TORONTO, January 30, 2002 (LSN.ca) – Ernie Eves, one of the leading candidates for the leadership of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party, has once again been charged with catering to big money. The National Post reports today that Eves will host a private banquet at a Toronto mansion for 16 supporters who each raised more than $50,000 for his leadership campaign. “The elite “$50,000 Club” will gather on Monday at the Forest Hill estate of financier Robert Foster, president of Capital Canada Ltd., an independent investment bank, for one of the most exclusive political fundraising events in Canadian history,” says the Post.
During Eves’ campaign launch he made a lame attempt to appeal to the common man and distance himself from his opulent Bay St. moneyman image. Eves was widely quoted as saying, “I like Bay Street, but to be blunt, I’ve always felt more comfortable on Main Street.” However MPP’s from the opposition parties were quick to pounce on the disingenuous appeal to the common man. “I find it astonishing that a candidate who makes a claim to be a candidate of Main Street can, at the same time, acknowledge that he will continue to be an enormously well-paid candidate of Bay Street,” Liberal MPP George Smitherman said, referring to reports that Eves’ will retain his $1.2 million job with Credit Suisse First Boston investment bank while running for leader. New Democratic Party Leader Howard Hampton was quoted in the Toronto Star as saying, “The people of Ontario have a right to know who is in effect bankrolling the person who could well become the next premier of the province.”
See related LifeSite coverage: PRO-LIFE PRO-FAMILY PERSPECTIVE – ERNIE EVES DECLARES CANDIDACY FOR PREMIER https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2001/nov/011115.html#1
See the National Post coverage: https://www.nationalpost.com/home/story.html?f=/stories/20020130/1284589.html