COLLINGWOOD, Ont. - Premier Dalton McGuinty is dismissing reports that his government is trying to oust one of its most outspoken critics -- ombudsman Andre Marin.
McGuinty expressed surprise with reports that his governing Liberals are anxious to replace Marin with former Liberal MP Susan Whelan and have launched a campaign to discredit him.
"I think he's been very thorough. I think that he has been very helpful," McGuinty said Saturday at a party policy conference in Collingwood, Ont.
"Andre's been very effective at pointing out shortcomings. I think also, if you check the record, we've really made sincere efforts to try to make improvements on the basis of his recommendations."
Marin, who is seeking a second term as ombudsman after the government decided not to renew his contract, will have a shot at the job along with other applicants, McGuinty added.
"I just think these jobs are highly sought after, I think there are a number of people who generally express an interest in these kinds of things, and I think the fair thing to do is to create an opportunity for openness," he said.
Despite the premier's diplomatic tone, the relationship between Marin and the governing Liberals has been fraught with tension over the years.
Marin openly feuded with former health minister David Caplan over public funding of the cancer drug Avastin, and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. has yet to fully recover from Marin's devastating report on insider lottery wins.
And now there are reports of Liberal grumblings about Marin's expenses, including complaints that he's claiming frequent travel to his Ottawa home and made extensive renovations to his new office.
There are also reports that two human rights complaints have been filed against the Ombudsman's office.
Marin rebuffed the allegations as "silly gossip."
Moving the ombudsman's headquarters to less posh digs actually shaved about $345,000 from his budget, he said.
Some 87 employees now work in a space that used to house 14 executives, he said.
Provincial rules also permit him -- and his predecessors -- to claim expenses when he travels home, something he has to do as a single parent with joint custody of three children, Marin said.
The accusation that there's a toxic work environment in his office are also overblown, he said. There's "incredible staff loyalty" and some employees have been with him for 14 years.
"People are well-treated, they love coming to work," Marin said in an interview.
Marin, whose work has delivered more than a few bare-knuckled blows to the Liberals, is seeking a second term after the government opened up his job and two other watchdog positions to a competition.
An all-party committee has already recommended that environmental commissioner Gord Miller continue in his role, and integrity commissioner Lynn Morrison will also keep her job.
But the panel charged with hiring an ombudsman was unable to reach a consensus, and a new committee will have to be formed, said government house leader Monique Smith.
Marin's five-year contract expired March 31, but he was given a six-month extension while the committee vetted all the candidates.
About 50 people applied for the job, but most were unsuitable for the job and only four people were interviewed, the government said.
