The latest buzz in the gas plant scandal puts the focus on long-time local MPP John Milloy.
More than 1,300 documents were recently released to a legislative committee. They give insight into the former premier’s inner circle as they tried to manage the gas plant scandal.
The emails, which were published in the Globe and Mail, show Dalton McGuinty’s communication staff questioning whether Milloy should be allowed to speak publicly on the matter.
They were also displeased with Milloy’s failure to stick to talking points.
Milloy says that as government house leader his job was to release the gas plant documents.
“I was at the helm of negotiations,” he says. “I was the one that helped release the documents. No matter what people said in the emails, the truth of what happened is that elected officials are running the show.”
In a series of emails McGuinty’s Deputy Chief of Staff Laura Miller and his Press Secretary Neala Barton discuss Milloy “going off script.”
Barton said: “It wasn’t his key message.”
Miller said: “I know we have this preference to put out elected officials. But strike him off the list. This is the second time he’s done this.”
Milloy says he can’t comment on the specific emails, but only saw them when the documents and emails were released a few weeks ago.
On Sunday Milloy appeared with the new premier at a cultural event in Petersburg.
“This was the previous administration,” says Kathleen Wynne. “I have said quite clearly that since I have been in this office we have been very open in terms of our willingness to answer all the questions.”
In an email to CTV, Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Michael Harris commented: “The most recently disclosed emails on the gas-plant scandal show that liberal staffers are prepared to do anything to prevent Ontarians from learning the truth.”
NDP MPP Catherine Fife says with every new meeting and new witness they are uncovering new information. “The important thing going forward is that they put measures in place where staff aren’t running the province.”
Don Guy, a close advisor to the McGuinty, will testify at the legislative committee on Tuesday.
