Restoring Trust and Accountability in Democracy

As an MPP, Lee sees first-hand the profound difference democracy can make in people’s lives. She believes in freedom, participation, and equality, and understands the power of having different voices shape our shared future in Ontario. She has also witnessed the Ford government systematically weaken and dismantle Ontario’s democratic system to serve its own interests.

As Premier, Lee will strengthen Ontario’s democratic institutions and make the government more open and accountable to the people it serves.

A Lee Fairclough Ontario Liberal Government will reverse Ford’s anti-democratic policies, including restoring the French Language Commissioner, and immediately repealing the Premier’s ability to appoint regional chairs. She will also appoint a Minister of Democratic Institutions to advance policies and legislation to safeguard our democracy, and enhance accountability and transparency.

Lee’s Plan

Restoring Transparent Decision-Making

Ford’s Conservatives are running one of the most secretive and unaccountable governments in Ontario history. Ontarians deserve a government whose decisions can be examined and challenged.

Lee will introduce a Responsible Government Act which will undo Doug Ford’s abuse of power and restore our provincial democratic institutions.

The Responsible Government Act will take five key actions:

• Repeal Bill 97, which exempted Doug Ford and Conservative operatives from the Freedom of Information Act
• Restrict partisan government advertising to save tax dollars
• Restore the Offices of the Environment Commissioner and the Child and Youth Advocate
• Repeal Strong Mayor powers that interfere with local democracy, such as the power of the Mayor to hire and fire senior public servants without cause or rationale
• Restore the role of Trustees in local decision-making for our kids’ education

To evade accountability, Doug Ford changed the Legislative Assembly’s Standing Orders to reduce the number of days MPPs sit at Queen’s Park. Lee will work with other parties to amend the Standing Orders to have the Legislature sit more often and increase opportunities for meaningful debate.

Strengthening Democratic Institutions

Ontarians are not getting the meaningful representation they deserve. The Ford government routinely tramples rights and funnels public money to insiders and friends. Our electoral system and political financing regime require serious examination and reform. To accomplish reforms will require citizen buy-in and cooperation among political parties. As Leader, Lee will assign a caucus member as Advocate for Democratic Reforms to advance that work.

Evidence-Based Decision-Making

Lee will ask Ontarians to judge her government on outcomes, not promises. Her government will measure and publicly report on common indicators across healthcare, the economy and education, giving people real insight into how the province is doing, and where it needs to improve.

These commitments are a starting point. Lee will develop them further through the party’s fall policy convention and ongoing consultation.