Premier Doug Ford is investigating the French connections in the wake of the cronyism scandal embroiling his Progressive Conservative government.Ford “called for a review of all pending appointments” on Tuesday after a relative of his former chief of staff, Dean French, resigned from the province’s 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 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 damage-control note to Tory MPPs 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 to caucus members.“Dean’s advice and support has been appreciated, but he no longer has any influence in this government.”French was a source of aggravation for the premier due to his headline-grabbing antics, such as loudly berating Tory MPPs and staffers.Pal did not return a message from the Star on Tuesday. Members are paid $700 for each of four meetings held annually by the Public Accountants Council, which is bankrolled by the accounting industry, not taxpayers.“The premier’s office has spoken with Katherine Pal and she has resigned from Ontario’s Public Accountants Council, effective immediately,” said Kayla Iafelice, the premier’s director of media relations.The council is headed by Gavin Tighe, who is the lawyer for both French and Ford. Tighe makes $166,000 as chair of the industry-funded body.Tighe referred r ...
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