July 12th, 2019

Another Doug Ford Gravy Train appointment ignored by Ford

QUEEN’S PARK — Doug Ford has yet another Gravy Train passenger he’s been hiding. Ian Neita and Dean French coached a basketball team together, then Doug Ford appointed Neita to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).

“Ford handed out another ticket on his Gravy Train to a member of he and French’s inner circle," said Marit Stiles, NDP MPP for Davenport and a member of the government agencies committee. “But, surprise, surprise, the bogus review Doug Ford claims he’s conducting into his own appointments didn’t catch this one, either.

"When Ford said just yesterday he only hires for merit, he was clearly making stuff up again. Any scheme to conduct an in-house review of appointments, whether that's through the treasury board, or through the premier's office, does not pass the smell test. Doug Ford just doesn't get that Ontarians expect accountability and transparency when it comes to the public appointments process.”

Ford and his cabinet appointed Neita to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board on Dec. 20, 2018. His credentials have never been reviewed by the Ontario Legislature's standing committee on government agencies, as the PCs blocked an opportunity to review his appointment in December 2018.

In a 2013 program for Ontario Basketball's Ontario Cup tournament, French and Neita are listed as head coach and assistant coach, respectively, for the Etobicoke Thunder #1 Atom Girls team. On LinkedIn, Neita has endorsed Dean French’s investment skills.

Neita's position pays $275 per meeting.

"How many more crony gravy train appointments will Ontarians have to read about before Doug Ford does the right thing and has every single appointment reviewed, independently from his office and his cabinet?” Stiles asked.

“So far, he’s never done the right thing until he’s been busted.”