Premier Doug Ford has announced that over $1 million in expenses will be trimmed from the premier’s office, along with a hiring freeze.
A memo obtained by City News from Ford’s chief of staff, Travis Kann, revealed that the office’s workforce has been reduced to 10 employees, resulting in savings of around $1,074,500.
Kann stated that these savings include moving personnel within the premier’s office or across different government departments as well as “saying goodbye to colleagues.”
The memo also mentioned that he would collaborate with other ministers’ offices to promote “comparable savings across the enterprise.” Kann encouraged chiefs to let him know if they think they can identify further savings in their own offices.
“Our government takes very seriously our responsibility to treat taxpayers with respect,” read the memo.
Ford confirmed this information during a press conference in Windsor on Thursday, stating, “You’ve got to lead by example.”
This announcement followed recent criticism aimed at some Toronto-area MPPs for charging taxpayers thousands for hotel stays in Toronto-something Ford labeled as “unacceptable.”
Government House Leader Steve Clark expressed his plan to eliminate the rule allowing MPPs living within 50 kilometers of Queen’s Park to claim expenses for Toronto hotel stays under special circumstances.
The province faced backlash earlier this year after purchasing a nearly $29-million private jet meant for travel by Ford and his ministers across Ontario and into Canada and the U. S.
A few days later, the Ford government announced plans to sell the plane, which ultimately cost them close to $200,000.
Queen’s Park is shown in Toronto, Monday, Feb. 20, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn Keep it Factual
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