My question is to the Premier.

We’ve learned that former Conservative MPP and lobbyist for local developers Bart Maves was quietly removed as vice-chair from the Niagara Parks Commission by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport with two years left on his term. Maves was also removed from the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission. The move to strip Maves of his appointments to both commissions was done with no notice or explanation.

This week, when questioned by the media, the minister refused to explain why the government would remove one of their political allies.

My question is simple. Why was Maves removed from the Niagara Parks Commission and the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission by this government?

The Niagara Parks Commission is a key part of our tourism industry in Niagara, and it supports 40,000 jobs. They generate tens of millions of dollars each year in revenue and have an operating budget of nearly $120 million—equal to the city of Niagara Falls—supporting over 1,700 jobs in our community, while also preserving the natural and cultural heritage of the Niagara River.

In Niagara, we expect the parks to run free from political interference. Yet this government has been stacking the Niagara Parks Commission with failed PC politicians and friends. So it’s odd that you would suddenly remove a—

Interjection.