ABOVE: Do the anti-Tim Hudak advertisements from the OPPA go too far? Alan Carter reports.
TORONTO – The union representing Ontario’s police officers has released two attack ads aimed directly at Tim Hudak and the Progressive Conservatives.
The first ad suggests Hudak wants to cancel the collective bargaining agreement with the Ontario Provincial Police, reduce salaries and cut pensions for rookie cops.
The second ad suggests Hudak’s plans will lead to strikes and litigation.
But some have argued police should stay out of partisan politics, period.
“When the union representing the Ontario Provincial Police releases two 15-second attack ads against the Ontario PC Party, the public would understandably question the impartiality of its provincial police force,” the Tories said in a statement.
“There is a reason why military and police forces do not engage in political activity – and this should extend to the unions and associations that represent them.”
These ads come as the OPP investigate two Liberal scandals, including the deletion of emails concerning two cancelled gas plants and a fatal crash of an Ornge air ambulance.
PC candidate Lisa Thompson asked on Twitter whether these ads constitute a conflict of interest.
She also pointed out the union’s Chief Administrative Officer was a candidate for the Ontario Liberal party in 2011.
– With files from The Canadian Press
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