Ontario Legislature takes 21-week summer break starting now
Extended recess comes after only 30 days of sitting following 14-week winter break. House returns October 27, day after municipal elections.
Ontario's legislature is taking a 21-week summer recess — an unusually long break that comes after the house sat for only 30 days following a 14-week winter break.
Government House Leader Steve Clark says the legislature will return October 27, the day after municipal elections, so as not to interfere with that vote. But opposition leaders criticized the reasoning.
Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner said the excuse doesn't hold water, noting that Premier Doug Ford's government regularly interferes with municipalities. He pointed to the 2018 cuts to Toronto's city council size and current efforts to take away the city's control of its island airport.
Interim Liberal Leader John Fraser suggested the decision to avoid the legislature for so long reflects Ford's unwillingness to face scrutiny. "He 'can't take the heat' over controversies such as the purchase and abrupt return of a private jet," Fraser said.
The extended break means the legislature will have sat for just 30 days across a full calendar year — a stark departure from normal parliamentary rhythm.