MPP pushing for answers on 'secret' ceremony
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WOODSTOCK – Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman is pressing Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne for details of a “secret” swearing in ceremony after a food portfolio was omitted from her initial oath of office.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs was split when the new provincial cabinet was sworn in on Feb. 11. During the ceremony, Wynne took on minister of agriculture duties in addition to being president of the council and premier. Peterborough MPP Jeff Leal was sworn in as minister of rural affairs, but there was no mention of a food portfolio.
“Only now, over a week later, have we discovered Wynne was sworn in again secretly to cover up the fact that she forgot food,” said Hardeman who is the Progressive Conservative Party critic for agriculture, food and rural affairs. “Instead of confessing that she had made a mistake and explaining why she eliminated the food portion of the ministry, Wynne tried to hide the truth.”
A spokesperson with the premier's office confirmed that on Feb. 14 Wynne took a second oath that included food in her responsibilities.
“As Minister of Agriculture and Food, Premier Wynne will work closely with stakeholders in the food manufacturing and processing sectors to maintain a vibrant agri-food supply chain industry in Ontario.”
Hardeman said it was only after he raised concerns that there was no cabinet minister responsible for food that Wynne’s “secret” swearing in ceremony was discovered.
“Premier Wynne clearly doesn’t understand that in rural Ontario, your word and the ability of people to trust you matters.”
He has written to the premier asking her to reveal the details of her private second swearing in ceremony. He is also asking her to clarify “whether she simply forgot to include food or whether she initially thought it wasn’t important enough to include.”
“We understand the importance of Ontario food to our province, our economy and our health,” said Hardeman. “If Premier Wynne doesn’t understand that, then she should seriously reconsider her decision to serve as minister of agriculture and now food.”
While leaving food out of the oath may have been a simple mistake, Hardeman said he is concerned about how it was handled and Wynne needs to come clean about what happened.
“Perhaps more troubling than forgetting food was the fact that when a mistake occurred her first instinct was to cover it up and keep it a secret,” he said. “It’s the same reaction we saw from this government on e-health, ORNGE and gas plants.”