Ontario Premier Doug Ford has appointed Sean Webster, a former Progressive Conservative candidate, to lead a new regional office in Ottawa. The announcement has faced internal caucus dissent, with some MPPs questioning the need for the office and the selection of Webster.
Ford has defended the appointment, stating that Webster will serve as a “touch point person” between Ottawa’s municipal government and his cabinet. However, the financial details of Webster’s compensation package remain undisclosed, despite repeated requests for information.
One MPP who has publicly opposed the office’s creation is Lisa MacLeod, who cited concerns about its potential impact on her own constituents. Other MPPs have raised concerns about the appointment of Webster, who has ties to lobbying and corporate interests, suggesting that it may be a form of patronage appointment.
The accusations of patronage appointments have been further fueled by the recent revelation that the number of staff earning more than $100,000 in the premier’s office has doubled since Ford was elected. This has led to criticism from the opposition Liberal Party, which has accused Ford of running a “gravy train” with wasteful spending.
The appointment of Webster and the subsequent dissent within Ford’s caucus highlight the ongoing tensions within the party. These tensions have been particularly evident in recent weeks over the issue of a ban on the traditional Arab headdress, the keffiyeh, at Queen’s Park. Ford initially attempted to whip his MPPs to support the ban but later allowed them to vote freely on the issue.
Despite the internal dissent, Ford has defended his decision to appoint Webster and create the new regional office. He has stated that the office is necessary to improve engagement with both municipal and federal governments. However, the controversy surrounding the appointment is likely to continue until more information is released about Webster’s compensation package and the office’s budget.
