Two more Mayor Rob Ford staff members quit
May 31st, 2013 | Comments (0)
There has been more staffing changes in Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s office. His Policy Advisor and Council Relations staffer Brian Johnston was escorted out of City Hall by security this afternoon. Johnston says he “left on his own accord” following the footsteps of Ford’s Press Secretary and his Deputy who quit on Monday. The Mayor’s Executive Assistant Kia Nejatian also resigned today. Last week, the Mayor also lost his Chief of Staff Mark Tohwey , who was fired surrounding his handling of the drug video allegations. Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne says she’s worried about the turmoil surrounding Ford, adding there’s a lot of confusion because he has not dealt with what she calls “his personal issues.”
Ontario Court of Appeal refuses to dismiss $50 billion tobacco lawsuit
May 31st, 2013 | Comments (0)
Several big foreign tobacco companies have lost a bid to have a $50 billion lawsuit by the Ontario government thrown out of court. Ontario’s Court of Appeal has refused their request. The three-judge panel unanimously said it sees no legal reason to overturn a lower court ruling that the case should proceed. Ontario launched a lawsuit against 14 tobacco companies in September 2009 to try to recoup past and present health-care costs related to smoking. The province claims the corporations should be on the hook for billions of dollars because they misrepresented the risks of smoking, did not take steps to reduce the effects and marketed cigarettes toward children and teens. The tobacco companies argued that the Ontario Superior Court of Justice didn’t have jurisdiction to hear the case.
More heat being brought against Toronto Mayor Rob Ford
May 30th, 2013 | Comments (0)
The Rob Ford saga is taking another turn. A report in the Toronto Star is claiming that telephone and email records to three former aides were ordered to be destroyed. An official with the city is refuting the claim, saying the mayor’s office didn’t ask municipal staff to destroy any documents. The issue is the latest to come forward related to the ongoing crack cocaine scandal surrounding Ford. Ontario Privacy Commissioner, Ann Cavoukian says she’s concerned over the allegations, noting inappropriate destruction of records could erode public trust.
Liberal’s cruise past confidence vote
May 29th, 2013 | Comments (0)
Ontario’s minority Liberal government easily survived a confidence vote on the provincial budget today with help from the New Democrats. The vote on the budget motion, not the actual budget bill, passed 65-to-36 with only the Progressive Conservatives opposed.
CRTC hands out $369,000 in fines to four political parties, two MPs and a telemarketing firm for breaking Robocall rules.
May 29th, 2013 | Comments (0)
The Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission has slapped four political parties, two MPs and a telemarketing firm with hefty fines for breaking the robocalls rules. The federal Conservatives and NDP, the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario, Alberta’s Wildrose, Liberal MP Marc Garneau, Conservative MP Blake Richards and Edmonton-based telemarketer Racknine inc. have been fined a combined $369,000 in penalties. The regulator says so far Wildrose, the Ontario Conservatives, the NDP, RackNine and Garneau have paid their fines. The Conservative party, which was fined $78,000, and Richards, who was fined $14,400, have yet to pay the penalty and have 30 days to do so.
After a lengthy debate, Vaughan declares interest in new casino
May 29th, 2013 | Comments (0)
It took nearly eight hours, but Vaughan has decided to pursue a casino. A final vote was passed by council around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, and the city will now alert the OLG. The two potential locations for the facility would be at the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre or the 407 subway station. Meantime, Vaughan will get no competition from Markham, as city councillors there voted against a motion to reopen a debate on the issue. Last week, Toronto council said no both a downtown casino and a possible expansion at woodbine racetrack.
The investigation into Senator Mike Duffy’s expense claims is being turned over to the RCMP
May 29th, 2013 | Comments (0)
A senate committee looking into the Mike Duffy expense claim scandal has turned over the investigation to the RCMP. The Mounties will be looking into the circumstances that resulted in Duffy receiving a $90,000 cheque from the Prime Minister former chief of staff. On Tuesday night the senate said there is a troubling pattern developing that includes expenses Duffy claimed while campaigning during the election in 2011.
Despite speculation, Jim Flaherty wants to stay on as finance minister until the budget is balanced
May 29th, 2013 | Comments (0)
Any speculation that Jim Flaherty may be preparing to leave in the next cabinet shuffle has been shot down. According to Flaherty’s chief spokesman, the finance minister and Whitby-Oshawa MP wants to keep his job until the budget is balanced, which is expected in 2015. Ill health and Flaherty’s long tenure as finance minister has prompted speculation about when he may decide to step down from the post. Flaherty does have a serious skin disorder that requires him to take steroids, causing his neck and face to swell.
Website reaches fundraising goal to the rights of Rob Fords alleged video
May 28th, 2013 | Comments (0)
American-based website Gawker has hit its $200,000 fundraising goal to buy cellphone video allegedly showing Toronto Mayor Rob Ford smoking crack cocaine. However, it remains unclear whether the site will be able to lay its hands on the video. Its editor says he has been unable to contact whoever has the video. Gawker has promised to donate the money to a Canadian non-profit that deals with substance abuse if the deal to buy the video and post it online falls through. Meantime, more changes are coming to Ford’s inner circle. An announcement was made on Monday that his press secretary and deputy press secretary had stepped down from their positions.
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s Press Secretary and Deputy Press Secretary resign
May 27th, 2013 | Comments (0)
There were more major changes at Toronto City Hall Monday afternoon as Mayor Rob Ford’s Press Secretary and Deputy Press Secretary resigned. George Christopoulos and Isaac Ransom, both quit and walked out of City Hall leaving the mayor with a depleted senior staff. The moves come just days after Ford’s Chief of Staff, Mark Tohwey was fired last week. Mayor Ford is expected to hold a press conference Monday afternoon.
Metrolinx releases final report on recommendations into funding for public transit in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area
May 27th, 2013 | Comments (0)
It could cost families in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area around $500 a year to fund public transit improvements. The province’s transportation agency has released a final report on new fees and among the recommendations, a five-cents a litre gas tax and a one percentage point increase in the sales tax. Those two changes would cost the average household in the region about $477 annually. Other ideas being kicked around include: a 25 cents per day business off-street parking levy and a 15 per cent increase in development charges. Metrolinx is also recommending other tools, such as paying for parking at Metrolinx stations and so-called high occupancy toll lanes.
Ford brothers fire back at the media for drug-related accusations
May 27th, 2013 | Comments (0)
The Ford brothers used their radio show to lash back at the media and allegations into drug-related issues. Mayor Rob Ford reiterated that he does not use crack cocaine, and also denounced the media as “maggots” for the way the story has been covered. Allegations surfaced a couple of weeks ago that the mayor was caught on a cellphone video puffing a crack pipe. Despite the scandal, Ford says he’s looking forward to campaigning for re-election. City councillor Doug Ford also fired back at the media, denying a weekend report that he sold hashish in the 1980’s.