1.62°C Vancouver

Dec 30, 2020 9:29 PM -

Ontario Premier says he found out Phillips was travelling abroad roughly two weeks ago, and should have pushed for his immediate return

Share On
ontario-premier-says-he-found-out-phillips-was-travelling-abroad-roughly-two-weeks-ago-and-should-have-pushed-for-his-immediate-return
Ford says Rod Phillips "never told anyone" he was going to St. Barts on December 13th, but the premier learned of the trip shortly after it began.(Photo - Rod Phillips/Twitter)

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he found out his finance minister was travelling abroad roughly two weeks ago, and should have pushed then for his immediate return.

Ford says Rod Phillips "never told anyone" he was going to St. Barts on December 13th, but the premier learned of the trip shortly after it began.

Opposition leader calls for Phillips removal from the cabinet

Opposition Leader Andrea Horwath is calling for Ontario Finance Minister Rod Phillips to be removed from cabinet.

Phillips revealed yesterday that he flew to St. Barts on the 13th of the month, not knowing a provincewide lockdown would begin on Boxing Day.

But Horwath says Phillips ignored his government's own public health guidelines, calling it "not believable" that a senior member of cabinet would leave the country for weeks at the height of a health crisis, without telling the premier.

Latest news

vancouver-police-seek-witnesses-after-suspicious-death-in-downtown-eastside
BCMar 25, 2026

Vancouver police seek witnesses after suspicious death in Downtown Eastside

The Vancouver Police Department says its homicide unit is investigating a suspicious death in the city’s Downtown Eastside and is asking witnesses to come forward. According to a Vancouver Police Department news release, paramedics with BC Emergency Health Services responded to a call at about 7:40 a.m. on March 20 in the south lane of the 100-block of East Hastings Street for a man in medical distress. Despite life-saving efforts, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said paramedics notified officers after observing injuries considered suspicious. The case has since been taken o
b-c-police-watchdog-launches-systemic-probe-into-handling-of-sexual-misconduct-cases
BCMar 25, 2026

B.C. police watchdog launches systemic probe into handling of sexual misconduct cases

British Columbia’s police watchdog has launched a provincewide review into how municipal departments handle sexual misconduct allegations involving officers, citing concerns about recurring patterns and oversight. Prabhu Rajan, head of the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner, said the investigation will examine internal processes used when departments investigate their own members. He said sexual misconduct in policing workplaces can undermine operational effectiveness and public trust. According to a statement from the commissioner’s office, the probe is the first “systemic inve
taxpayers-group-urges-b-c-to-suspend-fuel-tax-amid-high-gas-prices
BCMar 25, 2026

Taxpayers group urges B.C. to suspend fuel tax amid high gas prices

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on the Government of British Columbia to suspend its provincial motor fuels tax, arguing the move would reduce costs for drivers as gasoline prices remain elevated. In a statement, the group said drivers in regions including Metro Vancouver and the Capital Regional District are paying more than $2 per litre for fuel, while prices in other parts of the province are մոտ $1.80 per litre. “B.C. drivers pay the highest gas prices in the country because of the highest gas taxes from the province and regional districts,” said Carson Binda. He added
WorldMar 25, 2026

South Africa arrests 12 senior police officers in corruption probe tied to service contract

South African anti-corruption investigators have arrested 12 senior police officers on allegations of corruption and fraud, according to a statement released Wednesday by the National Prosecuting Authority’s investigative directorate. The officers appeared in court in Pretoria following their arrests. Authorities allege the case is linked to a contract involving the provision of health and wellbeing services to police personnel. A 13th individual, identified as a company director connected to the contract, was also taken into custody, the agency said. According to the prosecuting authority,
three-arrested-in-abbotsford-drug-trafficking-investigation-police-seize-cocaine-and-cash
BCMar 25, 2026

Three arrested in Abbotsford drug trafficking investigation; police seize cocaine and cash

Three people in their twenties were arrested Monday night in Abbotsford in connection with a suspected drug trafficking investigation, according to a police release. The Abbotsford Police Department said patrol officers responded shortly after 9 p.m. and located two men and one woman near the area of Gillis Avenue and McCallum Road. Police allege the individuals, who do not reside in Abbotsford, had come into the community to sell drugs. Officers seized approximately 73 grams of suspected cocaine and more than $4,500 in cash during the arrest. A 2014 Honda Civic was also seized as offence-rela

Related News