SCOOP: Mr. X's lobby ban, chiefs shuffle
And we're back!
ABOVE THE FOLD
In today’s jam-packed edition: Sources tell me the Integrity Commissioner is poised to release another report on the Greenbelt debacle, which will ban the consultant otherwise known as MR. X from lobbying for two years. Meanwhile, I got my hands on the new chiefs-of-staff roster and latest moves in the Premier’s Office. More PCs aren’t “too swamped” to be canvassing for their federal cousins, while Oppo critics sharpen their knives ahead of the new Parliament. And the House creaks back to life with a historic vote for Speaker, who will be a woman for the first time ever (scooped here). Let’s get to it.
First in Observer — NO LOBBYING FOR YOU, MR. X — It appears Ontario’s ethics watchdog is about to name and shame another Greenbelt-related lobbyist for breaking the rules.
That’s according to multiple sources who tell me that the Integrity Commissioner’s office is poised to slap a two-year lobbying ban on the not-so-mysterious Mr. X, who has been widely identified as the Maserati-driving, jiu jitsu-fighting former mayor of Clarington, JOHN MUTTON.
Back in 2023, Integrity Commish J. DAVID WAKE had raised bombshell concerns about potential unregistered lobbying by Mutton, referred to only as “Mr. X,” who wanted to take political staffers out for golf, lunches, and even a Raptors game.
Now, sources tell me the watchdog will publicly name Mutton and issue a two-year lobbying ban as soon as this week. One date floating around out there is April 15, but take that with a grain of salt because these things are typically kept hush-hush.
I obtained a letter Mutton wrote to Wake earlier this year regarding the forthcoming report. In it, Mutton denies “the findings of non-compliance with the Lobbyists Registration Act” but says that he will not seek “reconsideration” of the decision “in the interests of my personal well-being and that of my business and employees.”
“I maintain that I acted in compliance with lobbying regulations and requirements for my consulting work,” Mutton went on to say. He also alleges that “in many instances, I was solicited by public officials to share my expertise, not the other way around.”
Mutton also took issue with what he calls Wake’s characterization of him as a “principal character” and “the fall guy” in the Greenbelt scandal back in 2023, before Mutton had been interviewed. That was “completely unfair,” Mutton wrote.
But now that he’s had a chance to meet with and present evidence to the watchdog, Mutton is facing a two-year suspension from lobbying the provincial government — one of the toughest penalties Wake can impose.
Wake, who’s retiring, recently released a report regarding NICO FIDANI-DIKER, a former aide to Premier DOUG FORD who was also found breaking the rules by failing to disclose his attempts to get developer clients’ lands removed from the Greenbelt, hitting up government officials that were his friends, and even proffering hockey tickets. Fidani-Diker has said such “oversights” were his responsibility and took place when he was just starting up his consulting firm.
Fidani-Diker was named, but not banned from lobbying. Oppo critics said that amounted to a slap on the wrist.
Questions abound: Mutton’s letter is short on specifics when it comes to the exact lobbying violations he’s been sanctioned for. We won’t get the full picture until the commissioner’s report is out, and even then, Wake could choose to only publish a brief summary. More to come…
Hot off the presses! — MEET THE CHIEFS — Just in time for the Legislature’s return, the Ford government is shaking up ministerial chiefs of staff.
DOUG FORD’s chief PATRICK SACKVILLE circulated the memo on Sunday. “With a renewed cabinet, a strong team of parliamentary assistants, and a clear mandate from the people of Ontario, we are positioned to hit the ground running, starting with the Speech from the Throne this Tuesday and a packed legislative agenda to follow.”
Who’s who: CAM VIDLER is on his way out as chief of staff to Finance Minister PETER BETHLENFALVY, “having accepted an exciting C-suite role in the private sector.” Asked about the timing — just ahead of the spring budget — one insider noted the “budget is done anyway.” Vidler is also hanging around until April 25, when BLAIR HAINS will take up the mantle as Bethlenfalvy’s chief.
Hains is an up-and-comer — he was most recently chief at Health, ditto at Education and Long-Term Care before that. Hains also ran the successful byelection campaign for Associate Solicitor General for Auto Theft and Bail Reform ZEE HAMID in Milton (here’s what Hains got paid for that).
RAMNEEK BALA is making a comeback as executive director of budget to Bethlenfalvy. Bala was most recently at StrategyCorp and previously worked at Treasury Board.
ALEXANDRA ADAMO is stepping up as acting chief of staff to Health Minister SYLVIA JONES. It’s not her first rodeo: Adamo’s been rising through the ranks as Jones’s D-comms, executive D-comms, then deputy chief. Prior to that that, she did stints in PO and at Education. SARANJA NEELANANTHASIVAM, meanwhile, becomes chief to Associate Mental Health and Addictions Minister VIJAY THANIGASALAM.
Another buzzworthy exit…