Ford government cancels public hearings for controversial Bill to limit transparency and protect Premier’s cell phone records

QUEEN’S PARK — Marit Stiles, Leader of the Official Opposition NDP, slams the Ford government for cancelling public hearings on their latest changes to the province’s transparency laws:

“Doug Ford is going to great lengths to hide his cell phone records,” said Stiles. “We all know that the government’s move to exempt the Premier and his Minister from Freedom of Information requests is a recipe for more corruption and backroom deals.

“The people have a right to know how their government spends their hard-earned tax dollars. These changes will mean less transparency and more cover for this government’s shady business.

“This is an attack on our democracy, and by canceling public hearings, Doug Ford is sending a clear message: if you don’t agree with him, he doesn’t want to hear from you.”

BACKGROUND:

• This afternoon, the Ford government tabled a motion to time allocate Bills 97, 98, and 101.
• The accelerated Bills include the controversial changes to the Freedom of Information rules and the province’s overhaul of school board governance.
• Bill 97, the legislation bringing the controversial FOI changes was sitting in committee for two weeks without scheduled hearings. With today’s time allocation motion, the Ford government is canceling public committee hearings on this matter.
• Bills 98 and 101 will have shortened committee timelines.