Tibollo's support for Di Biase shows lack of judgement: NDP

By supporting the campaign of Eliana Di Biase, Community Safety Minister Michael Tibollo is showing a clear lack of judgement, and possibly wading into a conflict of interest, says NDP MPP Taras Natyshak.

Di Biase's spouse, former Vaughan mayor Michael Di Biase, is under investigation by the OPP for possibly accepting free or discounted construction work from city contractors for the construction of a personal cottage. While Eliana is not the subject of the investigation, she is named in paperwork relating to the cottage construction and ownership.

"Minister Tibollo is responsible for the OPP, and he knows that his office should be above and beyond reproach. Yet he's been actively campaigning for Eliana Di Biase throughout this municipal election," said Natyshak on Thursday.

"For the minister responsible for the police to support a person of interest in a police investigations sends a poor message - a message that police will be undermined by this government for partisan purposes."

Tibollo and Di Biase have been seen together at numerous public events throughout the last month.

"I don't understand how Minister Tibollo can think that it's appropriate for him and responsible for him to be campaigning for a candidate who's at the centre of an OPP investigation," said Natyshak.

"This shows poor judgement and a concerning lack of self-awareness on the part of Minister Tibollo. Ontarians deserve better."