Premier Doug Ford took the opportunity to air his opinion of Guelph's elected leaders when asked a question regarding municipal infrastructure funding at Queen’s Park Tuesday during question period.
“I like your mayor, he just can’t get up there and make a decision, so he always wants to pile it onto the province,” Ford said to applause from Progressive Conservative MPPs. “He's a good guy actually, I like him. But your whole council in Guelph are a bunch of left-wing lunatics. Simple as that.”
Ford’s comments came after Guelph MPP Mike Schreiner, leader of the Ontario Green party, asked for the provincial government to keep its promise to making municipalities “whole” after reducing development charges they can collect as some new housing is built.
Some city council members have responded to the premier’s comments via social media.
“If it wasn’t ableist, Ford calling me a ‘left wing lunatic’ would definitely be a t-shirt I’d wear with pride,” posted Coun. Erin Caton.
"The disrespect for local democracy and local residents is appalling," said Coun. Dominique O'Rourke.
“I can't believe that this is politics. One year in and I'm being called a lunatic by the premier of Ontario!” Coun. Carly Klassen posted. “I love democracy!”
