On Friday Economic Development Minister Jim Wilson resigned abruptly not only from the ministry but from the PC caucus. The Ford government claimed initially that the resignation was the result of addiction issues. However, there are now numerous media reports that it was over allegations of sexual misconduct. Ford's Executive Director of issues Management, Andrew Kimber, has also resigned over alleged sexual allegations on Friday without the Ford government mentioning what caused his resignation. This also raises questions in the public's minds about the honesty of the government as it did not reveal the alleged reasons for the resignations.
It was allegations of sexual misconduct, not an alcohol addiction, that led to the resignation of Economic Development Minister Jim Wilson, according to multiple media reports. Global News reports that the allegations were brought forward by a male staffer at Queen’s Park and Premier Doug Ford learned of them on Friday — the day Wilson resigned. A statement from Ford’s office late Friday stated that Wilson resigned from cabinet and the Tory caucus “to seek treatment for addiction issues” related to alcohol.
Wilson had been Ford’s most senior minister and was a PC MPP for 28 years. Back in July 2014, he was elected interim party leader after former leader Tim Hudak resigned. Wilson held that role until Patrick Brown took over as leader in May the following year.
A report by Global News cites multiple sources also claiming Andrew Kimber, the premier’s executive director of issues management and legislative affairs, resigned Friday over allegations of sexually inappropriate text messages sent to a female Queen’s Park staffer.
On Monday afternoon, the premier’s office released the following statement on both resignations:
“Jim Wilson is no longer a Minister of the Government, nor is he a member of the PC Caucus. He has entered a treatment facility to deal with addiction issues.
Andrew Kimber resigned from the Premiers office.
As a matter of policy, we don’t comment on specific details of internal staffing matters.
https://toronto.citynews.ca/2018/11/05/jim-wilson-sexual-misconduct-alle...