Please complete your profile to unlock commenting and other important features.

User AvatarBuild your avatar
Please select your date of birth for special perks on your birthday. Your username will be your unique profile link and will be publicly used in comments.
Narcity Pro

This is a Pro feature.

Time to level up your local game with Narcity Pro.

Pro

$5/month

$40/year

  • Everything in the Free plan
  • Ad-free reading and browsing
  • Unlimited access to all content including AI summaries
  • Directly support our local and national reporting and become a Patron
  • Cancel anytime.
For Pro members only Pro
Summary

Doug Ford Has Told His Holidaying Finance Minister To Return To The Country 'Immediately'

Rod Phillips left Canada on vacation in early December.
Doug Ford Has Told Minister Rob Phillips To Return To The Country 'Immediately'
cpac | YouTube
Staff Writer

Ontario's Finance Minister Rod Phillips is under fire from the premier after news broke that the minister was on vacation despite the province telling people to avoid travel.

In a statement released on Tuesday night, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he was "extremely disappointed" in Phillips.

Editor's Choice: Here's When You Can Get Your COVID-19 Vaccine In Ontario

I have also told the minister I need him back in the country immediately. Doug Ford

"I have let the minister know that his decision to travel is completely unacceptable and that it will not be tolerated again," Ford wrote, "by him or any member of our cabinet and caucus."

Earlier on Tuesday, news broke that Ontario's Finance Minister Rod Phillips had left on holiday with his wife in early December.

At that time, Premier Ford was actively telling people to stay home and avoid non-essential travel.

"Had I been aware then of the eventual December 26th Province-wide shutdown, we would have cancelled the trip," said Minister Phillips in a statement.

He confirmed that he would be out of the country as of Tuesday, but it looks like his trip might be cut short.

"The only way we will beat COVID-19 is by following the advice provided by our public health experts. Public officials are no exception," wrote Doug Ford.

TorontoCanadaNewsNews

Explore this list   👀

    • Cormac O'Brien
      Cormac O'Brien was an Associate Editor at Narcity Canada, covering all things exciting and trending about Canada. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and Journalism from the University of Victoria, where he served as the Editor-in-Chief of the campus newspaper and was awarded the BCYNA Community News Scholarship for his writing. He was also the producer and co-host of Now On Narcity, Narcity's flagship podcast.

    Doug Ford responded to Mark Carney's election win with a giant 'to-do' list for the new PM

    Doug Ford says Ontario is ready to help "unleash" Canada's economy.

    10 of the biggest 'WTF' moments from Netflix's new Rob Ford documentary

    It's full of controversies! 👀

    Minimum wage is going up across Canada soon — but one province is getting left behind

    It could mean a raise of over $1,600 a year! 💸

    This BC small town with charming streets ranked as one of Canada's 'top travel destinations'

    The perfect weekend escape awaits you here.

    This enchanting small town set on a BC island was named among North America's 'most peaceful'

    Sandy beaches, ancient forests and a cozy town — anyone?. 🌲

    Parks Canada is hiring for these high-paying jobs and you can make up to $129,000

    Some positions don't require a university degree!

    Canada's new $2 coin is an actual piece of art featuring blue, yellow and orange hues

    This colourful circulation coin is historic!

    Ontario Trillium Benefit payments for September go out soon — Here's how much you can get

    More government cash is headed to Ontarians next week. 💵

    New data reveals the 'most peaceful' places to live and Canadian towns demolished US ones

    Five Canadian towns were named the most serene on the continent. 🍁

    Canadians say they don't buy these grocery items anymore because prices are too expensive

    "I've cut back on everything."

    This Ontario gem with waterfront towns and beaches is one of Canada's 'best' spots to live

    It has "large" homes "priced much lower" than major Canadian cities.

    Ontario's monthly fall weather forecast reveals when you can expect snow

    Bye bye summer, hello fall! 👋🍁