The Ford government was in damage control mode Monday, denying allegations that an outspoken legislator was expelled from Progressive Conservative caucus for raising concerns about possible 'illegal and unregistered' lobbying by the premier's friends and advisers.
Ontario PC MPP Randy Hillier scrums with reporters following the Throne Speech at the Ontario Legislature in Toronto on Monday, March 19, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris YoungLast Updated Monday, March 18, 2019 5:13PM EDT
"Like many people, I had high hopes and expectations with the election of a PC government after 15 years of Liberal mismanagement, scandals, and harmful policies," Hillier said. "I could not stand by and tolerate operatives engaging in similar and more egregious acts." "These fabrications are absurd and categorically false," Jefferies said in a statement that went through Hillier's allegations point by point to refute them.
Ford was not in Question Period on Monday, but several of his top cabinet ministers also refuted Hillier's accusations and said he had refused to be part of the team. But independent legislator Amanda Simard, who left Tory caucus last year over cuts to francophone services, said Hillier's comments about not being able to raise concerns freely echoed what she felt about the party at the time.
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