“I know nothing,” claims Ontario premier Doug Ford. He reminds you of the role of Sergeant Shultz in the popular television series ‘Hogan’s Heroes’ that ran from 1965 to 1971. The fat concentration camp guard always blustered that he knew nothing. Just like Ford who told the media that he had more important things to think of than the machinations of his attorney general, who had appointed himself to be a King’s Counsel (KC).
Since one of the recipients of the privilege of having the KC initials after his name was the premier’s personal lawyer, he might, at least have heard a ‘thank you.’ And since Mr. Ford could hardly fall asleep at all cabinet meetings, transport minister Carolyn Mulroney’s acceptance of being called to the bar in Ontario—without any of that troublesome bar admission stuff—three days before receiving her KC—must have been remarked on in cabinet.
And obviously, Mr. Ford has hung his hand-picked attorney general out to dry. If he was really the instigator behind the return of the King’s Counsel designation for conservative lawyers, he is going to get laughed out of my electoral district. The liberals in my riding might have more than a few annoyed lawyers to chose from for a candidate in the next provincial election.
When liberal David Peterson was elected and won the premier’s office in 1985, he ended the, at that time, Queen’s Counsel (QC) designation. He said the designation had become corrupted and was seen by the public as a patronage tool. And besides, the conservatives had already given Peterson the QC title as a courtesy when he became opposition leader at Queen’s Park.
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Copyright 2023 © Peter Lowry
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