June 29th, 2022

NDP slams Ford for packing his gravy train with 43 parliamentary assistants

Conservatives get pay bumps aplenty, while everyday Ontarians struggle

QUEEN’S PARK — Peter Tabuns, interim leader of the Ontario NDP, said it’s shocking that Doug Ford is packing dozens of MPPs onto his gravy train with the appointment of 43 parliamentary assistants.

That’s up from 25 parliamentary assistants previously, almost doubling the number of MPPs that Ford is giving an annual pay bump of $16,666.65.

“It’s shocking that Doug Ford is inviting MPPs to climb aboard his gravy train two at a time — doubling up on parliamentary assistants on several portfolios and giving dozens of Conservatives a big pay bump,” said Tabuns. “Everyday Ontarians are getting crushed by the rising cost of living, and instead of helping them Mr. Ford and his Conservatives are helping themselves.

“Mr. Ford will have to answer for why he thinks so many of his MPPs should get cushy raises while holding back the wages of everyone else — including public sector workers like health care heroes."

Ford’s gravy train is getting crowded. He recently expanded his cabinet to 30 ministers, up from 21 in 2018. The pay bump for cabinet ministers is $49,300.65 per year.