Spring Clean Minister Colle's Liberal Playground Fund
Author:
Kevin Gaudet
2007/04/19
Toronto: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today called on Premier McGuinty to clean up apparent partisan Liberal funding coming out of a secret program run by Citizenship and Immigration Minister Colle and Finance Minister Sorbara. CTF Ontario Director Kevin Gaudet said, "the Ministers are treating this fund like a Liberal playground. This is a secret fund juiced up just before an election, that only Liberals know about, with no checks and balances, that issues cheques to organizations with strong Liberal ties. The Premier should freeze the funds and launch an independent judicial investigation."
So far two grants have come to light from this questionable fund. An Iranian community group received $200,000 apparently only three weeks after it was registered as a charitable organization under the category 'recreation, playground, and vacation camps'. The organization is run by the Reza Moridi, Liberal candidate from Richmond Hill and the riding president Bohran Fouladi. It is reported that another director is a friend of Minister Sorbara. The Bengali Cultural Society also received $250,000. It has strong Liberal ties including MP Maria Minna.
"I fear this is a play out of the federal Liberal playbook like Adscam", said Gaudet. "How much money is being spent out of this secret program How much is being shoveled into Liberal-friendly organization Was there any oversight or checks and balances in the year-end rush to give tax dollars to Liberal friends Has any of this money made its way into the Liberal Party of Ontario This isn't their money to play with and this serious matter needs to be resolved before the election."