Doug Ford fires PC caucus chair who spoke critically about pension plan

Bouma was relaying concerns from caucus colleagues who felt the pension plan had been poorly explained, leaving many surprised to learn buying in could cost six figures. Those expenses stem from Ford’s insistence the plan not rely on government funds, meaning MPPs would have to cover both the employee and employer share.

That type of fiscal responsibility didn’t square with Ford’s recent purchase and panicked sale of a $28.9-million Bombardier Challenger private jet. And when Bouma, who is also the premier’s parliamentary assistant, raised it in the meeting, a chill descended upon the second-floor room at Queen’s Park.

After the confab ended, the three-term backbencher was relieved of his duties as caucus chair and replaced with Matthew Rae (Perth—Wellington), according to a dozen Tory sources, speaking confidentially in order to discuss internal deliberations.

Bouma declined to comment in person to a Star reporter and did not return calls or emails.

Ford did not deny the rift, which was first reported by Global News on Tuesday.

“Will is a great member, he served four years — now we have Matt Rae in there. Will’s travelling in the U.S. with me, he’s my parliamentary assistant,” the premier told reporters, referring to upcoming official trips to governors’ meetings in South Carolina and Utah.

Pressed on whether he was mad at Bouma for telling him what he didn’t want to hear, Ford replied, “We have a tight team, and what we discuss in cabinet and in caucus stays there.”

But eyewitnesses said it was a tense scene as the mild-mannered Brantford-area optometrist took on the bombastic premier.

Some MPPs said Bouma was pushing his luck by chiding Ford for the private jet purchase, first revealed by the Star on April 17, while members would be saddled with the unexpected costs of a pension plan that requires individuals to also pay the employers’ contribution.

“His tone and his body language were a little disrespectful to the boss. You don’t do that in front of everyone,” said one witness.

Ford listened to Bouma, his shoulders hunched, face glowering.

Others defended the caucus chair, emphasizing he rightly “read the room” and was giving voice to their unhappiness.

They argued that Bouma saw that many were displeased with Ford’s ambivalence about what they contend is a badly explained pension plan.

Tory MPPs say they were not properly informed that his pension plan announced last year — three decades after then-premier Mike Harris scrapped the benefit — came with such high costs for those who want to “buy back” the missed employee and employer credits.

Depending on years of service, that top-up could mean paying hundreds of thousands of dollars into the plan that took effect on Jan. 1. MPPs elected prior to that can purchase pension credits to top up the plan as if they had been paying into it all along.

Divisions crystalized when several wealthier MPPs rallied to Ford’s defence, scolding others for expecting help in covering the employers’ side of the pension costs.

Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy, who had a successful career on Bay Street and Wall Street, pointed out the treasury cupboard is bare, with a projected budget deficit that almost doubled to $13.8 billion between last November and March.

“The rich people jumped in and defended (Ford),” said an MPP, adding many Tories were “very upset” Bouma was fired for “trying to be supportive.”

There had been a belief that the government could secure all-party support with the New Democrats, Liberals and Greens for tax dollars to partially top up the employer’s side of the pension plan, which is typically how such a system works.

But that was never an option, insisted two sources close to Ford.

Bouma’s replacement as PC caucus chair over the fracas is telling, said New Democrat Leader Marit Stiles.

“The premier’s own caucus can’t stomach that he bought a private luxury jet,” said Stiles. “It shows you once again that this is a premier who is listening to nobody.”

Interim Liberal leader John Fraser said Bouma is “well-respected and liked” by MPPs from all parties, which made his ouster a shock.

“That’s what happens in this government if you speak truth to power,” he said.