Liberals want to ‘muzzle’ AG: MPP McDonell

SDSG MPP Jim McDonell. (MPP Office via Newswatch Group, File)

SD&SG – Local MPP Jim McDonell says the Liberal government is clearly trying to muzzle the independent watchdog when it comes to political advertising.

Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk warned Tuesday proposed changes would undermine her independent office and could lead to the public paying for partisan advertising. She says changes would make a “mockery” of an independent office of the legislature.

The proposed changes to legislation would reduce her office to rubber stamping government ads, she said, even if she feels they are partisan.

“The Liberals want to muzzle an independent officer of the Legislature in order to run political advertising on the taxpayers’ dime, even during an election campaign,” MPP McDonell stated.

McDonell says the new rules proposed in the budget would allow the government to “make up the stated benefits of its initiatives.”

“The Liberals are not content with raiding union members’ pockets for political advertising by the Working Families Coalition, so now they are now preparing to raid Ontario’s coffers for the same purpose,” McDonell added.

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