada yada” remark was aimed at the New Democrats.

Meanwhile, the Star has reported Hillier’s PC riding association has formally requested ​ ​ ​ ​ his reinstatement, and Global News talked to unnamed politicos who said Hillier was kicked to ​ ​ the curb on the whim of Dean French, the premier’s chief of staff, who was reportedly long ​ ​ looking for an excuse to turf the MPP from the PC ranks.

Hillier did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Today’s events

March 6 at 9 a.m. – Toronto ​ ​ NDP MPP will be in the Queen’s Park media studio to tease his forthcoming ​ ​ private member’s bill on upholding the UN declaration on Indigenous rights.

March 6 at 9:30 a.m. – Toronto ​ ​ The Financial Accountability Office will release a report on provincial health spending in the Queen’s Park media studio.

March 6 at 10 a.m. – Toronto ​ ​ Transportation Minister will make an announcement alongside Metrolinx CEO Phil ​ ​ ​ Verster at Woodbine Racetrack. ​

March 6 at 11 a.m. – Toronto ​ ​ Energy, Northern Development and Mines Minister will deliver remarks at the ​ ​ Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Convention conference alongside his Saskatchewan counterpart, Energy and Resources Minister Bronwyn Eyre. The pair will ​ ​ partake in a roundtable on federal Bill C-69, which would overhaul environmental impact ​ ​ assessments for energy, mining and infrastructure projects.

March 6 at 2 p.m. – Toronto ​ ​ The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario will hold a news conference to talk about its lobbying efforts at Queen’s Park.

Topics of conversation

● Kinark Child and Family Services, which provides autism services, dealt another blow to the PC’s much maligned program Tuesday, saying in a statement on its website the ​ ​ changes do not reflect its advice. “Many parents are telling us that these changes will be very difficult for them, and for their children, and we believe the new program will have significant limitations in terms of its ability to support the best possible clinical outcomes for children and youth with [autism spectrum disorder,” Kinark says.

● A fresh public-opinion survey suggests the 6ix is split on the looming provincial subway upload plans, according to the . ​ ​ ​

● Principals from English, Catholic and French schools have penned a letter to Education Minister Lisa Thompson warning they aren’t prepared for the rush of students expected ​ ​ when the new autism program kicks in April 1, the Star reports. ​ ​ ​ ​

● The Canadian Civil Liberties Association is threatening legal action over Sidewalk Labs’ controversial plan to build a high-tech neighbourhood on Toronto’s waterfront, citing privacy concerns. The Canadian Press has the story. ​ ​ ​

● The Ford government is pulling the plug on a $1.4-million commitment to FutureSSM, a Sault Ste Marie civic bureau established to implement a new community plan that includes a PC-friendly mandate to boost job opportunities and business retention, according to Sootoday.com. ​

● A constituent with a child on the autism spectrum told Huffington Post her rookie MPP ​ ​ ​ asked her to delete Facebook posts about their meeting in which ​ Ghamari reportedly privately backed up disdain for the PC’s controversial autism program but said she had to publicly follow rank and support it.

News releases — governmental Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines ● Calling all wannabe workers in the North! Ontario wants you for its revamped internship program geared toward boosting job opportunities for Indigenous youth. The province is also expanding its pool of applicants by removing a requirement for a university or college degree.

○ Minister Greg Rickford made the announcement at the Prospectors and ​ ​ Developers Association of Canada’s conference, saying removing barriers will mean “more organizations can provide on-the-job career development and address skilled labour shortages.” ○ A day earlier the premier cut the ribbon on a new mining industry working group at the PDAC conference.

Question period

NDP lead-off Taverner saga ● The Opposition devoted several questions to the Ron Taverner controversy roiling ​ ​ Queen’s Park. NDP Leader Andrea Horwath led by asking point-blank: “Why did the ​ ​ premier have [Brad Blair] fired?” ​ ​

● Premier Doug Ford wasn’t in the chamber, which left Community Safety Minister Sylvia ​ ​ ​ Jones to repeat her line that the decision was made by her deputy minister and ​ Taverner’s former boss, Mario Di Tommaso, after he sought legal advice and ​ ​ ​ consulted with the interim OPP commissioner Gary Couture. ​ ​ ○ “No one is above the law … Mr. Blair breached his duties as both a police officer and a public servant,” Jones said.

Van request ● NDP MPP tamped down his cheeky monikers for the custom OPP van ​ ​ requested by Ford’s office by asking if Blair blowing the whistle on the allegedly off-book “special luxury” vehicle was actually why he was relieved of duty.

● Jones repeated her talking points, which Natyshak called “isome Trudeau-level spin coming out of this minister.”

● The SNC-Lavalin scandal got another shoutout amid Queen’s Park drama, when Jones replied: “the difference between … Prime Minister [Justin] Trudeau and Premier Ford is ​ ​ ​ ​ Premier Ford stands behind the women in his cabinet and supports them.” ○ Independent MPP , who defected from the PCs over cuts to ​ ​ French-language services last year, may disagree — as intimated by her retweet ​ of a post defending her decision to quit Ford’s caucus. ​

Autism treatment ● NDP MPP , her party’s children services critic, asked about the ​ ​ controversial changes to autism therapy funding.

● Perhaps oddly, Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clark responded for ​ ​ Children Services Minister Lisa MacLeod, who wasn’t there. Clark reiterated that the ​ ​ government’s program is aimed at clearing the 23,000-kid-long waitlist.

Toronto South Detention Centre ● NDP corrections critic Kevin Yarde asked about correctional officer safety after two ​ ​ guards were allegedly assaulted by inmates at the Toronto South Detention Centre on ​ ​ the weekend.

● Jones acknowledged it was a “very serious incident” and said she is working to address safety concerns alongside the attorney general, without citing specifics, but noted “this is not an easy ship to move.” ○ Workers have started job action over the incident, which the provincial labour ministry is reportedly investigating. Meanwhile, OPSEU’s Warren “Smokey” ​ ​ ​ Thomas has invited the premier to tour the jail. ​

Liberal questions ● Liberal MPPs and Nathalie Des Rosiers also asked about Taverner. ​ ​ ​ ​ Hunter has called for Di Tommaso’s firing while Des Rosiers has asked the chair of the justice policy committee to call the deputy minister to testify about the hiring and firing process.

PC friendly questions Tory backbenchers asked their ministers about the post-secondary tuition cut, hunting and fishing fee breaks, the COPS Act and the federal carbon backstop program.

Queen's Park Today is written by Sabrina Nanji, reporting from the Queen's Park press gallery.

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