Ontario Premier Doug Ford recently expressed his surprise upon learning that the Progressive Conservative Party had reportedly used funds to surveil former Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie during her stay in Jamaica in 2023. According to reports from The Trillium and POLICORNER, the party allegedly spent close to $3,000 from donations and taxpayer money on accommodations at two luxury resorts in Jamaica to monitor Crombie as part of their opposition research efforts. This alleged surveillance occurred shortly after Crombie’s victory in the Liberal leadership race in December 2023, while she was on a brief vacation in Jamaica.
Although CBC News has not independently verified these claims, the Ontario PC Party issued a statement acknowledging their engagement in opposition research, which included the trip to Jamaica in December 2023. Premier Ford distanced himself from the alleged spying, stating that he does not condone such actions and had only become aware of the situation the day before. He emphasized that the expenses were covered by party funds, a portion of which comes from taxpayer subsidies allocated to political parties in Ontario.
When questioned about his awareness of the incident, Ford stated that he relies on his team to oversee expenditures during campaigns, indicating that he does not scrutinize every dollar spent. He expressed hopes that such tactics would not be repeated in the future, emphasizing the importance of fair and balanced elections.
Bonnie Crombie refrained from commenting on the allegations but confirmed her vacation in Jamaica following the leadership race in 2023, staying at one of the resorts mentioned in the PC party’s 2023 financial statement. The financial statement, obtained by CBC News from the NDP, revealed expenses at the Ocean Eden Bay and Royalton Negril Hotel, though specifics regarding the nature and timing of these expenses remain undisclosed.
Opposition party leaders, including NDP Leader Marit Stiles and interim Ontario Liberal Leader John Fraser, condemned the alleged surveillance as inappropriate and an abuse of power. Stiles criticized the actions as reminiscent of “creepy Trump-style politics,” calling for accountability within the party, while Fraser raised concerns about the misuse of public funds for political purposes, questioning the extent to which such tactics have been employed in the past.
The developments surrounding the alleged surveillance have sparked criticism from various political figures, prompting calls for transparency and accountability within the Ontario PC Party.