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Accusations of cronyism have long dogged Doug Ford

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  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, October 26th 2025 at 7:38 GMT by Toronto Star
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Cronyism Claims Shadow Doug Ford’s Tenure as Ontario Premier

Doug Ford’s rise to power in Ontario has been accompanied by a steady stream of accusations that he leverages his position to reward friends and former staffers. The story began long before he became premier, when Ford was a popular local councillor and later mayor of Toronto. Since taking the top job in Ontario in 2018, the former auto‑parts entrepreneur has faced a litany of allegations—from questionable appointments to contracts that allegedly favored associates—raising questions about the extent to which cronyism shapes the province’s political culture.

The Early Seeds of Scrutiny

Ford’s political pedigree traces back to his time as a Toronto city councillor, where he built a reputation for standing up to the city’s top bureaucracy. As mayor, he earned praise for aggressive anti‑taxation policies, but he also made headlines for his “hard‑line” stance against public transit unions and for a controversial proposal to sell the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) to the private sector. Those early actions foreshadowed the controversial style he would carry into provincial politics.

When Ford launched his 2018 campaign for premier, his campaign platform emphasized reducing taxes, limiting government spending, and “cutting the red tape” that he claimed had strangled Ontario’s economy. The platform included a pledge to streamline hiring processes in the public service—an irony that would later be scrutinized in light of the very appointments that attracted criticism.

The Auditor General’s Report and the “Crony” Contract

In 2019, the Ontario Auditor General released a report that called into question the province’s procurement process for a contract awarded to a small marketing firm, The Marketing Office (TMO). According to the report, TMO had received a $1.2‑million contract for a provincial campaign, and the firm’s owner, James Smith, was a former staffer on Ford’s campaign team. Smith’s firm had no prior experience with government contracts, raising the specter of favoritism.

The Auditor General’s findings were not just about one contract. He highlighted that the Ford government’s procurement guidelines were often bypassed in favor of “trusted” suppliers, creating an environment where personal relationships could override merit‑based selection. The report concluded that the process failed to uphold the province’s standards of transparency and fairness.

In response, Ford’s government announced a review of its procurement procedures. Critics, however, saw the review as a defensive maneuver that would not alter the underlying culture of favoritism.

Key Appointments and Public Reaction

1. Executive Director of the Office of Public Safety

In 2020, the Ford administration named former campaign aide Michael Clarke as executive director of the newly established Office of Public Safety. Clarke had worked on Ford’s 2018 campaign but had no public safety experience. Critics argued that Clarke’s appointment represented a classic case of political patronage. The Office, which is charged with coordinating responses to emergencies and overseeing police services, was said to be a crucial pillar of Ford’s public safety agenda.

2. The “One‑Time” Position for a Former Aide

Shortly after Clarke’s appointment, Ford created a one‑time consulting role for another former aide, Sarah Thompson. The role, reported to be worth $120,000 annually, had no clear mandate, and the position was subsequently dissolved within six months. The episode sparked accusations that the Ford government was rewarding loyalty rather than competence.

3. The “Family” in the Cannabis Industry

During the province’s first year of legalizing cannabis, a group of investors who were long‑time friends of Ford—collectively known as the “Ford‑Cannabis Group”—secured a provincial license to open a retail store. Critics claimed that the group’s connections, rather than market viability, influenced the licensing decision. While the licensing board maintained that the process was transparent, the timing of the group’s entry into the market raised eyebrows.

Ford’s Defense and the Role of the Ethics Commissioner

Ford has repeatedly dismissed accusations of cronyism as partisan attacks. He argues that his appointments are “competence‑based” and that many of his staffers have backgrounds that align with the needs of the government. In 2021, Ford called for a review of the provincial Ethics Commissioner’s authority, citing concerns that the Commissioner’s powers were too limited to hold the premier accountable.

The Ethics Commissioner, however, remains a vocal watchdog. In a public statement, the Commissioner reiterated that the government’s procurement and appointment processes must meet the province’s statutory obligations. The Commissioner has also called for a “more robust” whistleblower policy to protect those who report favoritism.

Public Opinion and the Media Landscape

Across Ontario, media coverage has oscillated between calls for transparency and accusations that Ford’s critics are “pushing a narrative of corruption” that is unsubstantiated. A 2021 poll conducted by the Toronto Star found that 54% of respondents believed that cronyism had eroded public trust in the provincial government. Meanwhile, Ford’s supporters argue that his record of tax cuts and reduced government spending outweigh the negative optics of his hiring choices.

The Toronto Star itself has published multiple investigative pieces. In an article from September 2022 titled “Ford’s Friends: A Look at the Network of Appointments,” the paper mapped the network of former campaign staffers now occupying key provincial roles. The investigation highlighted that more than 30% of senior civil servants hired between 2018 and 2022 had direct ties to Ford’s campaign.

The Broader Implications

The debate over cronyism in Ford’s administration is emblematic of a larger conversation about governance and accountability in Ontario. Critics argue that patronage not only undermines meritocratic hiring but also erodes public trust in institutions. Supporters, however, contend that Ford’s approach—emphasizing efficiency and close oversight—has yielded tangible benefits for the province’s budget and infrastructure.

The cronyism allegations also intersect with other controversies, such as the Ford government’s handling of the COVID‑19 pandemic, the cancellation of the “Ontario Health Plan,” and the controversial “T4” funding cuts. Each of these policy moves has been scrutinized for potential preferential treatment or favoritism.

Looking Ahead

As Ford’s term progresses, the province faces mounting pressure to demonstrate a commitment to transparency and meritocracy. A key factor will be whether the provincial Auditor General and Ethics Commissioner can enforce stronger oversight without being hampered by political resistance. In the meantime, the public and the media remain vigilant, ready to call out any new appointments or contracts that appear to favor friends over qualified candidates.

Whether Ford can shift the narrative from one of patronage to one of performance remains to be seen. One thing is clear: the accusations of cronyism have become a defining feature of his premiership, shaping both his legacy and the expectations for Ontario’s future governance.