Summer recess is starting early for members of Ontario's provincial parliament as members of the legislature take a 21-week break, effective immediately. Premier Doug Ford defended the extended pause, which has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties.
Ford Defends His Work Ethic
"No one could question my work ethic," the premier told reporters on Tuesday. "I am jammed from six in the morning and don't get home until midnight every single night." Ford outlined a busy summer schedule, including trips to the U.S. focused on promoting Ontario and attracting investment, with stops in Utah, Washington, and South Carolina planned. He also has trips scheduled within Canada, including Alberta.
"Committees still sit, government still runs, we still pass things through ministerial orders and we're going full steam," Ford said. "Rather than sitting here and arguing with each other, we're actually going to get out there and talk to the people and start bringing more jobs to Ontario."
Critics Cry Foul
Interim Liberal Leader John Fraser said the decision to avoid the legislature until later in the fall was because Ford "can't take the heat" over hot-button topics such as the purchase and return of a private jet. Back in April, the provincial government purchased a pre-owned private jet for $28.9 million, which was to be used by Ford. The province said the jet would allow "more certain, flexible, secure and confidential travel." The province bought the plane on April 17 and then returned it less than a week later.
NDP Leader Marit Stiles referred to the Bombardier Challenger 650 as the "gravy plane." She accused Ford of working for his buddies and not hard-working Ontarians. "I want this premier to start working for Ontarians, not American billionaires," Stiles said on Tuesday, referencing the controversy surrounding Billy Bishop airport. "The premier is not listening to anyone. Rather than spending this session making life easier for families, the premier was too busy managing his own scandals."
Rationale for the Break
Government House leader Steve Clark said the purpose behind the extended break is to stay clear of the Toronto municipal election this fall as Olivia Chow looks to retain the top seat in Toronto politics for another term. Candidate nominations for the mayor's seat end on Aug. 21. Election day is slated for Oct. 26. The legislature will come back the following day.
The extended break came after the legislature sat for 30 days following a 14-week winter break. Green Leader Mike Schreiner didn't agree with the rationale, saying the provincial government interferes with municipalities quite frequently. There is precedence for this kind of break: the Ontario government went on hiatus until the federal election was over in the fall of 2019.
