Premier Doug Ford is investigating the French connections in the wake of a cronyism scandal that is embroiling his Progressive Conservative government.Ford on Tuesday “called for a review of all pending appointments” after a relative of his former chief of staff, Dean French, resigned from the Public Accountants Council.French, who stepped down after a separate nepotism imbroglio on Friday night, is the uncle of Katherine Pal, managing director of Pal Insurance.Pal — the niece of Jane Pal French, the ex-chief of staff’s spouse — had been named as a provincial appointee to the council on Dec. 31.“When the premier found out about this one, he hit the roof,” said a senior Ford official, speaking confidentially in order to discuss internal conversations.“He didn’t know about this personal connection so he’s called for a review of all pending appointments. He was really unhappy,” the government insider said.Indeed, Ford sent a note to Tory staffers underscoring that French has been defenestrated.“I need to be clear he no longer has a role in our government or the party,” the premier wrote.“Dean’s advice and support has been appreciated, but he no longer has any influence in this government,” he continued.French was a source of aggravation for the premier due to his headline-grabbing antics such as loudly berating Tory MPPs and staffers.Pal, who did not return a message from the Star, was paid $700 per meeting — bankrolled by the accounting industry not taxpayers — and there are four meetings annually.“The premier’s office has spoken with Katherine Pal and she has resigned from Ontario’s Public Accounts Council, effective immediately,” said Kayla Iafelice, the premier’s director of media relations.That panel is headed by Gavin Tighe, who is the lawyer for both French and Ford. Tighe makes $166,000 as chair of the industry-funded bod ...
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