By JONATHAN JENKINS, QUEEN'S PARK BUREAU - Sun Media
16th September 2009,
"The purpose of the bill is to empower the integrity commissioner to review the expenses of the the senior exec at our 22 biggest ABCs," said McGuinty - under fire now for several months of spending scandals at eHealth Ontario and Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. "Specifically she will be given the authority to look at the expenses of the board of directors, the CEO, senior management and the five biggest spenders regardless of what job they might happen to hold."
It's just the latest in a series of steps the government has been rolling out over the past few weeks to respond to the scandals, which have involved untendered contracts to consultants and expensive meals and liquor being bought on the public dime.
The government is being sued by former OLG CEO Kelly McDougald for $8.8 million after she was fired Aug. 31.
McGuinty said the integrity commissioner, who already vets the expenses of cabinet ministers and political staff, will have to look over the spending of an additional 300 people.
"We want to ensure the leadership of all these organizations is leading by example," McGuinty said, adding most employees in both the Ontario Public Service and at the 615 arm's length ABCs are following the rules. "What we want to make sure is that everybody in facts understands the rules and is following the rules."
Tory MPP Peter Shurman said he believes the expense revelations scandal is the tip of the iceberg and the premier has no firm plan to deal with it.
"What we see here is a premier who is out of control," Shurman said. "This is panic mode that you're looking at."