SASKATOON—The ongoing Dean French cronyism controversy has been personally “difficult,” says Doug Ford.And the Ontario premier is now pledging a “deeper vetting” of appointments, saying the treasury board will now review appointments and he’s confident that’s the right approach.“I believe it is working. We are looking at everything underneath a microscope right now,” he told the Star during a sit-down interview in Saskatchewan on the last day of the summer meeting of all 13 premiers and territorial leaders at the Council of the Federation.His comments came a day after provincial appointee Andrew Suboch made waves by resigning as head of a committee that recommends new justices of the peace, following a review of his appointment. He has close personal ties to French.French, Ford’s long-time friend and chief-of-staff, left his post last month after a number of questionable appointments hit the news — in particular two high-paying international postings doled out to his son’s lacrosse buddy and his wife’s cousin. Both were revoked after the connection was revealed.Read more:Doug Ford says he acted ‘immediately’ on patronage scandal caused by former chief of staff Dean FrenchTop Ontario bureaucrat fired as Star reveals his longtime ties to Premier Doug Ford’s former chief of staff, Dean FrenchPremier Doug Ford accepts resignation of his controversial chief of staff, Dean FrenchJust last week, the Star revealed that Peter Fenwick, hired to a new position heading strategic transformation for the government, was a long-time insurance customer of French. He was immediately let go, and his department shuttered.The Globe and Mail had uncovered French’s long-standing friendship with Suboch, a lawyer, who on Wednesday “advised the Justice of the Peace Appointments Advisory Committee that he is resigning effective immediately,” said Laryssa Waler Hetmanczuk, Ford ...
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