Hillier alleges ‘illegal’ lobbying by premier’s friends, advisers
Ford government says claims are ‘categorically false’ as NDP calls for police investigation Randy Hillier was expelled from the PC caucus last week by Doug Ford.
MPP Randy Hillier says he was ousted from the PC caucus after raising allegations about “possible illegal and unregistered lobbying” by Premier Doug Ford’s friends and advisers — and the NDP is now calling on the Ontario Provincial Police to investigate.
Ford’s office called all of Hillier’s allegations “absurd and categorically false.”
In a statement issued Monday, Hillier alleges Ford Chief of Staff Dean French and Chris Froggatt, who heads the election readiness committee, “engaged in an underhanded and relentless campaign” for months to get rid of him.
Hillier said he was expelled because he refused to “accept the obstruction and prevention of caucus criticism or input on public policy,” didn’t ask for permission to speak to reporters, and also for his “refusal not to stand and applaud,” which PC MPPs now do routinely during question period.
And, Hillier writes, he was also ousted for “raising concerns of possible illegal and unregistered lobbying by close friends and advisers employed by Premier Ford.” He provided no specifics about the alleged improper lobbying.
In a letter to the OPP, New Democrat MPP Taras Natyshak said the force needs to look at the allegations raised by Hillier’s statement.
“MPP Hillier alleges that his expulsion was an act of reprisal against him for ‘raising concerns of possible illegal and unregistered lobbying by close friends and advisers employed by Premier Ford’ … I am calling on you to act swiftly to take whatever action the OPP deems to be appropriate, including considering the launch of a full and detailed investigation into the claims,” Natyshak (Essex) told the OPP.
OPP Staff Sgt. Carolle Dionne confirmed late Monday afternoon the force had received Natyshak’s correspondence.
Hillier, first elected in 2007, was suspended from the PC caucus last month — and expelled last week — by Ford after the eastern Ontario MPP was accused of saying “yada yada yada” to parents of children with autism who had packed the public gallery in the legislature over recent government changes.
But Hillier, the MPP for Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston, has maintained his comment was directed at New Democrat MPP Monique Taylor.
Hillier has been accused by some colleagues of not being a team player. However, last week, Ford told reporters he would sit down with Hillier to discuss his return — though that meeting did not happen. Another eastern Ontario MPP, Steve Clark — the minister of municipal affairs and housing — said in the legislature that Hillier’s allegations were “unfounded,” but that “no matter in what capacity that member sits in this House, I’ll continue to work with him.”
Finance Minister Vic Fedeli said “everyone in our caucus wanted to work with Mr. Hillier, but it’s very clear that Mr. Hillier did not want to work with our caucus.”
Hillier has received a lot of support from constituents, with his local PC riding association demanding the government allow him to return.
Simon Jefferies, a spokesperson for the premier, said “everything Randy Hillier outlined in his letter is an outright lie. These fabrications are absurd and categorically false.
“This further shows Randy Hillier never wanted to be a true member of our PC team despite repeated attempts by Premier Ford to engage him as an important member of our caucus.
“In fact, Premier Ford made overtures to Randy Hillier since the election … It’s disappointing and disheartening that Randy Hillier refuses to take responsi- bility for his own actions.”
Jefferies also disputed Hillier’s claim that he was in trouble for not seeking permission to attend his brother’s funeral.
“False,” Jefferies said. “Everyone deserves the proper bereavement and would be afforded the right to do so.”
Natyshak, noting two former Tory MPPs now sit as independents — Amanda Simard and Jim Wilson — quipped that the “fastest growing party in chamber today” are those who’ve either left or been kicked out of the Progressive Conservative party.
This is not the first time French has made the news. Last November, the Star revealed Ford’s chief of staff had been accused of instructing to order the OPP to raid outlaw cannabis shops before the drug was made legal, so that images of “people in handcuffs” would be be shown on TV news.