The problem is that all these independent operations seem to have swallowed the idea that they’re independent, and have a mandate to question the activities of elected leaders. They were forced to create the office by the New Democrats, in return for NDP support during Wynne’s minority government. The latest irritant emerged Tuesday in the form of Stephen LeClair, the financial accountability officer. When the Hydro One sale was unveiled, Lysyk, Marin, LeClair and five other “independent” officers were told they would have their powers to keep watch on the Crown utility severely curtailed. Under Premier Kathleen Wynne they’ve reacted by steadily reducing the powers of the watchdogs, rewriting their mandates, dropping them or simply ignoring their advice and complaints.

Source: National Post June 01, 2016 12:56 UTC