Doug Ford government under scrutiny for growing list of patronage appointments - 2019-04-28

Doug Ford government under scrutiny for growing list of patronage appointments April 28, 2019, Laura Stone, Globe and Mail

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Doug Ford's populist campaign strategy in last spring's Ontario election campaign saw him rail against what he said was a Liberal government devoted to spending taxpayer money on "insiders and political elites." But now, less than a year after the Progressive Conservatives won a majority, Mr. Ford's critics say his government has already appointed a long and growing list of party loyalists or friends to lucrative posts.

In addition to the botched attempt to make Toronto police superintendent and Ford friend Ron Taverner head of the Ontario Provincial Police, the Opposition at Queen's Park has seized on a series of appointments that include failed PC candidates, political campaign gurus and a Toronto lawyer who has acted for the Premier and his late brother, former Toronto mayor Rob Ford.

Some of the positions have six-figure salaries. Others will see insiders wield influence over bodies that make grants or the boards of government agencies. The government points to the credentials and experience of many of the appointees as justification.

Wikipedia cite:

{{cite news | author = Laura Stone | title = Doug Ford government under scrutiny for growing list of patronage appointments | url = https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-doug-ford-government-under-scrutiny-for-growing-list-of-patronage/ | work = Globe and Mail | date = April 28, 2019 | accessdate = April 29, 2019 }}