The remarks came after details emerged about a party-financed effort to track Crombie’s movements during a trip to Jamaica last year. Crombie, who led the Liberal Party in Ontario before stepping down, has been a frequent critic of Ford’s government. The party has not publicly disclosed all the costs associated with the alleged surveillance efforts.
Ford told reporters that he did not authorize or know about the expenditure before it was reported and that he expects his party to provide full transparency on the matter. He indicated that the situation should be investigated to determine who approved the spending and for what specific purpose.
The news raises questions about party accountability and the use of party funds for activities beyond conventional political campaigning. Opposition members have called for a formal inquiry or independent review to determine whether any provincial resources or rules were violated.
Officials from Crombie’s camp have not released a formal response to the latest disclosures, but representatives have previously condemned the notion of surveillance as inappropriate and inconsistent with democratic norms.
As the situation develops, observers say the incident could intensify scrutiny of internal party finances and operational practices. A parliamentary or administrative review could examine how spending decisions are made, who approves them, and what governance structures are in place to prevent misuse of party funds.
No charges or accusations of criminal wrongdoing have been announced in connection with the reported surveillance effort. The party has not released a detailed statement outlining the scope or intent of the expenditures, and critics await greater clarity on the timeline and accounting behind the funds.