For Immediate Release
March 29, 2007
ELLIOTT: MCGUINTY MINISTERS PLAY BY THEIR OWN RULES
Ministerial accountability abandoned by Liberal government
(Queen’s Park) – Whitby-Ajax MPP Christine Elliott said today in the Legislature that the same set of standards should apply to McGuinty Ministers, including the embattled Minister responsible for the OLG, David Caplan, as has been applied to decades of cabinet members before him.
“Minister, it is not only a matter of public precedent, but moreover a matter of integrity and accountability, that when a Minister’s capability to serve the public’s best interest is called into serious question, he steps aside pending an investigation into the matter,” fired Elliott during Question Period this afternoon. “Members of our caucus have held themselves to this rigorous standard without reserve, and without delay.”
Elliott was continuing a days-old call from Opposition members of the Legislature, as well as various third parties, for Minister Caplan to resign his post until he is cleared of any wrongdoing in the lottery scandal reported Monday by Ontario’s Ombudsman. Elliott pointed to actions taken by MPP Bob Runciman, then Solicitor-General and Minister of Correctional Services, and MPP Jim Wilson, then Minister of Health, after clouds of suspicion were cast over their respective Ministries during the tenure of the previous government.
“Although they were later cleared of any wrongdoing, my colleagues from both Leeds-Grenville, and Simcoe-Grey, stood in their places and resigned their posts, because it was the right thing to do,” charged Elliott. “Minister, why is it that you feel you should be held to a different set of standards than have been adhered to by Ministers in the past?”
Elliott remarked that the characterization by Minister Caplan of Opposition calls for his resignation as mere “partisan” antics can be easily debunked upon closer examination of the record.
“The bottom line is that this precedent has been followed by honourable members from all sides of the House. Twenty years ago, on June 16 1986, this standard was adhered to not only by a Minister from your Party, but by a Minister who happens to be your mother, Elinor Caplan,” noted Elliott. “Minister, this is a matter of integrity, credibility and public interest. Why won’t you follow the example set by your very own mother and resign?”
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For more information contact:
Christine Elliott, M.P.P
Whitby-Ajax
905-430-1141 |
