MPPs go out with a bang

Also: New chief of staff, DM and MX exits, Ke sues, Clerk cracks, Ford brags, and out of the mouths of babes

ABOVE THE FOLD

SUMMERTIME SADNESS — MPPs are headed back to their ridings for the summer recess — and it’s going to be a long one.

They’re (scheduled) to get back at it on September 25, two weeks later than planned, in order to give MPPs a chance to hit up a major event in Ontario politics — the International Plowing Match. That means there could be some late-night sittings to make up the time.

No rest for the wicked: Committees are still convening throughout the break.

And the creek don’t rise: Despite a bit of desk-banging from the Official Opposition (which doesn’t have much in the way of delay tactics), the Ford government’s legislative agenda cleared due process and Lieutenant Governor ELIZABETH DOWDESWELL made a cameo to give a raft of bills Royal Assent.

That includes: Bill 112 — which green-lights Peel Region’s divorce by 2025 — and Bill 98 — which gives the government more oversight over school boards.

CLERK CRACKS — As we challenged them to do yesterday, MPPs managed to break