Conservative MPP Jack MacLaren faces questions about endorsements

***UPDATE***

Ontario PC Leader, Patrick Brown has released a statement in regards to MPP Jack MacLaren.

“In light of recent inappropriate conduct, I have taken the following course of action in respect to MPP Jack MacLaren:

MPP MacLaren’s legislative responsibilities, including his role as Critic, Natural Resources and Forestry and Vice-Chair, Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly, will be reassigned. Further, MPP MacLaren will be taking time away from Queen’s Park in order to focus on his constituency work and partake in sensitivity training.

I have been clear that there is no room for anything less than respect and tolerance in the Ontario PC Party and Caucus, in our Legislature, and society.

Reassignment of MPP MacLaren’s roles will remain in effect until such time as I determine that appropriate corrective action has been taken.”

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A Progressive Conservative member of the Ontario legislature who landed in hot water last week over a sexist joke about a Liberal MP is facing another controversy.

The Ottawa Citizen reported the pictures accompanying testimonials of constituents praising the work of MPP Jack MacLaren are actually a combination of stock photos and others taken in various spots around the world, and the names are fabricated.

A disclaimer was posted on MacLaren’s website after the story was published, saying:

PC Leader, Patrick Brown says he is gathering all the facts on Jack MacLaren’s website controversy and will weigh his options afterwards.

MacLaren has also been criticized for helping another candidate organize a challenge to fellow eastern Ontario Tory MPP Lisa MacLeod for the party’s nomination in the 2018 election, a controversy he has refused to comment on.

MacLaren’s website is currently down.