MYSTERIOUS DEPARTURES
Premier Doug Ford’s administration has been rocked by the exits of a key minister and a top aide within hours of each other
TORONTO — The fledgling administration of Premier Doug Ford has been rocked by the mysterious departure of a key minister and a top aide within hours of each other.
Ford and his senior aides were still scrambling Monday after the surprise resignations of Jim Wilson, the most experienced member of cabinet, and Andrew Kimber, the premier’s executive director of issues management and legislative affairs.
Children, Community Services and Women’s Issues Minister Lisa MacLeod confirmed that “swift action was taken” by the Progressive Conservative government, suggesting there is more to Wilson’s exit than the initial story that he was seeking treatment for alcohol.
“He resigned from caucus immediately. An investigation was put in place,” MacLeod told reporters in Ottawa. “I know in both instances that were revealed today that investigations — third party investigations — started to take place immediately.”
The minister emphasized she was not aware of what “allegations” prompted those investigations.
Hours after Ford shuffled his cabinet, the premier’s office issued a terse statement on the sudden loss of two powerful figures.
“Jim Wilson is no longer a minister of the government, nor is he a member of the PC caucus. He has entered a treatment facility to deal with addiction issues,” said Ford’s office. “Andrew Kimber resigned from the premier’s office. As a matter of policy, we don’t comment on specific details of internal staffing matters,” the statement continued.
Neither Wilson nor Kimber returned messages seeking comment from the Star.
Global News reported Wilson quit after a complaint from a male Tory staffer and that Kimber left after it was alleged that inappropriate texts were sent to female PC aides.
In the wake of the Global News report, the premier’s office issued a statement: “Generally speaking, if allegations are brought forward to senior staff of the government or the PC Caucus, a process is activated immediately and we provide staff with support and reassurance of their right to work in an environment that is free of harassment,” it said. “To protect the identity of any individual who brings forward an allegation, we would not comment on particulars.”
Kimber’s wife, Amanda Philp, a well-respected political veteran, was Wilson’s chief of staff. Ford’s office said the timing of the two men leaving was coincidental.
The minister’s resignation forced Ford to shuffle his cabinet, demoting some under-performers and promoting up-and-coming ministers. The swearing-in was done behind closed doors early Monday morning and no media were present.
“After four months of unprecedented action, we are taking this opportunity to calibrate our cabinet assignments to ensure we continue to deliver on our commitments to the people,” the rookie premier said in a statement Monday prior to the revelation that investigations had been launched.
“We have the best team in politics and a plan that is working,” he said after meeting with Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell at Queen’s Park for a hastily called swearing-in ceremony.
Ford said his hand was forced by Wilson’s unexpected resignation Friday.
Only hours after the premier had praised him in Sarnia an “all-star minister,” the veteran Simcoe-Grey MPP announced he was stepping down from cabinet to deal with addiction issues. He has also left the Conservative caucus and will sit as an independent MPP.
Government house leader
Todd Smith is the new Economic Development minister. Demoted was Michael Tibollo, who moves to Tourism, Culture, and Sport after a shaky 129 days as minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.
Last week, Tibollo (VaughanWoodbridge) was under fire after Torstar’s QP Briefing and the Globe and Mail reported on his legal travails years before he entered politics.
Senior Conservative sources, speaking on condition of anonymity in order to discuss internal deliberations, said the premier privately felt blindsided by the revelations in the press — even though much of what was reported was in the public realm.
Sylvia Jones, MPP for Dufferin-Caledon, is the new Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. Jones, a solid performer, had been Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sport.
Also swapping roles is John Yakabuski, who loses the highprofile Transportation department to rising star Jeff Yurek. Yakabuski (Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke) takes over Yurek’s post as Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry.
Entering cabinet is Bill Walker (Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound), who becomes Minister of Government and Consumer Services. Replacing Walker as chief government whip is Whitby MPP Lorne Coe and the deputy whip is now Doug Downey.
NDP MPP Sara Singh (Brampton Centre) expressed concern that Ford didn’t seize the opportunity to make the cabinet more ethnically diverse. Seniors Minister Raymond Cho remains the only visible minority minister of the cabinet, though there are a dozen other PC MPPs from cultural communities.
“We’re aren’t seeing any of those members being brought forward. We’re not seeing this province being accurately reflected in the cabinet choices,” said Singh.
Interim Liberal leader John Fraser said the shuffle “does not inspire confidence and raises more questions than provides answers.”
“Premier Ford and his government have not stopped campaigning since the election ... This shuffle shows they are struggling to make that transition.”