Randy Hillier, MPP for Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington, restated his ongoing concern with the lack of Ministerial oversight and responsibility in light of recent events, including the Ecotax incompetence and recent news that the OPP anti-racketeering squad is investigating Ministry staff.

“No one is minding the store,” remarked Hillier. “Ministers have shielded themselves from scrutiny and accountability by passing off the responsibility for their ministries’ decisions to government agencies, boards and commissions. They have delegated their power out to unelected, unaccountable bodies, leaving a vacuum in place of administrative oversight.” Although the criminal investigation is presently seeded with unknowns, what is clear is that when Ministers prefer attending photo-ops rather than tending to Ministerial business, shady business practices are given the soil in which they grow.

Hillier points the finger at the Premier. “Ultimately the Premier must be held responsible, as it is he who has authorized his Cabinet to delegate their authority to parties subservient to the Legislative Assembly. How can the public hold a government to account that has outsourced their responsibilities?”

The recent Ecotax boondoggle is only the latest example; it follows a litany and pattern of neglect and irresponsibility, such as the $1 billion eHealth scandal, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming misconduct, the spending scandal at WSIB, recent changes to the MicroFIT progam, and now OPP investigations of numerous Ministries; the list keeps growing.

“The refusal of the Premier and his Ministers to provide effective administrative oversight for their responsibilities continues to cost the taxpayers of Ontario,” added Hillier. “The store is open, but the Ministers are out to lunch.”

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