đŸ§” Ajax’s own MPP decided to take a non-essential trip outside of the country while our town moved from Red to Lockdown.

I don’t even know where to start on this. Rules for me and not for thee? Financial privilege in action? Getting away from the “plebs” in Ajax? #onpoli 1/x

My family had plans to travel to Europe this summer, but we knew that it had to be postponed to a safer time. We thought of postponing the trip to now, but decided against it until after vaccinations happened and travel advisories are lifted. #onpoli 2/x
And, by the way @RodPhillips01, as someone eligible to vote in Ajax, let me direct you to this big, bold, red text on Global Affairs Canada’s website. #onpoli 3/x
Yes, sometimes there may be an urgent need to leave the country (dying family member or other family emergency), but in a year where Ajacians, and indeed all Ontarians, have made so much sacrifice, this feels like a quintuple slap to the face. #onpoli 4/x
While individuals still go to high-risk, close-contact workplaces during “lockdown” to keep our supply and food chains going, @RodPhillips01 decides to go on vacation. Sounds like another example from a country a few hundred kilometres away. #onpoli 5/x
So, Minister, on Christmas Eve, you and your comms team highlighted the sacrifices we all had to make to limit the spread of COVID-19 this holiday season.

Yet you decided to leave Canada for a non-essential vacation during a global pandemic. #onpoli 6/x
You were parachuted into Ajax as a corporate executive to run against a long-time small business owner in Ajax. You won the chance to represent all Ajacians in June 2018. It seems like you’ve also decided to leave Ajacians behind in a crisis. That’s not leadership. #onpoli 7/x
Not only that, he’s left Ontarians behind as well. It’s been a long year for all of us, and the holiday season is a time for rest and reflection — but that also means continuing to follow public health advice and local restrictions.

Not flying around the world. #onpoli 8/x
Furthermore, this isn’t just the MPP for Ajax. This is Ontario’s Minister of Finance. For a government so concerned over balanced budgets, gov’t spending, and efficiencies, having your finance minister go on an international trip during a pandemic is not a good look. #onpoli 9/x
Am I mad? Angry? Furious? Disappointed? Not surprised?

Yes, all of it.

Ajax needs to take note of what their MPP did at the peak of the second wave of a deadly pandemic.

Leaders set priorities. Leaders get things done. @RodPhillips01 is not a leader. #onpoli 10/10 đŸ§”
The only trip I’m taking right now is to Downtown Yikes City.

11/10 #onpoli https://t.co/ZAQ65eodTk
It keeps going. These dates don’t line up. Ajax deserves so, so, so much better.

12/10 #onpoli https://t.co/3HHMC7OUv2
.@RodPhillips01, can you or your team specify when the MPP visited these businesses? Was it before his vacation, during the mandatory quarantine period, or after his mandatory quarantine was completed? 13/10 #onpoli https://t.co/KhJojRbkXR

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