Doug Ford defends fundraising dinner amid cash-for-access criticisms - 2019-02-22
Doug Ford defends fundraising dinner amid cash-for-access criticisms February 22, 2019,
Ontario Premier Doug Ford insists that "no one can influence" him improperly following reports that his party has enlisted registered lobbyists to help sell tickets to a coming fundraising dinner.
Several lobbyists, companies and industry groups say they feel pressure to attend the $1,250-a-person Progressive Conservative Party event in order to maintain high-level access to the government, The Globe and Mail reported this week.
"I can tell you one thing: No one can influence Doug Ford, no one can influence my ministers or my caucus," he said on Friday in Washington, where he is on a trade mission. "Lobbyists … they want to get their point through, good luck to 'em. But we're going to do the right thing for the people. We're a government for the people, we're going to do the right thing for taxpayers."