Perhaps the aging infrastructure at Queen's Park cannot handle the heat that builds up in the legislature. Perhaps that is why Doug Ford has decided that all MPPs deserve an early summer break and an extended (by four extra weeks) hiatus that will end in late October. Hot weather makes people sweat.
Of course, there could be another kind of heat that the Doug Ford cabal is eager to escape from - the heat that comes from extensive questioning by opposition parties concerning things like the government's Billion-dollar Booze Boondoggle, money that could be used to fund so many endeavours far worthier than putting alcohol into corner stores.
Not having to answer pesky questions that pointedly call into question the competence of one's government can have a revivifying effect on politicians. There is nothing better than a long break to maximize the possibility of stabilizing the ship of state currently being buffeted by naysayers who question the Conservative mythology of being good fiscal managers. And one can always hope that the summer doldrums will lull everyone into passivity and forgetfulness about one's policy deficiencies.
Dougie has offered other baubles to distract us as well, like his essentially meaningless cabinet shuffle.
Stephen Lecce moves from education, where he has served as minister since 2019, to energy, swapping portfolios with Todd Smith, who has been the minister of energy for the past three years.
Lecce, who butted heads with teachers unions many times over the years, said he was honoured to serve in that role but is excited to lead the re-titled Ministry of Energy and Electrification.
There is really nothing for anyone in that shuffle, except for those who have a nostalgic pining for the good old Common Sense days:
One of the new faces in cabinet is Mike Harris, son of the former premier, and he takes over the red-tape reduction portfolio, which has been vacant since Parm Gill resigned in January to run for the federal Conservatives.
As well, for those who like to see the redemption of corrupt politicians, there is this:
Steve Clark, who resigned last fall as municipal affairs and housing minister amid the Greenbelt controversy, has been appointed government house leader. It's not a cabinet position, but is a key role within the government, as that person frequently fields the questions in question period.
Ford initially stood by Clark last summer as the Greenbelt land swap unravelled with two devastating probes.
The integrity commissioner found Clark violated ethics rules during a process that was marked by "unnecessary hastiness and deception."
The NDP has offered its assessment of this political legerdemain:
New Democrat Leader Marit Stiles said the moves mean little after a year of scandal and policy reversals.
"Playing musical chairs at the cabinet table isn't going to fix this mess," Stiles said. "We now have the most bloated cabinet in the history of Ontario, with the biggest premier's office, the biggest deficit and people are struggling more than they ever have before."
Stiles also took aim at Clark's return to prominence.
"It's deeply concerning," she said. "Let's not forget that this was a minister who resigned in disgrace because of his central role in the government and Doug Ford's Greenbelt corruption scandal and now he's going to be put in charge of it with pretty enormous responsibility."
People have already been quite vocal in their public expressions of disdain for this government, even in the cottage country Mr. Ford is so fond of. Dougie often says that he speaks to all kind of people on a regular basis. Let's hope that when he out and about this summer, people will share with him their impressions of his government's direction.
