A city in Ontario faces questions after its senior official ordered non -political staff to work at the town hall on Friday so that they can provide a backdrop to the Prime Minister of Ontario Doug Ford To make campaign style ad before calling an election.
Friday, Ford was at Brampon The Town Hall to promise Tunnel funding for an unfinished light train project north of Mississauga and under the city center of Brampton.
During the announcement, Ford confirmed long -term plans that it would trigger a provincial election in a few days and have repeatedly attacked its political opponents, asking Ontarians to vote for the Progressive Conservative Party.
In the background, Ford’s words encountered applause and cries of encouragement of an audience of non-political city workers that Global News can reveal have been ordered to present themselves.
The staff were also armed with brochures and posters celebrating the promise of the Route du Train Léger and rented Ford by name, thanking him for the promised expenses.
An internal memo sent to all employees by Cao Marlon Kallideen of Brampton earlier in the week had informed workers that their attendance at the Town Hall was compulsory because Ford was in town with an ad that would benefit the city.
“All the staff working on Friday, where operations operationally are required to work in office that day and are encouraged to attend the announcement in person,” read the memo, obtained by Global News, read in part.
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“You are invited to come together on the 2nd floors of the Town Hall, overlooking the atrium or in the atrium itself to attend this striking event. Your presence at this announcement is important, and I greatly appreciate your time and efforts to attend. »»
The perspective of telling the non -political staff to appear during an event praising a promise of a political party only a few days before the elections officially set up concerned.
Ontario Green Party leader Mike Schreiner said that it was “a completely inappropriate use of non -political personnel” … “yet another example of the way Doug Ford cares more about his image of the population of this province. “
“Ontarians are tired of a government that puts partisan politics before everyday people,” Schreiner said in a statement.
The Prime Minister’s office did not answer questions by asking whether Ford knew that city staff would be invited to attend the announcement or if his team considered him appropriate, but said that Ford was “grateful” to Brampton to have organized the event.
Ontario Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie said in a statement to Global News that she “encouraged” the municipal and provincial commissioners to examine the event.
“Asking non-partisan staff to participate in a campaign judgment funded by taxpayers is not a normal line of conduct-but nothing of the desperate seizure of Doug Ford is normal,” she said in a press release.
The city of Brampton said that the staff inviting to participate in the event was part of the recognition of the ad as an example of a plea in terms of the city.
“Today has also testified to the collective effort, advocacy and the commitment of city staff,” said a spokesperson.
“Whether through daily work, collaboration on major projects or simply presenting themselves to events like this, their contributions help shape the future of our city and amplify our voice in the efforts of advocacy to all government levels. “
The city did not answer the questions that made the decision to force the staff to be at the Town Hall in person, and they did not disclose the cost of the printed signs thanking Ford for the announcement.
“The city regularly prints the guarantees, including signaling, for events,” said the spokesperson.
Later Friday, after the event ended, the Brampton CAD sent a new internal memo to the city staff thanking them for their participation.
“On behalf of the municipal council and the company management team, I put my disaster gratitude to each of you for your presence and your participation in the announcement this morning at the Town Hall,” said Part of the note, also obtained by Global News.
The official political campaign begins on Wednesday and the ballot day is scheduled for February 27.
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