Lanark County OPP and the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit are investigating independent MPP Randy Hillier after he posted a photo of his family’s Christmas gathering on Twitter.
On December 27th, Hillier posted a photo of a Christmas gathering featuring 15 people, including himself.
“I will always remain free, it is my life to enjoy not at the whim or discretion of others, it is my home to welcome those I choose,” Hillier said in the post.
“Never will the government determine who I can welcome into MY home, it is mine not theirs.”
OPP East Region media relations coordinator Bill Dickson says the police force is aware of the social media post.
“We, along with the local health unit, are looking into it at this point,” said Dickson.
The Ontario government implemented a province-wide lockdown, which went into effect on December 26th. The province’s public health order states indoor social gatherings are not allowed, except with members of the same household.
Unlike many Canadian public officials, Hillier has been a vocal critic of the province’s strict lockdown measures. Hillier was charged by Toronto Police Service for hosting an anti-lockdown rally in November.
While the Ontario police investigates Hillier for celebrating Christmas with his family, several public officials have violated their government’s own coronavirus rules and advice.
In Ontario, Rod Phillips resigned as Ontario’s finance minister earlier this week after travelling to St. Barts over the holiday season.
The federal NDP stripped MP Niki Ashton’s cabinet critic position after it was revealed she travelled to Greece.
Several Alberta MLAs, including Municipal Affairs Minister Tracy Allard and MLA Jeremy Nixon, were also revealed to have travelled over the holidays.
In Saskatchewan, the MLA for Prince Albert Carlton Joe Hargrave travelled to California to complete the sale of a home.
In Quebec, Liberal MNA Pierre Arcand was vacationing in Barbados.
