Ontario Premier Doug Ford revealed on Wednesday that he had no prior knowledge of the Progressive Conservative Party’s expenditure to surveil former Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie during her visit to Jamaica in 2023. Reports from The Trillium and POLICORNER disclosed that the party allegedly utilized nearly $3,000 from donors and taxpayers to conduct surveillance on Crombie at two luxury resorts in Jamaica, based on information from anonymous sources familiar with the operation.
The alleged surveillance reportedly occurred shortly after Crombie’s victory in the Liberal leadership race in December 2023, while she was vacationing in Jamaica for three days. Although CBC News has not independently verified the claims made by The Trillium and POLICORNER, the Ontario PC Party acknowledged conducting opposition research that involved a trip to Jamaica in December 2023.
Ford, during an unrelated press conference, disapproved of the alleged spying and stated that he addressed the issue with the party after learning about it on Wednesday. He emphasized that the expenses were covered by party funds, which are partly sourced from taxpayer money through per-vote subsidies received by political parties in Ontario.
When questioned about his awareness of the incident, Ford reiterated that he relies on his team to oversee appropriate spending, suggesting that he does not scrutinize every dollar during campaign periods. He expressed hope that such tactics would not be repeated in the future, advocating for fair and balanced elections.
Crombie declined to comment on the allegations but confirmed her vacation in Jamaica after the leadership contest in 2023, mentioning her stay at one of the resorts listed in the PC party’s 2023 financial report. The financial statement, obtained by CBC News from the NDP, detailed expenses at the Ocean Eden Bay and the Royalton Negril Hotel in Jamaica, without specifying the nature or timing of the spending.
Opposition party leaders, including NDP Leader Marit Stiles and interim Ontario Liberals Leader John Fraser, condemned the alleged spying as unacceptable and demanded accountability from Ford regarding the involvement of individuals in the surveillance operation. Stiles criticized the use of public funds for such activities, labeling it as reminiscent of unethical political practices. Fraser characterized the incident as an abuse of power and a serious breach of ethical conduct within the political landscape.
The situation has sparked discussions surrounding the boundaries of political ethics and the appropriate use of party resources for opposition research activities. Ford’s response to the controversy and the repercussions of the surveillance operation remain subjects of public scrutiny and debate.