Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s chief of staff has come under scrutiny for using his Gmail account for government-related communications, as reported by Global News. Despite previous claims that he only used his official email for official business, emails reviewed by Global News reveal a different story.

Key points to note:

– Sackville’s Gmail account was used for document sharing, stakeholder concerns, and communications strategies for the Premier’s Office.
– In a letter to the Integrity Commissioner, Sackville emphasized that he does not conduct government business on his personal email.
– A spokesperson for the Premier’s Office confirmed the use of non-government platforms for some government-related discussions.

Critics have raised concerns about the Ford government compartmentalizing information and keeping it out of public view. The Ontario NDP has called for Sackville’s resignation, with NDP Leader Marit Stiles stating that he must resign immediately or be fired by the premier.

Using Gmail for government work raises issues with accessing emails through freedom of information requests since they are stored on Google’s servers and not in the public domain. Sackville’s use of confidential policy discussions on his Gmail account suggests a preference for private email before moving to official channels, although the Premier’s Office maintains that decisions are ultimately provided through official government channels.

This isn’t the first time the Ontario government has faced scrutiny over communication devices. Previous reports by Global News highlighted minimal usage of official government phones, prompting alternative communication methods such as texting on iPads.

Premier Doug Ford emphasized the importance of using government-issued emails for official business. The controversy surrounding personal email use underscores the need for transparency in government communications and adherence to established protocols.