Doug Ford justifies the selection of a lobbyist for a gun manufacturer to serve on the committee responsible for judge selection.

The official opposition in Ontario urges the Doug Ford government to retract appointments to a committee tasked with judge recommendations upon discovering the appointees also hold lobbyist registrations.

Tensions flared at Queen’s Park on Wednesday as Ontario Premier Doug Ford fielded inquiries regarding recent additions to the Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee.

“You guys are so weak, it makes me sick,” the premier said of the New Democratic Party.

“I’m not going to double down, I’m not going to triple down, I’m going to quadruple down to make sure that violent criminals go to jail.”

NDP Leader Marit Stiles criticized the inclusion of two Ford staffers on the judicial committee, branding it as “business as usual” for the Progressive Conservative government.

“Under this government, business as usual means insiders, donors, people with access come first every single time,” she said.

 

The inquiries arise following the selection of two former members of the premier’s staff for the judicial committee—individuals who maintain close ties to the government in their capacities as registered lobbyists.

Matthew Bondy, previously deputy chief of staff to Ford, is listed as a lobbyist with Enterprise Canada. He represents various clients, including Colt Canada, a subsidiary of the U.S. arms manufacturer Colt.

Another addition to the committee is Brock Vandrick, Ford’s former director of stakeholder relations, also registered as a lobbyist with clients such as the Ontario Forest Industries Association, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, and the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies.

The integrity commissioner’s office has clarified that being registered to lobby the government does not disqualify someone from serving on the judicial appointments committee or other boards. However, members must adhere to conflict of interest regulations.

Andrew Kennedy, spokesperson for the province’s Attorney General, stated that the two individuals were not registered to lobby their office.

“The appointments cleared and passed a rigorous conflict of interest screening process.”

The Ford administration insists on their prerogative to appoint “like-minded” individuals to the committee, tasked with reviewing applications and conducting interviews for Ontario court judges.

Subsequently, the committee forwards a list of recommendations to the office of Attorney General Doug Downey.

“Obviously, I want advice from those that I respect,”” Downey remarked earlier this week. “Shocking that a Conservative government wants to hear from Conservative voices.”

The premier even expressed his desire to appoint ‘like-minded judges’ who align with his stance on advocating for a stricter bail system.

Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie countered that this approach does not align with the principles of Canada’s justice system.

“The person Ford appoints to help pick judges is told to pick judges who will rule the way the Premier wants, and a few days later, he registers as a lobbyist to help get a gun manufacturer government grants,” Crombie said.

“Worse, it’s part of an intentional pattern. Doug Ford says he’s ‘for the people’ but what he’s really for is his rich, insider friends. He is not bumbling from one crisis to another. He is deliberately enacting a reckless Conservative agenda to help his Conservative cronies get ahead.”