OPP corruption investigation in Ontario Ministries

[capricorn]

Police are investigating staff of at least three Ontario government departments including the Ministry of Community and Social Services in a widening corruption scandal.

The ministries of Energy and Infrastructure and Children and Youth services are among the other targets of the Ontario Provincial Police probe that broke open publicly last week with raids on a block of buildings steps from the Legislature, sources told the Star on Monday.

Sources said the government escorted an undisclosed number of employees from the Ministry of Community and Social Services as part of the execution of search and seizure warrants in the vast complex known as the Macdonald block at the corner of Bay and Wellesley. Officers also raided the home of one senior manager in that ministry.

One area of the OPP’s focus is that ministry’s “capital and accommodation services” branch, which is responsible for strategic planning, project management and dealing with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. That ministry includes Ontario Realty Corp., which sells and manages provincial lands and buildings.

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Contractors, who regularly deal with the government, have complained to provincial officials during the last two years about competitors gaining unusual favourable attention in winning work.

The OPP has said the ongoing investigation involves “irregular transactions” between government staff and outside contractors but has offered few other details. OPP spokespersons said the force has not arrested or charged anyone yet in the probe.

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/837748--opp-probing-corruption-by-staff-in-at-least-three-ministries?bn=1

McGuinty and co have kept mum on the situation. The real estate and contract work angles should be interesting to follow. It's a case of following the money and the truth will out.

[William Ashley]

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/837748--opp-probing-corruption-by-staff-in-at-least-three-ministries?bn=1

McGuinty and co have kept mum on the situation. The real estate and contract work angles should be interesting to follow. It's a case of following the money and the truth will out.

I wonder if the timing has anything to do with the changing of post of Fantino with Lewis. Anyway like all investigations we can never know the truth unless we were part of the events, and only from that view.

[msdogfood]

I wonder if the timing has anything to do with the changing of post of Fantino with Lewis. Anyway like all investigations we can never know the truth unless we were part of the events, and only from that view.

Fantino is an ASS!!!!!.

so i do not care!!

[Michael Hardner]

A policy of Open Government such as exists in the UK would remove the cloak that these bureaucrats hide behind when they engage in embezzling.

[Shwa]

A policy of Open Government such as exists in the UK would remove the cloak that these bureaucrats hide behind when they engage in embezzling.

How so?

[Michael Hardner]

How so?

Because they would have to publish their budgets. It makes it hard to hide large sums if they're publicly known.

[Shwa]

Because they would have to publish their budgets. It makes it hard to hide large sums if they're publicly known.

It would remove the cloak, but would anyone look? Many budgets are published internally for most government departments, available to most staff and government auditors.

Here is the summary of the 2010-11 Estimates for the Ministry of Energy and Infrastrcuture

Do you see any fraud here?

I think you are looking for detailed expenditure statements for a past period time, esp regarding contracts yes?

[Michael Hardner]

It would remove the cloak, but would anyone look? Many budgets are published internally for most government departments, available to most staff and government auditors.

Here is the summary of the 2010-11 Estimates for the Ministry of Energy and Infrastrcuture

Do you see any fraud here?

I think you are looking for detailed expenditure statements for a past period time, esp regarding contracts yes?

Something more detailed than this yes.

I was on the email list for a project Jennifer Bell was heading up in Ottawa to go through Federal Govt. expense reports. In the absence of a market to regulate costs/benefits, this could be the next best thing.

[Sir Bandelot]

I'm all for an OPP investigation into corruption in the ministries.

Also for a ministry investigation into corruption in the OPP.

I'm sure you can see where this is going.

The question is, who's watching the watchers?

Sorry, my pessimism is a bit high lately...

[Topaz]

I wish someone would look into Hydro One. When your bill is for 39.00 for hdyro used and the bill ends up $174.00, that corruption!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[GostHacked]

I'm all for an OPP investigation into corruption in the ministries.

Also for a ministry investigation into corruption in the OPP.

I'm sure you can see where this is going.

The question is, who's watching the watchers?

Sorry, my pessimism is a bit high lately...

I share much of your pessimism regarding this topic.

[Shwa]

Something more detailed than this yes.

I was on the email list for a project Jennifer Bell was heading up in Ottawa to go through Federal Govt. expense reports. In the absence of a market to regulate costs/benefits, this could be the next best thing.

Cool! How did Jennifer Bell get her hands on the expense reports?

[charter.rights]

I think we will find McGuinty smelling good out of this one and I suspect they will trace the corruption back to Harris......

McGuinty has been careful to remain transparent and respond to voters wishes. The repeal of the eco-fees and the urging the federal government to keep the provincial portion of the HST point of sale exemption for First Nations are records of a government that appears to be listening to the people. I suspect we'll be seeing an Ontario election in the not to distant future....

[capricorn]

I think we will find McGuinty smelling good out of this one and I suspect they will trace the corruption back to Harris......

There are times when bureaucrats have been caught with their hands in the cookie jar without the involvement of politicians.

It may well be that Harris is not involved in this one.

McGuinty has been careful to remain transparent and respond to voters wishes.

The fact is McGuinty has been careful to deflect responsibility for his screw ups onto others. He's obviously got you fooled.

The repeal of the eco-fees and the urging the federal government to keep the provincial portion of the HST point of sale exemption for First Nations are records of a government that appears to be listening to the people.

McGuinty listens to McGuinty.

I suspect we'll be seeing an Ontario election in the not to distant future....

For a guy presenting himself as politically savvy, you should know there are fixed elections dates in Ontario. The next one is scheduled for October 6, 2011.

http://www.electionalmanac.com/canada/ontario/

[charter.rights]

There are times when bureaucrats have been caught with their hands in the cookie jar without the involvement of politicians.

It may well be that Harris is not involved in this one.

The fact is McGuinty has been careful to deflect responsibility for his screw ups onto others. He's obviously got you fooled.

McGuinty listens to McGuinty.

For a guy presenting himself as politically savvy, you should know there are fixed elections dates in Ontario. The next one is scheduled for October 6, 2011.

http://www.electionalmanac.com/canada/ontario/

I get all that. McGuinty doesn't fool ME. But he will fool a whole lot of people who will give him another majority government. And all that is bad with the internal issues, corruption and spies will be blamed on Harris...well.... because Harris is still very much hated by many voters. They remember.

[capricorn]

And all that is bad with the internal issues, corruption and spies will be blamed on Harris...well.... because Harris is still very much hated by many voters. They remember.

With finance minister Duncan's current machinations to curb public service salaries, the politician that comes to the lips of most people is Bob Rae, not Mike Harris. Remember Rae Days? The optics are not good for McGuinty.

Interesting and amusing that you're the only one trying to link Harris to this corruption investigation.

[charter.rights]

With finance minister Duncan's current machinations to curb public service salaries, the politician that comes to the lips of most people is Bob Rae, not Mike Harris. Remember Rae Days? The optics are not good for McGuinty.

Interesting and amusing that you're the only one trying to link Harris to this corruption investigation.

Nope that will not have any effect. Because Duncan isn't imposing wage freezes. He is asking for them and so far he has the tentative agreement of OPSEU. That will give McGuinty a free ride with public service unions because he asked first and they will likely end up at some mutually palatable compromise.

The optics are excellent!

Edited July 25, 2010 by charter.rights

[ironstone]

Don't hold your breath waiting for more details on this story.The media in Ontario should be all over this,but there will be very little coverage for obvious reasons.