On the first day of a snap election campaign, Ontario’s Progressive Conservative Party launched a new commercial laying out how the campaign could blur the lines between political party and government.
“When we know trouble is headed our way, we need a fighter — someone who protects us, our jobs and our family,” a party voiceover proclaims. “That’s Premier Doug Ford.”
It’s part of a strategy from the Progressive Conservatives that will see Ford head to Washington, D.C., twice over the next month — trying to campaign as party leader while projecting the image of a working premier at the same time.
While the party attempts to straddle the line, Ontario’s top civil servant has instructed Ford and cabinet ministers to avoid taking part in events that risk trampling on “conventions traditionally followed during an election period.”
The caretaker convention, invoked when the Ontario legislature is dissolved to ensure the seamless continuity of government, allows the premier and ministers to retain their titles but they can only exercise their cabinet roles during an election in situations where they won’t gain a campaign advantage.
A memo sent Tuesday by Michelle DiEmanuele, Ontario’s secretary of the cabinet, informed ministers they could take part in routine and non-controversial events and matters that are urgently in the public interest. They can also undertake ministerial actions agreed to by opposition parties.
“There may be circumstances where a particular situation or protocol requires a Minister’s involvement during the election period,” the memo said.
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“Such circumstances might include a provincial emergency or a national or international event or occurrence where the premier or minister are required to exercise their duties. Any such involvement and related activities will need to be cleared in advance with the Premier’s Office in consultation with my Office.”
Taking part in those events, however, must be done in a way that doesn’t benefit an election campaign, the cabinet secretary said.
“These rights, privileges and responsibilities are now exercised in accordance with the caretaker role of…
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