RUNCIMAN: MCGUINTY MUST DEMAND CAPLAN’S RESIGNATION
Mishandling of “Lottogate” reveals weak leadership on part of McGuinty
(Brockville) – Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman today said that Dalton McGuinty must demand the resignation of David Caplan, the minister currently responsible for Ontario’s lottery system, and launched a petition drive to that effect.
“Caplan sat on his hands for months and did nothing to investigate allegations of millions in ripped-off lottery prizes,” said Runciman. “Dalton McGuinty and David Caplan were content to let these stories and rumours swirl uninvestigated until they got caught. If they really cared about the lottery-ticket buying public, they would have acted to correct the problems as soon as they became aware.”
Caplan claimed he didn’t become aware of the problems at the OLGC until 10 days before the “Fifth Estate” aired a program called “Luck of the Draw” that detailed how Bob Edmonds and others had lottery tickets stolen and the OLGC did nothing. Media reports have revealed that senior staff in Caplan’s office were notified of the problems more than six months before the Fifth Estate program aired. Instead of working to fix the problem, top Dalton McGuinty strategists led an effort to suppress the story.
“To have failed to act for at least six months after becoming aware of the scandal is an act of negligence at best. But this is the kind of weak leadership that people have come to expect from Dalton McGuinty and his government,” said Runciman.
“A true leader wouldn’t have ducked the problem,” said Runciman. “A true leader would have rolled up his sleeves and acted immediately to ensure that the trust people place in the lottery system was preserved. That won’t happen so long as Dalton McGuinty lets David Caplan stay in office.”
“I urge everybody in my riding to sign this petition, so we can let Dalton McGuinty know this minister must go.”
Petitions are available at the MPP’s constituency office in Brockville at 243 Perth Street. They can also be signed at Lane’s Smoke Shop in Prescott and Mrs. B’s Variety in downtown Brockville.
PETITION
TO The Legislative Assembly of Ontario: -
WHEREAS Dalton McGuinty and David Caplan ignored stories of millions in rip-offs within Ontario’s lottery system for months, if not years;
WHEREAS they acted only after they were caught and their first attempt was to “spin the scandal” rather than fix the problems;
WHEREAS Ontarians have every right to expect leadership from their government; and
WHEREAS Dalton McGuinty and David Caplan have failed to protect the integrity of the lottery system in Ontario
WE the undersigned petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows: -
That Dalton McGuinty start upholding the standards of integrity, responsibility and accountability, make the protection of the interests of all Ontarians a priority, and demand the resignation of David Caplan, the minister currently responsible for the lottery system.
