本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛Transport minister censured for `reckless' behaviour
Broke province's integrity rules
Premier stands by transport minister
Jan. 5, 2006. 09:31 AM
RICHARD BRENNAN
QUEEN'S PARK BUREAU
Premier Dalton McGuinty is refusing to fire Transportation Minister Harinder Takhar for breaking integrity rules even though the province's integrity commissioner found his behaviour "egregiously reckless."
After a seven-month investigation, Integrity Commissioner Coulter Osborne released a report yesterday concluding Takhar breached the Members' Integrity Act by not cutting ties to his former business, Chalmers Group, as required under the act.
In his ruling, Osborne said Takhar allowed Joseph Jeyanayagam to continue as his trustee at Chalmers Group after he became treasurer of Takhar's riding association. He also "failed to disclose that Mr. Jeyanayangam was his CFO (chief financial officer)."
Cabinet ministers are required to put their business affairs into blind trusts when they are named to executive council.
"There is ... no doubt that the minister was egregiously reckless," the commissioner said in his 32-page report.
Osborne, who has no authority to call for Takhar to be removed from cabinet, called for the Mississauga Centre MPP to be reprimanded rather than paying a "political price."
Both McGuinty and Takhar refused to talk to the media but issued statements instead.
"It is clear the minister demonstrated a lapse in judgment in this circumstance," McGuinty said. "I agree with the integrity commissioner's reprimand of the minister and accept his recommendation that `it would be unfair to sanction the minister beyond issuing a reprimand.'"
The premier said he continued to have confidence in the minister.
Takhar simply apologized for displaying "an error in judgment" and promised to behave himself in the future.
Ontario Conservative Leader John Tory said it raises the question of what a member of McGuinty's cabinet has to do to get fired, reminding reporters that when McGuinty was in opposition he said that if a cabinet minister breaks the rules, he or she must go.
"If you are guilty of lapse of judgment, if you are guilty of this kind of conduct, what does it take around here for you to lose your job in the cabinet?" Tory asked, adding it was nothing more than Liberals protecting Liberals.
"It is clear that Minister Takhar has breached the Members' Integrity Act and Dalton McGuinty should ask him to resign."
It is the first time in Ontario's history, Tory said, that the province's integrity commissioner had formally reprimanded a cabinet minister.
Takhar's questionable behaviour was brought to light last June when the Conservatives released photos taken in April of the minister at his former Mississauga business.
Takhar first explained that he had only gone there to meet with his wife to discuss their daughter's education, but in other interviews said, "I never went there before" and "I don't go there very often."
Osborne said he could not conclude that Takhar was engaged in the management of the business, but questioned the minister's judgment.
Takhar showed "an error in judgment, that is negligence," Osborne said.
Osborne also raised doubt about the veracity of notes supposedly taken during the meeting where the daughter's education was discussed.
"I am skeptical as to the legitimacy of these notes," he said.
NDP MPP Michael Prue (Beaches-East York) said if McGuinty is an "ethical premier he will do the right thing by firing Mr. Takhar from his cabinet."
Meanwhile, Tory has also accused the Liberal government of deliberately sitting on a Freedom of Information request for Takhar's pertinent cellphone records and travel schedules.
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Broke province's integrity rules
Premier stands by transport minister
Jan. 5, 2006. 09:31 AM
RICHARD BRENNAN
QUEEN'S PARK BUREAU
Premier Dalton McGuinty is refusing to fire Transportation Minister Harinder Takhar for breaking integrity rules even though the province's integrity commissioner found his behaviour "egregiously reckless."
After a seven-month investigation, Integrity Commissioner Coulter Osborne released a report yesterday concluding Takhar breached the Members' Integrity Act by not cutting ties to his former business, Chalmers Group, as required under the act.
In his ruling, Osborne said Takhar allowed Joseph Jeyanayagam to continue as his trustee at Chalmers Group after he became treasurer of Takhar's riding association. He also "failed to disclose that Mr. Jeyanayangam was his CFO (chief financial officer)."
Cabinet ministers are required to put their business affairs into blind trusts when they are named to executive council.
"There is ... no doubt that the minister was egregiously reckless," the commissioner said in his 32-page report.
Osborne, who has no authority to call for Takhar to be removed from cabinet, called for the Mississauga Centre MPP to be reprimanded rather than paying a "political price."
Both McGuinty and Takhar refused to talk to the media but issued statements instead.
"It is clear the minister demonstrated a lapse in judgment in this circumstance," McGuinty said. "I agree with the integrity commissioner's reprimand of the minister and accept his recommendation that `it would be unfair to sanction the minister beyond issuing a reprimand.'"
The premier said he continued to have confidence in the minister.
Takhar simply apologized for displaying "an error in judgment" and promised to behave himself in the future.
Ontario Conservative Leader John Tory said it raises the question of what a member of McGuinty's cabinet has to do to get fired, reminding reporters that when McGuinty was in opposition he said that if a cabinet minister breaks the rules, he or she must go.
"If you are guilty of lapse of judgment, if you are guilty of this kind of conduct, what does it take around here for you to lose your job in the cabinet?" Tory asked, adding it was nothing more than Liberals protecting Liberals.
"It is clear that Minister Takhar has breached the Members' Integrity Act and Dalton McGuinty should ask him to resign."
It is the first time in Ontario's history, Tory said, that the province's integrity commissioner had formally reprimanded a cabinet minister.
Takhar's questionable behaviour was brought to light last June when the Conservatives released photos taken in April of the minister at his former Mississauga business.
Takhar first explained that he had only gone there to meet with his wife to discuss their daughter's education, but in other interviews said, "I never went there before" and "I don't go there very often."
Osborne said he could not conclude that Takhar was engaged in the management of the business, but questioned the minister's judgment.
Takhar showed "an error in judgment, that is negligence," Osborne said.
Osborne also raised doubt about the veracity of notes supposedly taken during the meeting where the daughter's education was discussed.
"I am skeptical as to the legitimacy of these notes," he said.
NDP MPP Michael Prue (Beaches-East York) said if McGuinty is an "ethical premier he will do the right thing by firing Mr. Takhar from his cabinet."
Meanwhile, Tory has also accused the Liberal government of deliberately sitting on a Freedom of Information request for Takhar's pertinent cellphone records and travel schedules.
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1136415010640&call_pageid=968256289824&col=968342212737更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net