TORONTO -- A former legislator in Doug Ford's government alleges he was expelled from the Progressive Conservative party for raising concerns about unregistered lobbying by the premier's close friends and advisers.
Randy Hillier makes that allegation in an open letter in which he also claims his ejection from the party came after he pushed back against party operatives who are constraining the voices of elected politicians.
The premier has said the veteran politician was suspended for comments he made as parents of children with autism packed the legislature's galleries in protest of the government's recent funding changes.
But more recently, the government has also accused Hillier of not being a "team player'' and criticized his attendance at the legislature.
Hillier says he was punished for a variety of activities including refusing to obtain permission to speak to the media and for failing to stand and applaud the government during legislative sessions.
He alleges he was also condemned by the party for not seeking permission to attend his brother's funeral.
Simon Jefferies, the spokesperson for the Premier's Office, issued a rebuttal, saying "everything Randy Hiller outlined in his letter is an outright lie."
Jefferies offered a point-by-point rebuttal of Hillier's claims and added, "If any of this letter was true, why didn’t Randy Hillier quit caucus on principle or raise these issues with the Premier?"
Both Hillier's letter and Jefferies' response are below
Randy Hillier / Twitter
Randy Hiller / Twitter
Randy Hillier / Twitter
“Everything Randy Hillier outlined in his letter is an outright lie. These fabrications are absurd and categorically false.
“This further shows Randy Hillier never wanted to be a true member of our PC team despite repeated attempts by Premier Ford to engage him as an important member of our caucus. In fact, Premier Ford made overtures to Randy Hillier since the election to encourage his participation, including naming him as a committee chair.
“If any of this letter was true, why didn’t Randy Hillier quit caucus on principle or raise these issues with the Premier. Instead he launched a PR campaign begging to get back into Caucus. He even went as far as launching a website and an e-mail campaign.
“It’s disappointing and disheartening that Randy Hillier refuses to take responsibility for his own actions.”
In response to Mr. Hillier’s specific allegations:
- Dean French said he wanted him out of caucus in August
- False. In fact following that meeting, the Premier and senior Premier’s Office staff made the decision to offer Randy Hillier one of our few committee chair positions which is a senior role within caucus that comes with additional remuneration.
- His refusal to breach oath of office
- False. We are unaware of what Mr. Hillier is talking about, but no one would ever ask that of an elected official. We take the oath of office very seriously.
- Not allowing caucus criticism and input
- False. We regularly engage caucus, encourage caucus discussion and have caucus committees for every ministry. Unfortunately, Randy Hillier rarely showed up to these meetings.
- Demanding more speaking time in the Legislature
- False. Every single time Mr. Hillier asked to speak he was put into the speaking line-up. We would encourage Mr. Hillier to share a single time he was told he was not allowed to speak in the House.
- Permission to speak to media
- False. We regularly encourage our members to engage with media. What is not appreciated is leaking confidential caucus conversations and speaking off the record to attack the government.
- Not attending convention
- False. Almost every other member of caucus attended and was able to schedule meetings around the event.
- Not standing and applauding
- False. No one records who stands and applauds.
- Changes to committee
- False. Also, Mr. Hillier requested additional remuneration and a per-diem for his committee. We don’t think taxpayers would consider giving Mr. Hillier a raise “an improvement”.
- Participation in social media videos
- False. We ask all members to participate in social media videos. Caucus participation is voluntary.
- Lobbying.
- False. This is an outright lie.
- Bi-partisan committee
- False. What is this committee? Have they met? We aren’t aware of anything this group has done since it formed over a podcast.
- Brother’s funeral
- False. Everyone deserves the proper bereavement and would be afforded the right to do-so.