As the trial of two Liberal operatives on bribery charges proceeded in Sudbury, Ont., Monday morning, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath kicked off her interrogation of the government in question period with some outrage over the allegations at issue in the court case.

Horwath asked Premier Kathleen Wynne if she would ask Energy Minister Glenn Thibeault to step down from cabinet over alleged wrongdoing in Sudbury. While Thibeault is not facing charges, the Crown's case includes the allegation that he sought jobs for two constituency staffers in his former office as a condition of running for the Liberals, and his request was granted.

"It appears from the evidence that the only reason the minister of energy himself has not been charged is because, under the law, it’s illegal to offer a bribe but not illegal to accept one," Horwath said in the house, where her speech is protected by privilege.

The NDP has proposed a private member's bill that would amend the Election Act to make it an offence to request or accept a bribe in connection with a candidacy in an election, which they say would close the "loophole" that they argue allowed Thibeault not to be charged in this case.

Meanwhile, PC Leader Patrick Brown stayed away from the Sudbury trial in question period, focusing instead on Hydro rates. But at a press conference earlier in the morning, Brown said it was a "sad day" when a premier will testify at a trial resulting from police charges.

Wynne is scheduled to testify at the Sudbury trial on Wednesday. Thibeault said Monday he's scheduled to testify Sept. 19 and/or 20.

“Make no mistake, this is Liberal political corruption that’s on trial. Kathleen Wynne and the Liberals can’t be trusted to put the interests of the province ahead of their own. They are plagued with scandal … and swimming with ethical lapses," he said.

-with files from Chris Reynolds

Excerpts of the Hansard transcript of the question period exchange follows:

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My question is for the Premier. The trial of two top Liberal operatives, including the Premier’s deputy chief of staff, got under way last week in Sudbury and it didn’t take long for Ontarians to learn shocking new details about how far the Premier and her Liberal Party were willing to go to win the 2015 Sudbury by-election. It’s alleged that the Minister of Energy demanded paid jobs for staff in exchange for running as the Liberal candidate in the by-election. Can the Premier tell us right now, did she agree to this demand?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Mr. Speaker, I’ve been very open with the Legislature, I’ve been open with the media and with the public about the allegations related to the Sudbury by-election. As the leader of the third party knows, parliamentary privilege extends to all members and exempts the members from the normal obligation to attend court if summoned as a witness. I’ve said all along that I would be open and transparent and that I would work with the process, and that is exactly what I have been doing. Therefore, I will waive my parliamentary privilege. I will appear as a witness on September 13. The matter is before the courts and we really need to let that process play out.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: It appears from the evidence that the only reason the Minister of Energy himself has not been charged is because, under the law, it’s illegal to offer a bribe but not illegal to accept one. The minister appears to be hiding behind a legal technicality, and the Premier appears to be encouraging him in—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Stop the clock. Come to order, please.

Please finish.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: When will the Premier show the kind of leadership that the people of this province expect, admit that there was wrongdoing in Sudbury and ask her minister to step down from cabinet?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Attorney General.

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: I think the leader of the third party and all members of this House know very well that this matter—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Second time, chief government whip.

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: Speaker, this matter is before the courts as we speak, and it would be highly inappropriate for any one of us to engage in any conversation or speculation about that case. I urge all members to respect the rules of this House, to respect the independent legal process that is ongoing and to refrain from asking questions that could have an impact on that important case that is going on.

Miss Monique Taylor: You should give your Premier the same advice.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Hamilton Mountain: Come to order.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: I find it unbelievable that the Liberals are lecturing the rest of us about the respecting of rules when it comes to the Sudbury by-election. All we wanted was for the rules to be respected.

The Premier’s former deputy chief of staff is accused of offering the Minister of Energy a bribe to run in the Sudbury by-election. That’s not in sync with the rules on the way people are supposed to behave in this Legislature. We know from the testimony that the minister requested paid jobs for staff to run in the by-election. Did the Premier direct Ms. Sorbara to give in to the minister’s demand, so that he would agree to be a Liberal candidate in the by-election?

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: Speaker, what’s shocking and surprising is that the leader of the third party continues to play politics when there is actually a legal process that is ongoing. I think that’s unacceptable. This House is not the court of law. This House is not the judge and the jury.

This House is here to represent the interests of the people of Ontario. This House is here to talk about things that are important to the people of Ontario. This House is not here to interfere in a legal proceeding that is going on. Again, I urge all members, including the member of the third party, to respect the trial that is ongoing, as we speak, in Sudbury.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Final supplementary.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: It seems the only way to get the facts out of this Premier and her Liberal party is to drag them through court.

When will this Premier stop hiding behind the trial, order her Minister of Energy to come clean about his role in the actual scandal and start answering Ontarians’ questions about what went on, what she knew and when she knew it?

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: I will repeat my answer again, because I am going to follow and respect the rule that as this matter is before the courts, it would be highly inappropriate to answer any questions related to the case that is ongoing right now in Sudbury.

Heard: NDP leader batters the government with Sudbury bribery trial in question period

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