The extended summer break at Ontario’s provincial legislature has left MPPs frustrated and opposition parties concerned about the government’s accountability. Originally scheduled to resume on Sept. 14 the Progressive Conservatives pushed the date back to Oct. 27 citing municipal elections as the reason. This decision has erased five weeks from the legislative calendar, leaving the government with just 23 days to propose and pass new bills.
The opposition argues that this extended break reduces opportunities to hold the government accountable. Interim Liberal Leader John Fraser emphasized the importance of MPPs amplifying the voices of 16 million Ontarians at Queen’s Park. “It’s not us he’s silencing, he’s silencing the people of Ontario,” Fraser stated, highlighting the broader implications of the delayed legislative session.
Premier Doug Ford Defends the Extended Break
Premier Doug Ford defended the extended break, asserting that ministers can accomplish more when not confined to Queen’s Park. “When we get in the house, yes, it’s necessary to pass legislation, but my goodness, I can be out there making investments, getting people to invest, making changes,” Ford said. While the premier has used the summer months for various engagements, including meetings with the prime minister and provincial counterparts, the break has also allowed the government to avoid direct questions from opposition parties.
The government has faced criticism over several issues, including the PC MPP hotel expense scandal lack of support for small businesses facing U.S. tariffs and questions about the $2.5 billion skills development fund. These criticisms have been aired in news coverage, but direct questions will have to wait until the autumn.
Opposition Parties Voice Concerns
NDP house leader John Vanthof pointed out that the extended break also means that perspectives on provincial policy are not shared with decision-makers. “When you’re in tune with your riding, the government might put forward stuff that’s absolutely not going to work,” Vanthof said. He emphasized the importance of being in the legislature, especially during an economic war with the United States.
The Ford government has also used truncated sitting periods to fast-track multiple pieces of legislation and skip public hearings on bills. In an effort to clear legislative hurdles, the government has scheduled night sittings, leading to PC MPPs booking downtown Toronto hotel rooms to stay close to Queen’s Park. Ford acknowledged that several Toronto-area MPPs who charged a combined $120,000 for hotel rooms have paid back the amount in full.
Cabinet Shuffle Signals Continuity
In a recent cabinet shuffle, Premier Doug Ford maintained the size of his cabinet at 37 members signaling a desire for continuity despite a bumpy spring and summer filled with controversies. Political insiders suggest that the shuffle was influenced by recent byelection victories and a desire to manage relationships within the party. Ford acknowledged the difficulty of choosing cabinet members, stating, “I put a lot of thought into it, and I think for any premier, myself, in the future or in the past, I think the toughest position you’re in is when you have to pick and choose who’s going to be in cabinet.”
The shuffle involved shifting nine of the 37 ministers to achieve a “fresh outlook, a fresh start” for some ministries. Conservative strategist Sam Duncan noted that the shuffle suggests Ford is largely content with the direction of his government despite recent controversies. “The government’s not really looking to change,” Duncan said, highlighting the premier’s belief in their approach and plan.
Critics, however, argue that Ford has missed warning signs from the public. NDP strategist Erin Morrison pointed to controversies such as the purchase and sale of a private jet and the expense scandal, suggesting that the small shuffle is “hubris” on Ford’s part. “Working folks look at the luxury jet he bought, the lobster dinners his MPPs have been putting on the public dime, and they might be thinking, ‘Yeah, my paychecks haven’t even kept up with the cost of living, so time for you to stop living high on the hog’,” Morrison said.
Former Liberal cabinet minister John Milloy expressed concern about Ford keeping embattled minister David Piccini in a prominent cabinet role. Piccini, who moves from the labour to the infrastructure portfolio, remains under investigation by the integrity commissioner. Milloy warned that Piccini’s new role could be problematic if a report puts him in a poor light, forcing Ford to defend the same minister again.
The size of Ford’s cabinet has also drawn criticism, with Milloy noting that traditionally, “war cabinets” appointed to deal with a crisis are smaller and centralize decision-making. Ford initially promised a leaner government but has since expanded his cabinet to include virtually every Conservative in the legislature. Duncan, however, defended the size, stating that it reflects Ford’s value on having a personal bond with his ministers.
