When the Ontario legislature resumes sometime after the Oct. 21 federal election, Premier Doug Ford can not afford a repeat of the disruptions that went on before it was adjourned.
Ford blew his chance to do an effective reset of his government with a major cabinet shuffle that was supposed to send the message the Progressive Conservatives were united and back on track.
Mere hours later, the premier was facing allegations of nepotism and patronage against his now-departed chief of staff, Dean French, in the awarding of several well-paid government jobs.
Those came on the heels of reports MPPs and cabinet ministers were fed up with being bullied by French.
It all contributed to the impression of an amateur hour government, already back on its heels through self-inflicted wounds, in just the first year of a four-year majority government.
On the plus side, Ford reacted quickly, thanked French for his service while showing him the door, rescinded some appointments and reassured cabinet and caucus things going forward would be different. They better be.
That said, some perspective is called for.
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