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In the wake of recent revelations surrounding Jill Dunlop, member of provincial parliament for Simcoe North, and her acceptance of donations from private college executives, it’s become clear that the Ford government’s ‘cash-for-access’ brand of politics (see Greenbelt scandal) is part of our MPP’s fundraising, as well.
This week in the legislature, Ted Hsu, Liberal MPP for Kingston and the Islands, called out Dunlop and the Progressive Conservative caucus for Dunlop’s acceptance of $27,000 in donations to MPP Dunlop’s riding association (Simcoe North) — $24,000 of which was from the hands of private college executives.
As Ontario’s minister of colleges and universities, Dunlop’s act of accepting these donations appears to be a quid pro quo — that is, in return for the donations, she supports legislation and government actions that improve the bottom line of these private colleges.
These Ontario private colleges, readers will recall, are under the microscope for their dealings with international students who are required (again, by government legislation or rules) to pay tuition fees that are three times the cost (average of $28,367) the fees of Ontario students (average cost, $9,611).
The Ford government has implicitly encouraged colleges and universities to recruit international students by freezing Ontario student tuition and not increasing funding for Ontario’s institutions since 2019. In response, of course, these private colleges have sprung up to take advantage of this influx of students — and money — from outside the country. Readers may recall, as well, that there have been all sorts of problems with fraudulent acceptances, not to mention pressure on housing in some areas caused by large numbers of these students.
At the heart of the issue lies the fundamental principle that elected officials should prioritize the interests of their constituents above all else. The concept of cash-for-access politics is antithetical to the principles of democracy. It creates an uneven playing field where those with financial resources and connections have greater influence over decision-making processes than ordinary citizens.
By soliciting donations from private college executives, Dunlop has effectively granted them privileged access and influence, potentially at the expense of the broader public interest — especially as the sitting minister of colleges and universities is in a position to divert public funding to private colleges.
This is happening only a short time removed from the Ford government’s selling-out of the Greenbelt to wealthy developers that had made significant donations to Doug Ford. That controversy itself led to Ford having to backtrack on the proposed land deal that would have netted his donors hundreds of millions of public and private dollars.
The news surrounding Jill Dunlop highlights the need for stronger regulations and oversight to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure transparency in political fundraising. While accepting donations from private college executives may not be illegal, it certainly raises ethical concerns about the influence these donors may wield over legislative matters that affect their institutions.
Asked whether donations made to her — given her cabinet responsibilities — were appropriate, Jill Dunlop’s response has been disappointing and inadequate. It is incumbent upon elected officials to hold themselves to high ethical standards. This includes avoiding even the appearance of impropriety.
The citizens of Simcoe North deserve better from our elected MPP.
Matt Lund
President, Simcoe North Provincial Liberal Association
