September 11th, 2017

Horwath to Wynne: what did you know, and when did you know it?

With the trial of two top Liberal operatives, including Premier Wynne’s former Deputy Chief of Staff, underway, it didn’t take long for Ontarians to learn shocking new details about how far the Wynne Liberals were willing to go to win the 2015 Sudbury by-election. NDP Leader Andrea Horwath demanded answers from Kathleen Wynne and her government during the first question period of the fall sitting of the legislature.  Horwath demanded answers from Premier Wynne about what she knew and when she knew it, when it comes to the alleged bribery of the current Minister of Energy, Glenn Thibeault. “It’s alleged that the Minister of Energy demanded paid jobs for staffers in exchange for running as the Liberal candidate in the by-election,” said Horwath. “Can the premier tell us right now – did she agree to this demand?” Wynne refused to answer that, or any of the questions asked of her in question period.  It appears from the evidence heard in court that the only reason Mr. Thibeault was not charged alongside other Liberal insiders is that it is only illegal to offer a bribe, it’s not illegal to accept one.  “Things are getting harder in Ontario. Health, education and the services we count on are being cut,” said Horwath.  “We need a government focused on undoing that damage and making life easier for Ontario families. But it looks like Wynne and her party have been focused on themselves and their internal party politics. Kathleen Wynne has disappointed Ontarians – and she is making it worse the longer she refuses to answer questions about what she knew about the bribery scandal, and when she knew it.”