Even before Patrick Brown’s tell-all book was released it was already making waves in political circles, so it’s no surprise politicians across the province have had a thing or two to say about it.
Brown’s book Takedown: The Attempted Political Assassination of Patrick Brown catalogues Brown’s experience after stepping down as Leader of the Ontario PCs following allegations of sexual assault.
In the book Brown takes aim at former colleagues and party staffers, claiming they colluded to push him out as leader of the party, and then abandoned him.
After hearing about the contents of the book Premier Doug Ford says he now “questions Brown’s leadership” and that by releasing it after he was elected he “did a disservice to Brampton”.
Now Linda Jeffrey is having her say. Jeffrey was defeated by Brown on October 22 by just under 4,000 votes.
In an interview with Sauga 960 Jeffrey said Brown is putting Brampton in the news for all the wrong reasons and that the book will affect the city’s relationship with the province moving forward.
She said, “Anytime you pick a fight with the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Finance or cabinet of the government of the day, it increases your chances that no one will answer your phone call when you need them to.”
Prior to the launch of the book, there was speculation about whether Brown would be able to collaborate with a party that he was, by all accounts, removed from.
Now after the book launch, there’s no doubt an even bigger wedge now stands between Brampton and the province.
Brown has always said he’s willing to work with any government to push Brampton’s agenda forward, but Jeffrey argues that he’s left a cloud over his leadership that won’t soon go away.
“I don’t see how the cloud can be shifted when two weeks before you even take over as mayor, you pick a fight with the provincial government which funds healthcare, education [and] social services.”
Ford has already cut funding for Brampton’s university campus and the Hurontario LRT project hasn’t been taken off the chopping block yet.
Ford has also made it clear Ontarians can expect more cuts as the government works to deal with what it says is a $15 billion debt.
As Brampton competes for funds from a constantly shrinking pie, the city’s relationship with the province will be crucial.
