“ On August 11th, 2022, a family wedding fundraiser known as a “stag and doe” was hosted at the Premier’s home. … Invitees included developers and lobbyists, with invitees later telling journalists they felt “browbeaten” into purchasing tickets. Some expressed concern about risking their professional reputations by being seen as “trying to gain influence by paying for his daughter’s wedding.” – from a February 23rd, 2023 letter Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles sent to the Province’s Integrity Commissioner
Ontario NDP and Official Opposition Leader Marit Stilesj
A News Release from Ontario’ Official Opposition New Democratic Party
Posted February 23rd, 2023 on Niagara At Large
QUEEN’S PARK – Marit Stiles, Leader of the Official Opposition, submitted a complaint to the Integrity Commissioner this morning requesting an investigation into whether the Premier has violated the Members’ Integrity Act concerning two Ford family events.
The complaint includes fresh evidence that suggests a troubling pattern of ongoing government policy decisions benefitting developers and lobbyists with close ties to the Premier.
Here is the full text of the February 23rd, 2023 letter from Ontario’s Official Opposition NDP Leader Marit Stiles to the Office of Ontario Integrity Commissioner David Wake –
Dear Commissioner Wake,
Over the last several weeks, concerning details have come to light about developers and lobbyists with donor and political ties to Premier Doug Ford and the Ontario PC Party being invited to participate in two Ford family events. The Premier is obligated to avoid conflict and the appearance of conflict.
This image of Ontario Premier Doug Ford was etched in by Niagara At Large and was not part of the content of the NDP leader’s letter.
Given this, I am requesting an opinion on whether the Premier has acted improperly with respect to these events.
On August 11th, 2022, a family wedding fundraiser known as a “stag and doe” was hosted at the Premier’s home. Reports from Global News list tickets for this event at $150, and that additional communications solicited donations for $1,000 for the Premier’s daughter’s wedding.
Invitees included developers and lobbyists, with invitees later telling journalists they felt “browbeaten” into purchasing tickets. Some expressed concern about risking their professional reputations by being seen as “trying to gain influence by paying for his daughter’s wedding.”
Several of the individuals and developers who attended the subsequent wedding have received favourable Minister’s Zoning Orders and at least one has benefited from recent policy changes related to Greenbelt land removals.
I am concerned that invitees felt pressured to contribute to the Premier’s family fundraiser, particularly as some invitees felt they weren’t being asked as “friends” of the Premier – but as government stakeholders — and feared impacts on their professional reputations and working relationships with the government.
I am requesting that your office investigate whether sections 2, 4, and 6(1) of the Members’ Integrity Act have been breached by Premier Doug Ford, the MPP for Etobicoke North, as well as whether the Premier may have violated Principles 3 and 4 of the Act or any other parliamentary conventions.
The attached affidavit and exhibits outline what in my opinion is a troubling pattern of ongoing government policy decisions benefiting particular private interests of individuals and developers with ties to the Premier through these two events.
I would be happy to discuss the matter with you in greater detail and look forward to your response.
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Marit Stiles, Leader of Ontario’s Official Opposition Party
To read a formatted copy of the letter Ontario’s Official Opposition and NDP Leader sent to province’s Integrity Commissioner requesting an investigation, click on the following link – https://mcusercontent.com/353019c4e982ae7eb8ea53150/files/e601f174-e038-2e08-73bb-63d9cc98b37c/2023_02_23_Stiles_IC_Letter.pdf
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