RUNCIMAN REPEATS CALL FOR POLICE INVESTIGATION OF ‘SLUSHGATE’
Opposition Leader says McGuinty Liberals year-end spending spree never explained
(Queen’s Park) – Leader of the Opposition Bob Runciman today repeated his call for a police investigation into the McGuinty Liberals end-of-year spending spree.
“There has never been an explanation from the McGuinty Liberals as to how $32 million went out the door unaccounted for and much of it to Liberal friends,” said Runciman. “There is a clear need for the police to investigate. The people of Ontario deserve answers.”
Earlier this year, Runciman and NDP House Leader Peter Kormos (Niagara Centre) joined forces and sent a letter to the province’s Attorney General calling for a police investigation into the ‘Slushgate’ Affair. In late July, Ontario’s Auditor General released a review of the decision-making process used in the distribution of grants and confirmed financial misconduct by the government while also rejecting every explanation given by former Minister of Citizenship.
“The Auditor General did his job but he was limited in his investigation, leaving many unanswered questions,” said Runciman. “There has never been an explanation as to why this misconduct occurred.”
In the Legislature today, Runciman once again asked the Attorney General to call for a police investigation.
“Due to the nature of the misconduct involved and the Auditor General’s rejection of the government’s explanations for this boondoggle, criminal misconduct remains a potential explanation,” said Runciman. “The Attorney General’s duties are owed to the people of Ontario, not the Liberal party. A police investigation is the only answer.”
