Stiles fights for accountability, introduces law to stop Ford’s cash-for-access culture

QUEEN’S PARK – Leader of the Official Opposition Marit Stiles has introduced a Private Member’s Bill (PMB) as a clear, simple fix to strengthen the Member’s Integrity Act and stamp out influence peddling in government business.

“The Ford Conservatives’ troubling pattern of behaviour is eroding public trust in government,” Stiles said. “They continually make decisions that benefit a select number of insiders with close ties to the Premier while the needs of regular Ontarians are ignored.”

“My bill is a simple solution that would begin to restore that trust and stop Ford’s return to a cash-for-access culture at Queen’s Park,” Stiles said.

Stiles’ bill, The Strengthening Members’ Integrity Act, 2023 would ensure that a member of the Legislative Assembly could not accept a fee, gift or personal benefit that might reasonably be seen to have been given in connection, directly or indirectly, with the performance of the member’s duties of office.

“Ontarians deserve integrity, transparency and accountability from the people they’ve chosen to represent them in public office. That’s exactly what this bill will ensure,” said Stiles.

Stiles’ bill would implement a recommendation from Ontario’s Integrity Commissioner, who is currently probing several government decisions that seem to have benefitted Conservative Party insiders.

“As leaders, we have a responsibility and obligation to avoid not only a conflict of interest, but also the appearance of a conflict of interest,” Stiles said. “That is the standard in nearly every other sector – it’s time that we have it for Members of Provincial Parliament, too.”