Ontario Premier Doug Ford has written to the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) asking the public company to replace its new paper bag supplier from Quebec with an Ontario company.
The LCBO awarded a $10.9 million contract earlier in October to the Rosenbloom group, a Quebec supplier.
The Crown corporation awarded this contract following a call for tenders requested by Ontario. Mr. Ford intervened in April to demand the return of paper bags to the Régie des alcools, a request which had taken the direction of the LCBO unprepared, revealed - in June.
The Prime Minister, however, is opposed to the choice of a Quebec supplier for the contract.
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Ontario Premier Doug Ford has called for the return of paper bags to LCBOs.
Photo : - / Laura Pedersen
In a letter sent to the LCBO Tuesday, Mr. Ford recalls that it is a priority
for his government to support Ontario products and businesses.
Maintaining that Ontario’s forestry sector can respond very well to demand
for paper bags, the Prime Minister orders the Liquor Control Board to launch a new call for tenders, this time limited to Ontario suppliers.
Your reach and purchasing power represent a significant opportunity to support Ontario producers at all levels, and we have made this expectation clear.
By email on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Crown corporation declared, however, that the two-year contract with the Rosenbloom group remains in place and that paper bags will be back in branches in the coming weeks
.
The LCBO will make a new call for tenders as soon as possible
writes the state company.
Doug Ford states in his letter that Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy communicated the direction
of the government in a letter to the LCBO last July 9. The letter in question mentions the importance of using suppliers premises, when appropriate
.
A clear message, according to a political scientist
Professor Geneviève Tellier, of the School of Political Studies at the University of Ottawa, poorly explains Prime Minister Ford’s decision to interfere in such a decision by the Crown corporation. On the other hand, she continues, her message is clair
.
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Geneviève Tellier, political scientist, University of Ottawa (Archive photo)
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Mr. Ford will send a clear message by saying: “I am the Prime Minister who sees to the economic interests in my province and therefore if we can promote Ontario production with our state-owned enterprises, I will strive to do so.”
This missive launches a bad message
to the directors of other state corporations, such as Hydro Oneshe said.
Now business leaders will always have a sword of Damocles hanging over their heads and say to themselves: “Every decision I make will be analyzed, commented on, and may be reversed by the Prime Minister.”
notes the political scientist.
