Ford faces questions as legislature resumes

Opposition presses premier on his relationships with developers who attended daughter’s wedding

Ontario Premier Doug Ford dodged most questions about his relationships with developers as the legislature resumed Tuesday following its winter break.

The opposition peppered Ford with questions about developers attending his daughter and son-inlaw’s $150-per-ticket stag-and-doe event last summer before their wedding.

Ford has said he did nothing wrong when developers who are longtime family friends attended the event, which is typically held to raise money for an engaged couple.

The scrutiny of Ford’s relationships with developers comes after the province announced in November that it is removing about 7,400 acres from 15 different areas in the protected Greenbelt, while adding more parcels elsewhere, in order to build 50,000 homes.

NDP Leader Marit Stiles, in her first question period as head of the Opposition, asked Ford multiple questions about the stag and doe, and his dealings with developers.

“Can the premier explain to Ontarians how they were, are supposed to believe that these developers weren’t given a heads-up about his plans for the Greenbelt?” asked Stiles.

“My family is separate than the political process,” Ford said in response. “They aren’t involved.”

Ford said he asked the integrity commissioner to look at the stag and doe and the commissioner’s office “found there was no violation.”

The Office of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario has said that based on information provided, Ford had no knowledge of gifts given to his daughter and son-in-law and there was no discussion of government business at the summer event.

Media reports cite sources as saying lobbying and government relations firms were asked to buy tickets.

Stiles said the issue wasn’t about Ford’s family, rather it was about the premier’s behaviour and the integrity of his office. She asked if the premier or any government staffers had a role in making the invitation list for the event.

Ford did not answer and passed it off to one of his top ministers, Paul Calandra.

“I think the premier has already responded to that,” Calandra said.

“Does the premier understand how bad this looks, not just for the premier, but for the integrity of his government?” Stiles responded.

Calandra, again, repeated his previous answer.

‘‘ My family is separate than the political process.

DOUG FORD ONTARIO PREMIER