Fundraising watch: Fringe parties rake it in
Plus: Fine-print on Bill 84, Standing Order shakeup, full bench in the House, NDP cry partisan appointment, 2022 ticket shapes up, not-so-good news for gig workers, support for Ukraine and veterans
ABOVE THE FOLD
It’s another makeover for the Standing Order rulebook laying out legislative goings-on, and labour advocates are poking holes in the PCs latest gig-worker-friendly proposals — but first: fringe parties are raking it in as fundraising machines rev up ahead of the campaign.
FUNDRAISING WATCH — The election countdown is on, and all political parties are kicking fundraising efforts into high gear, bombarding would-be supporters with pricey events, email blasts and phone calls with just over two months to go until campaign kick-off.
— Why it matters: Campaigns cost money, and the more in a party’s cash arsenal, the more resources they’ll have for advertising, tours and other vote-grabbing tactics.
Here’s how the parties stack up, according to Elections Ontario’s real-time disclosures.
— For the PCs — typically the highest-earning fundraisers — it’s been a lucrative start to 2022. So far, the party has earned $626,253.29 — far outpacing their political rivals. The average donation was $916 from 684 donors. That’s a drop in the bucket compared to what the party has in the bank — in 2021, they pulled in a whopping $8,584,271.23 total.
— The NDP placed second, but it’s not even close. The Official Opposition has raised $95,088.90 this year, with a much lower average donation of $245 from nearly 400 supporters. A big caveat: The NDP tend to be the party of smaller donors, and Elections Ontario doesn’t readily disclose contributions under $200, so the party says its internal figures are much higher. Last year, New Democrats raked in $1,975,276.76 overall (not counting the under-$200s).
— The third-place Grits are closing the gap after a poor showing early last year (a measly $244,000 in Q2). Thus far, the Liberals have added $146,525 to their coffers in 2022 — out-fundraising the NDP by the official count — with an average contribution of $512 from 287 donors. Last spring, the party said it had paid off its $10 million debt from the 2018 election in which they were decimated to seven seats. That same year, they raked in $1,784,660.37.
As for the narrow gap between the Official Opposition and third-place Grits: “I don’t know who it’s more embarrassing for,” says one insider at Queen’s Park.
— The Greens continue to punch above their weight. The party with a lone MPP in the House has earned $54,832.81 so far this year, with 122 donors coughing up $453 on average. They closed out 2021 with $833,643.91 in contributions.
— And the fringe: Tory spin-off parties like the New Blues — helmed by turfed PC BELINDA KARAHALIOS (Cambridge) — and the Ontario Party, which counts ousted MPP RICK NICHOLLS (Chatham—Kent—Leamington) among its ranks — are making bank.
This year, the New Blues have earned $40,189, after bringing in $306,863 last year. The Ontario Party pulled in $60,777 so far in 2022 and $163,110 total last year.
— Wondering about the Independents, like ROMAN BABER and RANDY HILLIER? We won’t know until year-end financial statements are released, likely after the election, as they’re excluded from the real-time disclosure rules registered parties must abide by. Context: Independents can now fundraise beyond the campaign period thanks to PC election finance law changes and a legal push by Hillier.
— An unprecedented situation: If Hillier gets his Ontario First Party officially certified, his Independent riding association will get deregistered, and any funds left over after paying outstanding debts will be handed over to the Chief Electoral Officer, GREG ESSENSA, who holds them in a trust for the constituency association for two years. If the constit association is re-registered within that time, the funds can be returned. If not, Essensa keeps the cash to help carry out his regular duties.
HAPPENING TODAY
— 9 a.m.: An announcement about public transit affordability in Mississauga from Associate Transportation Minister STAN CHO, Education Minister STEPHEN LECCE, area MPP NINA TANGRI (Mississauga—Streetsville) and Mayor BONNIE CROMBIE.
— 9 a.m.: Heritage Minister LISA MACLEOD, local MPP PRABMEET SARKARIA (Brampton South), Brampton Mayor PATRICK BROWN and members of BILL DAVIS’s family will make an announcement honouring the late former premier on the 51st anniversary of his swearing-in ceremony.
— 9:30 a.m.: Labour Minister MONTE MCNAUGHTON and Associate Mental Health Minister MICHAEL TIBOLLO make an announcement about protections for workers in Toronto.
— 10 a.m.: Liberal Leader STEVEN DEL DUCA is in the Media Studio to discuss new government legislation.
— 5:30 p.m.: PC supporters rub elbows with MPP LAURIE SCOTT (Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock) for $500 a head. Invite.
— 6:30 p.m.: DEL DUCA headlines a $500-a-ticket fundraiser in support of York Centre candidate, lawyer SHELLEY BROWN, featuring a who’s who of ex-politicos: former MP ART EGGLETON and former MPPs GREG SORBARA and JOHN WILKINSON.
ON THE ORDER PAPER
THE HOUSE IS IN — And it’s back to full benches, with the Covid-prompted cohorting system kaput. The timing couldn’t be better for the PCs, who are cutting it close when it comes to their majority after losing two more MPPs in ROD PHILLIPS and JEFF YUREK.
In case you missed our scoop, Speaker TED ARNOTT has also lifted proof-of-vaccination (or negative test) entry requirements for the Legislative Precinct, along with the rest of the province today.
— First up this morning is debate on PC House Leader PAUL CALANDRA’s big motion shaking up the Standing Orders (again) — the rulebook for legislative proceedings and decorum. Among other things, Calandra’s motion scraps the Standing Committee on Regulation and Private Bills as we know it, morphing it into the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly, which will know be dubbed the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs. Private Bills will be able to bypass the committee stage (unless they’re particularly contentious or complicated) and pass into law after sitting on the Order Paper for a month. It also allows other committees — not just Estimates — to study said Estimates.
Meanwhile, committees themselves are getting a makeover, with an eye to better reflecting the standings in the House. If there’s three or more recognized parties in a parliament, every committee will have two vice chairs. Parties still need 12 seats to gain official status (as it stands, only the PCs and NDP are recognized, but that could change after the election).
The motion also clips the parliamentary calendar so that the House rises on the same day the campaign kicks off, on May 4.
It’s not the first time Calandra has tweaked the Standing Orders — and ticked off Oppo MPPs in doing so, which I wrote about here.
— After Question Period, Bill 84 continues to chug through third reading — that’s the PCs latest red-tape reduction package, which refunds licence plate renewal fees and pushes back the budget deadline to April 30. (More on this below.)
— Later on, the NDP’s critic for Veterans, Legions and Military Affairs, JENNIE STEVENS, will move a backbench motion calling on the Ford government to end the automatic deduction of federal disability award payments from Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program benefits received by injured veterans.
Fun Fact: Stevens is a staunch supporter of veteran causes, not least because her son has been in the navy for over a decade.
ON THE COMMITTEE CIRCUIT — Two government appointees get grilled at the Standing Committee on Government Agencies this morning: MARY HENEIN THORN — former federal Conservative candidate and vice-chair of the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s board of directors — will talk about her role as a member of the Licence Appeal Tribunal. DOMINIQUE GIGUÈRE — Deputy Mayor of the Township of Malahide, in Elgin County, is up to discuss her position as a member of the Ontario French-Language Educational Communications Authority.
☕ Like your breakfast with a side of #onpoli chatter? Join pollster GREG LYLE of Innovative Research Group and yours truly as we tee up the election campaign with the savvy folks at Sussex Strategy Group on Thursday. RSVP.
MAKING HEADLINES
— NOT ALL GIG WORKERS: Labour advocates are poking holes in the Working for Workers Act, Labour Minister MONTE MCNAUGHTON’s latest worker-friendly bill that hit the Clerk’s Table yesterday. The pre-election proposal would give app-based workers, such as Uber couriers, a $15 minimum wage and allow them to keep their tips on top of their base pay.
But that only applies to active hours — which means the driver must be making a delivery or transporting a passenger in order to get that wage.
The legislation also aims to shed more light on how workers get paid, requiring digital platforms to provide written information on how their pay is calculated, the consequences of poor ratings, how and when tips are collected, and the factors determining whether they’re offered gigs or not.
— PARTISAN PAY BUMP: The NDP is demanding to know why JEFFERY LANG — the new head of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, a PC Party donor and failed Conservative candidate — got a $66,000 pay raise over his predecessor. “Yet again, Ford is rewarding his buddies with cushy appointments and huge salaries at the expense of Ontarians,” said Labour critic PEGGY SATTLER. Lang earns $444,000 a year in the role. He was previously a provincial appointee on the London Police Services Board and owns a manufacturing company.
— MORE FOR UKRAINE: Hammered by Oppo critics to provide more funds for Ukraine, House Leader PAUL CALANDRA says the PCs will do just that. “More needs to be done,” he told the Legislature. “As we review how we can assist, additional aid will be coming from the province.”
— RIGHT TO READ: A sweeping report from the Ontario Human Rights Commission says Ontario “is not fulfilling its obligations to meet students’ right to read,” including those with disabilities such as dyslexia. Among the 157 recommendations for the Ministry of Education: adopting a new kindergarten program and a new language curriculum for Grades 1 to 8 “that features direct and systematic instruction in foundational reading skills.” Full report.
— IN THE FEDERAL ARENA: Speculation abounds as the federal Conservatives embark on the hunt for a new leader. That includes Brampton Mayor and ex-PC leader PATRICK BROWN, who’s flirting with a high-stakes bid.
— ALL BARK, NO BITE: “Queen’s Park needs better tools to deal with rogue MPPs.” John Michael McGrath makes the case at TVO.org: “RANDY HILLIER urged followers to flood Ottawa police with false 911 calls and called a federal minister a terrorist. What has Queen’s Park done in response? Not a heck of a lot.”
— BUDGET ASK: Four big asks from the Toronto Region Board of Trade when it comes to the PCs upcoming budget: Ensuring businesses can stay open by allowing Ontarians to “live with the virus” — Building a regional economic strategy based on data to track place-specific impacts of the pandemic — Ending exclusionary zoning policies to build “missing middle” housing in cities with a population of more than 30,000 — Invest in fare and service integration to improve regional transit. Full submission.
— OH DEER: “Researchers believe they have found the first-ever instance of a deer passing the coronavirus to a human, warning that broader surveillance of wildlife is needed to prevent further mutations from developing and spreading undetected.” The Guardian reports.
MOVERS AND SHAKERS
CLERKS AT THE TABLE — CHRISTOPHER TYRELL has been appointed senior clerk of committees and as a permanent Clerk at the Table — the big counter in the middle of the chamber where bills, motions, petitions and all other important documents pass through. The Queen’s Park crowd will know Tyrell from his gig as committee clerk in procedural services branch.
AEFO — ANNE VINET-ROY will remain at the helm of AEFO, the association representing Franco-Ontarian teachers, after being reelected to a second two-year term that officially begins September 1. Bio.
2022 — The NDP’s competition in Oshawa is shaping up. The PCs have nominated ALEXANDRA DOWN, a local real estate agent who sits on the Ontario Real Estate Association’s party committee.
— The Greens have their candidate in Spadina—Fort York, which is currently repped by the NDP’s CHRIS GLOVER. That would be CARA DES GRANGES — who’s worked in the civil service and non-profit sectors, ditto at Elections Ontario — and who the party says has spent “much of her career increasing civic literacy and participation.”
— Over in Orleans, the Greens nominated their challenger to Liberal STEPHEN BLAIS: MICHELLE PETERSEN, director of operations at Action ontarienne contre la violence faite aux femmes — a provincial umbrella group for francophone services that support victims and survivors of violence.
QUESTION PERIOD
GHOSTED — No Premier DOUG FORD — who was at a ghost kitchen in Toronto announcing the gig-worker bill — but a raucous debate nonetheless. The NDP hammered the PCs on Lang’s $66,000 pay bump at the WSIB and putting up more support for Ukraine — which the PCs say they’re going to do.
THE HIGHLIGHTS: Upping support for Ukraine from $300,000 to $3 million — “Secretly” ripping up the 25 per cent made-in-Ontario content requirement, making it only 10 per cent for the Ontario Line — Not including hiring targets for Black, Indigenous and other equity-seeking groups in transit tunnelling contracts — JEFFREY LANG’s $66,000 pay bump at the WSIB — Better protections and affordable housing for tenants — Cash to clear the surgery backlog — What’s the hold-up on a $10-a-day child-care deal with the feds? — Covering dental procedures through OHIP — Fix the Northern Health Travel Grant’s laggy appeals system.
REGULATORY ROUNDUP
On Tuesdays, we roundup the government’s latest proposals on the regulatory registry — where the nitty-gritty of policymaking is hammered out. This week it’s all about the fine print for Bill 84, the Tories latest red-tape reduction package.
MORE APPEALS — The proposal: “Amend the Licence Appeal Tribunal Act and add the Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act to the statute. MTO plans to bring forward a regulation to provide for the Licence Appeal Tribunal to hear TSSEA certificate appeals…[and] provide a necessary route for further appeals of LAT decisions to the Divisional Court.” Deadline for public feedback: February 28.
CHARGING MINING CONSULTATIONS — Proposal: “To include consultation-related costs in the list of eligible expenses for the retention of proceeds from the testing of mineral content on leases, licences, and other mining lands.” Deadline: February 28.
CAUGHT RED-HANDED — Proposal: “To create Administrative Monetary Penalties for vehicle-based infractions captured by automated cameras.” Deadline: March 15.
MAKEOVER AT LAURENTIAN U — Proposal: “Reduce the Board of Governors size to 16 (5 appointees + 1 president + 10 other members) from 25 members…and to clarify that the Lieutenant Governor In Council [cabinet] can fill mid-term vacancies among LGIC-appointed members.” Deadline: February 28.
EASING UP THE BURDEN ON BIZ — A bunch of proposals: “To make processes more transparent, reduce approval times, and improve the overall business experience when seeking government approvals for applications, permits, and licences.” More: “Require public sector buyers to give preference to Ontario businesses when conducting procurement processes for goods and services under specified threshold amounts.” Also: “To establish a ‘Centre of Realty Excellence’ within the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services.”
FIRST NATIONS KID CARE — Proposal: “To create a framework that: increases access to customary care for First Nations, Inuit and Métis children; implements circles of supportive persons for First Nations, Inuit and Métis children and their families; and defines the role of prevention-focused Indigenous service providers within Ontario's child and family services system.” Deadline: February 28.
TOLLS, OUT — Proposal: “Remove Highways 412 and 418 from the Highway 407 East Act and thereby remove them as toll highways, effective June 1, 2023.” Deadline: April 8.
⏳ COUNTDOWN: T-minus 93 days until the Election…64 days until the official start of the 2022 campaign…60 days until the budget is (now legally) due out.