Top Ford staffer to receive high-paying energy board appointment

TORONTO — A top staffer to Ontario Premier Doug Ford is leaving her post for a high-paid appointment with the province’s energy regulator, the latest in what the Opposition calls a series of cushy jobs for Ford’s friends.

Ford has recommended that Jenni Byrne, who has served as his principal secretary, become a full-time member of the Ontario Energy Board. The two-year term has an annual salary of about $197,000, his office said.

NDP critic Peter Tabuns said, “Doug Ford trades in favours and backroom deals, and clearly he wants to make sure the people who are supposed to be independent from politicians ... are loyal to him.”

Ford family friend Ron Taverner has been named OPP commissioner, though the appointment has been delayed pending an investigation by the integrity commissioner. Other appointees with ties to Ford include party president Rueben Devlin, family lawyer Gavin Tighe and adviser Ian Todd, who becomes trade representative to the U.S.