Doug Ford Fires Ontario’s 1st Chief Scientist

New Ontario Premier Doug Ford has fired the province’s first chief scientist.

Dr. Molly Shoichet, a renowned biomedical engineer who teaches at the University of Toronto. Dr Molly was appointed in November last year to advise the government and ensure science and research were at the forefront of decision-making.

The move comes just days after Ford’s Progressive Conservatives officially took power with a majority government.  Ford pledged throughout the spring campaign to find billions of dollars in “efficiencies” in provincial spending, without cutting jobs. He did not reveal a costed platform explaining in detail how he would pay for his promises.

Ford has already put the public service under a hiring freeze, except for frontline staff such as police. This week, he froze the wages of managers in the civil service and ordered a review of executive and management compensation.