- Shortly after winning the Ontario Liberal leadership in early December 2023, Bonnie Crombie took a brief vacation to a resort in Jamaica with her partner, and the Ontario Progressive Conservative party also sent someone to the same resort to “spy on” her.
- Premier Doug Ford said he first heard about the story on Wednesday, did not approve of such a thing, but did not apologize for what opposition MPPs called “creepy” and “deeply disturbing” behaviour.
- Ford stressed that the money spent — about $3,000 at two resorts — was from party funds, although much of that budget comes from the public in the form of a per-vote subsidy.
- Ford shrugged off the controversy, saying “it’s politics” and “stuff happens” in response to questions about whether he was responsible for the actions of his party.
- The third-place Liberals called a press conference to defend the privacy of their former leader and demand answers, with MPP Stephanie Smyth calling it “an absolute violation of someone’s privacy” and “the lowest of the low.”
- NDP leader Marit Stiles said on social media that “spying on a woman who is one of your political opponents on her private vacation is creepy Trump-style politics that has no place here,” and that “somebody signed off on that expense, and (Ford) knows exactly who. Heads need to roll.”
- The scandal fits a familiar pattern at Queen’s Park: the governing Tories are caught in a scandal of their own making, Ford tries to change the channel quickly, and the opposition stretches out the story for days.
- The pattern previously occurred with the government’s brief ownership of a $28.9-million private jet and with revelations that more than a dozen PC MPPs billed taxpayers for overnight stays at Toronto hotels despite representing ridings within normal commuting distance.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford faced backlash after reports emerged that the Progressive Conservative party sent someone to spy on Bonnie Crombie during her vacation in Jamaica. Crombie, who recently won the Ontario Liberal leadership, was reportedly targeted shortly after her victory.1234
Ford claimed he was unaware of the operation until recently, stating, 'Talk to the party.' He did not apologize for the actions, which opposition members labeled as 'creepy' and 'deeply disturbing.' The spying operation cost approximately $3,000, funded by party resources, which are partially derived from public subsidies.5
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders. Marit Stiles, the NDP leader, condemned the act as 'creepy Trump-style politics' and demanded accountability, asserting that someone must have authorized the expense. Stephanie Smyth, a Liberal MPP, called it an 'absolute violation of someone’s privacy' and urged the government to disclose whether any reports or photographs were generated from the operation.78
This scandal adds to a series of controversies surrounding the Ford government, which has faced scrutiny over various spending issues, including the use of a $28.9-million private jet and questionable expense claims by MPPs. The opposition is poised to leverage this incident to further challenge the government’s credibility.
“The $3,000 spent on the surveillance came from party funds, much of which is publicly subsidized per vote. Opposition MPPs, including Stephanie Smyth, demanded answers on who approved the trip and whether photos of Crombie exist.”
