Ontario finance minister resigns after highly criticized Caribbean vacation
Ontario Finance Minister Rod Phillips has resigned from his position in cabinet after returning home from a personal trip to the Caribbean during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.
Premier Doug Ford released a statement Thursday, just hours after Phillips arrived back in Canada, saying he had accepted the minister’s resignation.
“At a time when the people of Ontario have sacrificed so much, today’s resignation is a demonstration that our government takes seriously our obligation to hold ourselves to a higher standard,” Ford said.
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Parrot performs Cirque du Soleil act while decorating for Christmas
Einstein the parrot loves to perch on his kitchen drawers. It’s an area in the kitchen dedicated as a place for him to chew toys and play when his owners are not preparing food. Every year this area is decorated with a string of bird-safe Christmas lights. Just like a child, he is excited to see the decorations and immediately starts to climb and swing on the as if performing a Cirque du Soleil act! As any performer, he also takes a bow and waves to his audience! Bravo Einstein! Einstein the Talking Texan Parrot is a silly, smart, and popular parrot who loves to talk and entertain! He knows the names of several animals and likes to make their sounds. In addition to his silly vocalizations, he likes to have conversations with his owners, talking, doing animal sound imitations, and acting silly. He also enjoys singing and dancing in some of his video compilations. With his amazing talking abilities and funny antics, Einstein the talking parrot’s videos will keep you entertained for hours! Einstein parrot is also famous for some of his silly quotes and sayings. Online, Einstein, the talking parrot is popular across many social media platforms. Einstein’s favorite places to talk at home is perched on the shower wall, in the kitchen on his drawer, and on his screened-in back porch. As stated on his website, Einstein’s mission statement: “To entertain and bring joy, to foster the human-parrot bond, and to convey that parrots are deserving of immeasurable amounts of patience, nurturing, and companionship.” Einstein’s website, einsteinparrot.com is designed to inform you about the care of parrots and also entertain you. As previously mentioned, Einstein is popular on many social media sites such as YouTube @einsteinparrot, Instagram @einsteinparrot, Twitter @einsteinparrot, and Facebook @einsteintexanparrot. Living with a parrot is a big commitment. Parrots live a very long time. A parrot such as Einstein can live to be 50 or 60 years old. Many larger parrots like Macaws can live to be 100 years old. They all require a lot of care, proper nutrition, training, time, and patience. Parrots need a lot of attention and lots of toys and activities to keep from being bored. Parrots are also expensive, a large cage is an investment, and plenty of play perches to spend out of cage time. Specialized veterinarian care is also required. Most of all they require your companionship and a forever home. Many people decide after the first few years of parrot ownership that the responsibility is too great and the parrots become neglected and sometimes abandoned. When that happens they are sent to parrot rescue facilities to be adopted by a new family or some spend their lives in sanctuaries. It is often said, “Having a parrot is much like raising a raising a 2 to a 3-year-old child for the rest of your life!”
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Soon after, Phillips released a statement also announcing his resignation from cabinet.
Read more: Doug Ford says he knew of finance minister’s trip 2 weeks ago, should have asked him to return then
“Travelling over the holidays was the wrong decision, and I once again offer my unreserved apology,” he said.
Ford has appointed Peter Bethlenfalvy, who is also the president of the Treasury Board, to assume the role of minister of finance. Bethlenfalvy will be delivering the 2021 budget.
Video: Rod Phillips out as Ontario finance minister after Caribbean vacation
“This appointment will help ensure economic stability in the months ahead, as we support Ontario families, workers and businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic, and as we chart our path to long-term economic recovery,” Ford said.
In his own statement, Phillips wished Bethlenfalvy “all the best” in his new position, and turned his focus towards his constituents.
I’m honoured to be sworn in as Ontario’s Minister of Finance and President of the Treasury Board.
I remain dedicated to working hard to support families, workers, & small businesses as we tackle the #COVID19 pandemic & work towards Ontario’s recovery.#ONpoli 1/2 pic.twitter.com/8hSW6agiOW
— Peter Bethlenfalvy (@PBethlenfalvy) December 31, 2020
“I look forward to focusing my efforts on continuing to serve the people of Ajax as their Member of Provincial Parliament,” Phillips finished.
Early Thursday morning, Phillips landed at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport after vacationing in St. Barts since Dec. 13.
In a press conference held at the airport, Phillips apologized for the trip, calling it a “significant error in judgment,” and a “dumb mistake.”
“I know that I disappointed a lot of people and I hope people will appreciate I disappointed no one more than myself,” he said.
After news of the trip broke, Ford said Wednesday that he intended to have a “very tough conversation” with Phillips upon the minister’s return.
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Parrot performs Cirque du Soleil act while decorating for Christmas
Einstein the parrot loves to perch on his kitchen drawers. It’s an area in the kitchen dedicated as a place for him to chew toys and play when his owners are not preparing food. Every year this area is decorated with a string of bird-safe Christmas lights. Just like a child, he is excited to see the decorations and immediately starts to climb and swing on the as if performing a Cirque du Soleil act! As any performer, he also takes a bow and waves to his audience! Bravo Einstein! Einstein the Talking Texan Parrot is a silly, smart, and popular parrot who loves to talk and entertain! He knows the names of several animals and likes to make their sounds. In addition to his silly vocalizations, he likes to have conversations with his owners, talking, doing animal sound imitations, and acting silly. He also enjoys singing and dancing in some of his video compilations. With his amazing talking abilities and funny antics, Einstein the talking parrot’s videos will keep you entertained for hours! Einstein parrot is also famous for some of his silly quotes and sayings. Online, Einstein, the talking parrot is popular across many social media platforms. Einstein’s favorite places to talk at home is perched on the shower wall, in the kitchen on his drawer, and on his screened-in back porch. As stated on his website, Einstein’s mission statement: “To entertain and bring joy, to foster the human-parrot bond, and to convey that parrots are deserving of immeasurable amounts of patience, nurturing, and companionship.” Einstein’s website, einsteinparrot.com is designed to inform you about the care of parrots and also entertain you. As previously mentioned, Einstein is popular on many social media sites such as YouTube @einsteinparrot, Instagram @einsteinparrot, Twitter @einsteinparrot, and Facebook @einsteintexanparrot. Living with a parrot is a big commitment. Parrots live a very long time. A parrot such as Einstein can live to be 50 or 60 years old. Many larger parrots like Macaws can live to be 100 years old. They all require a lot of care, proper nutrition, training, time, and patience. Parrots need a lot of attention and lots of toys and activities to keep from being bored. Parrots are also expensive, a large cage is an investment, and plenty of play perches to spend out of cage time. Specialized veterinarian care is also required. Most of all they require your companionship and a forever home. Many people decide after the first few years of parrot ownership that the responsibility is too great and the parrots become neglected and sometimes abandoned. When that happens they are sent to parrot rescue facilities to be adopted by a new family or some spend their lives in sanctuaries. It is often said, “Having a parrot is much like raising a raising a 2 to a 3-year-old child for the rest of your life!”
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Ford faced pressure to remove Phillips from his caucus due to the trip, which opposition members have said violated the province’s health measures instructing Ontarians to avoid non-essential travel.
When asked if he would resign from cabinet early Thursday morning, Phillips said the decision was up to Ford.
“I want to express to him, as I have already and as I have here, my apology for this is sincere. I think I can still make an important contribution, but finally, that’s part of the discussion I’m sure I’ll have with the premier,” he said.
Video: The political fallout of the Rod Phillips controversy
Phillips’ return also comes after the federal government announced new travel rules due to the pandemic, including requiring all air travellers to obtain a negative COVID-19 test three days before arrival.
The new rules are expected to come into effect in the next few days, meaning Phillips did not need to provide a negative test upon his arrival. However, he must still self-isolate for 14 days under existing federal guidelines, which he said he will be doing.
Phillips said in a statement Tuesday that he left on a trip to St. Barts after the end of the legislative session.
Read more: Ontario finance minister to return to Canada after backlash over St. Barts holiday
The minister said he made the decision to travel not knowing the province would be placed under lockdown on Boxing Day, and “deeply regrets” the move.
His office did not respond to multiple requests for comment Wednesday.
Ford said Wednesday he learned roughly two weeks ago that Phillips had left the country and should have pushed for the minister’s immediate return.
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Parrot performs Cirque du Soleil act while decorating for Christmas
Einstein the parrot loves to perch on his kitchen drawers. It’s an area in the kitchen dedicated as a place for him to chew toys and play when his owners are not preparing food. Every year this area is decorated with a string of bird-safe Christmas lights. Just like a child, he is excited to see the decorations and immediately starts to climb and swing on the as if performing a Cirque du Soleil act! As any performer, he also takes a bow and waves to his audience! Bravo Einstein! Einstein the Talking Texan Parrot is a silly, smart, and popular parrot who loves to talk and entertain! He knows the names of several animals and likes to make their sounds. In addition to his silly vocalizations, he likes to have conversations with his owners, talking, doing animal sound imitations, and acting silly. He also enjoys singing and dancing in some of his video compilations. With his amazing talking abilities and funny antics, Einstein the talking parrot’s videos will keep you entertained for hours! Einstein parrot is also famous for some of his silly quotes and sayings. Online, Einstein, the talking parrot is popular across many social media platforms. Einstein’s favorite places to talk at home is perched on the shower wall, in the kitchen on his drawer, and on his screened-in back porch. As stated on his website, Einstein’s mission statement: “To entertain and bring joy, to foster the human-parrot bond, and to convey that parrots are deserving of immeasurable amounts of patience, nurturing, and companionship.” Einstein’s website, einsteinparrot.com is designed to inform you about the care of parrots and also entertain you. As previously mentioned, Einstein is popular on many social media sites such as YouTube @einsteinparrot, Instagram @einsteinparrot, Twitter @einsteinparrot, and Facebook @einsteintexanparrot. Living with a parrot is a big commitment. Parrots live a very long time. A parrot such as Einstein can live to be 50 or 60 years old. Many larger parrots like Macaws can live to be 100 years old. They all require a lot of care, proper nutrition, training, time, and patience. Parrots need a lot of attention and lots of toys and activities to keep from being bored. Parrots are also expensive, a large cage is an investment, and plenty of play perches to spend out of cage time. Specialized veterinarian care is also required. Most of all they require your companionship and a forever home. Many people decide after the first few years of parrot ownership that the responsibility is too great and the parrots become neglected and sometimes abandoned. When that happens they are sent to parrot rescue facilities to be adopted by a new family or some spend their lives in sanctuaries. It is often said, “Having a parrot is much like raising a raising a 2 to a 3-year-old child for the rest of your life!”
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He said Phillips “never told anyone” he was going to St. Barts, but it came to light quickly.
“I did call him shortly after he arrived and I talked to him and asked where he was. He said he was away,” the premier said.
“My mistake. I take full responsibility. At that time, I should have said, ‘get your backside back to Ontario,’ and I didn’t do that.”
Ford said by Tuesday, he had told Phillips to return to Ontario “immediately.”
Thursday, after Ford announced Phillips’ resignation, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath criticized the premier for not acting fast enough.
“Doug Ford knew about Rod Phillips’ trip to St. Barts two weeks ago. Not only did Ford not fire him then, he helped him keep the trip a secret. Phillips’ resignation from cabinet today is not because of Phillips’ vacation, it’s because they got caught,” she said in a statement.
When asked why he didn’t inform the premier about his trip, Phillips said the blame shouldn’t be on Ford.
“Premier Ford has far more important things to do than worry about the travel of his of his ministers or the people who work for him. As I said, this was my decision. It was a serious error in judgment,” he said.
Phillips has also faced serious backlash for a string of tweets he posted after he left for St. Barts, showing him in the Durham region, and extending holiday wishes seemingly from his home. His office previously told Global News that all content posted after Dec. 13 was shot before he left for his vacation.
It’s #ChristmasEve. To my constituents in #Ajax & people across Ontario, all the best during this special time of year. Even as COVID-19 changes how we celebrate, we should reflect on what makes Christmas so special to us – including family & the act of giving. #MerryChristmas! pic.twitter.com/AX7hKWA88n
— Rod Phillips (@RodPhillips01) December 24, 2020
It was my pleasure to join my colleagues & some of Durham’s mental health leaders in announcing over $1.6 Million in funding to support Mental Health & Addictions services expansion in #Durham. This funding will also support the addition of 5 new supportive housing units. pic.twitter.com/ETmGdYQ276
— Rod Phillips (@RodPhillips01) December 15, 2020
Many have claimed that Phillips posted these tweets in order to hide his personal vacation from his constituents, but Phillips said that was not the case.
“Most politicians pre-program and pre-record a lot of their social media content. I did that to promote Ajax businesses, to promote the COVID-19 supports that we have for small businesses across the province, and to wish my constituents a holiday greeting,” he said.
He added that he understands why the posts seem “insincere,” and apologized again.
—With files from the Canadian Press