What we know about the closed-door PC convention
Hospitality suites, exec acclamations, constitutional changes, duelling delegates and more
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ABOVE THE FOLD
DOUG FORD is trekking to the capital to meet with his fellow Premiers and the Prime Minister over the next two days. Meanwhile, to mark Data Privacy Day, I spoke with an AI expert on why he believes Ontario is already playing catch-up on the policy front. But first…
SCOOP — PCs PARTY PRIMER — Ontario’s Progressive Conservatives may have banned media from their party convention that kicks off Friday at the Toronto Congress Centre in Etobicoke, Ford’s favourite venue, but I’ve sleuthed around and gleaned some juicy tidbits.
Who’s who: PC Party president MICHAEL DIAMOND will be acclaimed for another term. He’s running a slate for the executive council election, which is essentially a coronation — Diamond’s crew, which includes nine Vice Presidents and regional reps, were unopposed. The executive council is in charge of how a party operates, overseeing everything from candidate nominations to fundraising.
The slate includes familiar party brass like EMILY MORPHET (chief of staff to Indigenous Affairs Minister GREG RICKFORD and the party’s 8th VP)…ROB ELLIOTT (current Counsel Public Affairs VP and former senior staffer, party policy chair, and byelection candidate), who’s replacing PHILIP POWER as RVP Central West….CHRIS LORETO (former government staffer and current 1st VP at the party who’s also a principal at StrategyCorp). Word on the street is STEPHANIE FORD, an intern in the Solicitor General’s office and daughter of the late ROB FORD, is also on the ticket.
Not running again is ALEX CORELLI, who was 9th VP. Last fall, Corelli was suspended from his role on the Conservative Party of Canada’s national council after a complaint about his treatment of a young volunteer (per the Globe).
Duelling delegates: As first reported in this newsletter, the PCs last said they were expecting over 1,000 attendees — which some insiders suggest is a relatively weak number. They’re competing for delegates with their federal cousins, who are also gathering this weekend in Calgary where Conservative captain PIERRE POILIEVRE faces a leadership review. Some insiders speculated that the provincial party was expecting more candidates to show up, which might explain why they kept the early bird ticket price of $299. Catch up.
And speaking of the federal convention: Ex-PC MPP CHRISTINA MITAS is gunning for national CPC president (via The Hill Times). Mitas previously worked for Diamond’s lobbying firm Upstream.
Constitutional changes: There’s so far no bombshells in the proposed constitutional amendments that will go for a vote on the convention floor. Of note: Francophone Affairs Minister CAROLINE MULRONEY has put forward an amendment that would ensure the party’s 2nd VP is a Francophone. Fine print.
Hospitality suites: Perhaps the most fun part of an annual general meeting is the hospitality suites, afterparties where members can let loose after a day of policy and political workshops. Here’s who’s hosting the suites at a nearby hotel:
Friday night — The Durham Suite (“they put on a good one every time,” according to one delegate)…The Ontario Real Estate Association’s Winter Olympic Lounge…The Big Blue Bash 4.0, put on by Ministers JILL DUNLOP, CAROLINE MULRONEY and STEPHEN LECCE.
Saturday night — The Twin Blues Suite, featuring MPPs MOHAMED FIRIN and GRAHAM McGREGOR…The Open for Business event, hosted by Geppetto Technologies, the canvassing company that’s received hefty payouts (and then some) during campaign season…The Southwestern Suite, with MPP headliners ROB FLACK, BOB BAILEY, TREVOR JONES, ANTHONY LEARDI and ANDREW DOWIE.
On the docket: A highlight of the three-day event will be a fireside chat with DOUG FORD and dinner with the Leader on Saturday evening. There’s also a welcome reception with caucus, a “Protecting Ontario”-themed policy forum, a post-election awards ceremony honouring key organizers, voting on constitutional amendments, and elections for the youth and women wings of the party. The new executive will be officially announced Sunday morning. Full agenda.
As regular readers will know by now, MPPs MONICA CIRIELLO and MATTHEW RAE are co-chairing the affair.
HAPPENING TODAY
DOUG FORD’S WEDNESDAY — 12:30 p.m.: The Premier continues his announcement streak ahead of the Council of the Federation’s winter meeting in Ottawa today. Ford is up alongside New Brunswick Premier SUSAN HOLT and CRAIG BELL ESTABROOKS, president and CEO for Port Saint John.
Tonight: Prime Minister MARK CARNEY will host dinner for the Premiers (no word on whether pizza is on the menu) ahead of the formal First Ministers’ Meeting on Thursday.
8 a.m.: Financial Accountability Officer JEFFREY NOVAK will release a review of the province’s 10-year capital plan, which was laid out in last year’s budget.
9 a.m.: Energy Minister STEPHEN LECCE is making an announcement in Toronto alongside Indigenous Affairs Minister GREG RICKFORD and First Nation heavyweights: Chief YVETTE METANSININE of Animbiigoo Zaagi-igan Anishinaabek First Nation…Chief GLADYS THOMPSON of Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaaek First Nation… Chief PAUL GLADU of Bingwi Neyaashi Anishnaabek First Nation…and Chief ALLAN ODAWA JR of Red Rock Indian Band.
CYCLISTS IN COURT — 10 a.m.: The Ford government’s lawyers are at the Court of Appeal in the hopes of overturning a lower court ruling from last summer that deemed their law banning certain bike lanes in Toronto was unconstitutional because it threatened cyclist safety. The original challenge was brought by Cycle Toronto. Livestream.
10 a.m.: Greens MIKE SCHREINER and AISLINN CLANCY are glad-handing around their turf in Kitchener. Stops include an Ontario Trillium Foundation event announcing funding for an upgraded facility, mobile learning lab and training for frontline workers in Development Services…affordable housing non-profit Willowside Co-op…a meeting with renters facing unfair evictions…a sit-down with Yes In My Backyard member MELISSA BOWMAN.
10:30 a.m.: Parents and advocates of students with disabilities are in the Media Studio to provide an update on the “worsening plight of their children in Ontario schools.” Featuring: DAVID LEPOFSKY (AODA Alliance chair)…BRUCE McINTOSH (Ontario Autism Coalition’s founding president)…JULIA EVANGELISTO (co-chair of Ontario Parents for Education Supports).
ON THE COMMITTEE CIRCUIT
10 a.m.: The Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs (a.k.a. skuh-fee-ah) continues the northern leg of its pre-budget consultation tour in Thunder Bay. On the witness roster: Lakehead University, Ontario Nurses’ Association, Good Roads, Ontario SPCA and Humane Society, and the rest. SCOFEA hits up Sudbury tomorrow.
COCKTAIL CHATTER
6 p.m.: Liberal MPP and rumoured leadership contender LEE FAIRCLOUGH is hosting a post-budget-committee happy hour at the Red Lion Smokehouse in Thunder Bay…Other would-be Grit leadership candidates ADIL SHAMJI and ROB CERJANEC, plus MPP STEPHANIE SMYTH, are hosting a budget committee pre-game meet and greet at Aroma India Cuisine in Sudbury.
7 p.m.: New Democrats in Burlington are holding their AGM.
CLIPPINGS
— ICE, ICE…MAYBE: Premier DOUG FORD is distancing himself from a Brampton-headquartered company selling military vehicles to immigration enforcement in the United States, a few weeks after he called the agreement “fantastic.” As NDP Leader MARIT STILES demands the contract should not be fulfilled, Ford said it’s beyond the province’s control. More from Global.
At the podium: While in Brantford to announce $85 million for metal manufacturer Massilly, Ford was asked to weigh in on DONALD TRUMP’s latest 100-per-cent tariff threat. “It’d be a disaster if he did that. But I gotta remind President Trump that…it would devastate their economy. We’re their number one customer in the entire world.”
Moment of levity: Trade Minister VIC FEDELI did his best impression of a dog after Ford said he’s like a “pit bull” when it comes to securing manufacturing deals.
— QUESTIONABLE CASH: “Ontario Provincial Police have launched another criminal investigation into an organization that received millions of dollars from Premier Doug Ford’s government.” More from the Star: “Jake’s House, which says it focuses on programs for people with autism, is being investigated by the OPP anti-rackets squad based on funding it received from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.” More on that.
— HOSPITALS ON THE BRINK: “A new report is warning that Ontario hospitals will be dealing with longer wait times, rushed care and overcrowding due to funding shortfalls by the provincial government.” CUPE’s Ontario Council of Hospital Unions, the largest health care union in the province, was at Queen’s Park Tuesday to talk about it. CTV News has the details.
— BEACH BREAKUP: “The Ontario government is moving ahead with plans to transfer management of 60 per cent of Wasaga Beach from the province to the town, despite receiving feedback from thousands of Ontarians decrying the proposal as potentially endangering sensitive piping plover habitat and affecting beach access.” The Narwhal’s got the story.
— CROSSTOWN COUNTDOWN: The CEO of the TTC is cooling expectations about a February 8 opening for the long-awaited Crosstown LRT, refusing to rule out a possible spring opening to avoid winter disruptions, a la the Finch West. CityNews reports.
That said: While breaking ground on the Bowmanville GO station, Transportation Minister PRABMEET SARKARIA told reporters the Crosstown won’t have the same problems as the Finch West LRT. For one: “the system has been thoroughly tested and there’s been ‘millions of miles that have been put on that, from a testing perspective.’”
“He also said the Crosstown is ‘much different from the Finch West LRT,’ pointing out around 11 kilometres of the Crosstown is underground. The Finch LRT, which has been hampered by weather and traffic problems, is completely above ground.” More from CP24.
— THE ART OF THE DEAL: The Globe’s zeroing in on the resignations that rocked the AGO after a failed NAN GOLDIN acquisition. The latest: “The internal push to prevent the Art Gallery of Ontario from acquiring a work by photographer-activist Nan Goldin last year — which has led to four resignations — was prompted by the philanthropic executive JUDY SCHULICH.” Go deeper.
— PRAISE THE ROOF: “Officials won’t say for sure if the roof of the Ontario Science Centre survived a historic snowstorm in Toronto over the weekend, although the iconic building appears unharmed.” Recall: Concerns about the roof collapsing was a major factor in moving the OSC to the waterfront. Via Global.
— MR. X FILES: In his latest podcast, JOHN MUTTON, the infamous “Mr. X” from the Integrity Commissioner’s bombshell Greenbelt report (and who’s currently banned from lobbying), rips into ex-Ford government staffer RYAN AMATO for fighting the Privacy Commish over the use of his personal emails to conduct government business. Watch.
— HINT, HINT: Wannabe Liberal leadership candidate ERIC LOMBARDI says he’s stepping down from housing advocacy groups More Neighbours Toronto, where he was president, and Build Toronto, where he was chair. It’s another clue that Lombardi is getting serious about entering the race to replace BONNIE CROMBIE, as holding those positions could pose a conflict of interest.
— DOLCE VITA OF OVERSIGHT: Ontario Ombudsman PAUL DUBÉ took part in “Voci in Ascolto”, an interview series led by Italian ombudsmen. Andiamo!
THE PEOPLE’S CONSULTATION ON AI
Today is Data Privacy Day, but for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association’s TAMIR ISRAEL, there’s not much to celebrate. I spoke with the director of privacy, surveillance and technology about the urgent need for independent AI vetting, why Ontario is already lagging behind, and the launch of a grassroots consultation to reclaim the digital rights of Ontarians. Highlights:
On government action (or lack thereof) and regulatory gaps: Israel said the Information and Privacy Commissioner PATRICIA KOSSEIM’s AI guide, recently released alongside the Ontario Human Rights Commission, fills the vacuum left by the Ford government, which is still working on its own regulations.
“The government has dropped the ball on AI in the sense that we do actually need a coherent framework in place...One hasn’t been forthcoming, and that means agencies are stuck doing what they can with the tools they have.”
“We’re rushing towards a heightened level of adoption right now, so it’s a really, really, urgent need to have the tools in place…We’re already late on this one.”
On the risks: One of Israel’s big concerns is how AI can automate and hide discriminatory practices in a way that is difficult for citizens to challenge. Policing, criminal justice, and employment are just some of the areas where AI can quickly become problematic.
“These AI tools have discriminatory bias built into them. What we often see is that that bias gets automated and basically cycled through in ways that the person implementing it may not even be aware of.”
“The people making decisions are under pressure to make faster and faster decisions, and these tools are summarizing everything and providing them with suggestions…It becomes very difficult, then, to challenge both the decision and the way that the underlying summary fits into that decision when everything is funnelled through these automated tools.”
On how to spot AI-generated content: Addressing the NDP’s accusations that the PCs used AI to write a committee report on intimate partner violence, Israel warned about the potential for undermining the democratic process at large.
“It’s an important government function that these assessments are reliant on human judgement…By using a chat bot to generate the reports [allegedly], you’re bypassing that process altogether. We are potentially going in a direction that could undermine this important democratic feature.”
Topping his wish list: Independent oversight and input from experts and most-impacted communities.
“We need an independent mechanism that can vet the tools to make sure they’re fit for purpose and to assess their error rates, but also to set strict limits over what happens when that tool may be used for a different purpose, then to continue to assess the appropriateness of this tool across its life cycle…And it needs to be enforceable.”
On how the CCLA is doing some of the regulatory heavy lifting for the government:
“We co-launched a public consultation seeking input from civil society, experts and people, to see how AI is impacting them more directly and to get more ideas on what else we could be doing to deal with AI.”
MOVERS AND SHAKERS
NICK STAVROPOULOS has been appointed Peel Region’s first-ever Auditor General. Stavropoulos will be familiar to Queen’s Park watchers — he was standing in as temporary provincial AG and has been working as Supply Ontario’s chief financial office since last spring.
Longtime provincial bureaucrat ZIYAAD VAHED has a new gig at the Clamshell, as deputy chief of staff, intergovernmental and agency relations in Toronto’s City Manager’s Office. Vahed is a 21-year veteran of the Ontario Public Service, holding senior public roles in Cabinet Office, Social Services, Citizenship and Multiculturalism, Education, Agriculture and beyond.
NICK COLOSIMO has moved on from the Canadian Bankers Association to serve as chief of staff to Niagara Regional Chair BOB GALE. Colosimo is also a former federal Tory staffer. And he’s not the only recent recruit in Gale’s camp: JAMIE JONES, ex-Social Services Minister MICHAEL PARSA’s office, recently signed on as executive administrative assistant (scooped here).
For all my new subscribers: I scooped a few other recent changes on Team Parsa: CHRIS CLARKE is no longer D-Comms, while DEEMA AFFAS has been promoted to caucus liaison and appointments adviser.
SPOTTED:
Crown Royal putting out ads at the Leafs game, pointedly noting the whisky is still made in Canada (if not in Ontario). Over to you, DOUG FORD.
LOBBY LIST
Here are the new, renewed and amended registrations over the past 24 hours:
David Morgado, ONpoint Strategy Group: ARGO Development Corporation
Jared Burke, Loyalist Public Affairs: Toronto Regional Real Estate Board
Kenzie McKeegan, Loyalist Public Affairs: Innergex Renewable Energy
Robyn Gray, Sussex Strategy Group: Northland Power Inc.
Clare Michaels, Santis Health: Happy Roots Foundation
Cleopatra Abi Khalil, StrategyCorp: Second Harvest
Vivek Prabhu, Hill & Knowlton: ALK-Abello Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Jason Park, Kagan Shastri DeMelo Winer Park LLP: Zentil and Benedetto Group of Companies
Alexandra Rodgers, Policy Concepts: The Fertility Partners
Jennele Giong, Integrated Strategic Partners: dmg events (Canada) Inc.
🥳 HAPPY BIRTHDAY: NDP MPP SOL MAMAKWA (Kiiwetinoong).
🍽️ LUNCH SPECIAL: Pulled pork mac and cheese with coleslaw.
⏳ COUNTDOWN: T-minus 2 days until the PC convention in Toronto…13 days until the Liberal deadline for leadership rules…54 days until the House reconvenes.
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Cover image: Getty