Did lobbyists influence Doug Ford’s COVID-19 decisions? Read the exclusive Star series

Why were stores allowed to open as case counts soared? Why were Big Box outlets allowed to welcome customers while small businesses were shuttered? Why did construction continue right through the pandemic?In this exclusive three-part series, the Star looks at how inside lobbyists may have swayed the premier, the $10 million spent on COVID-19 tests that were never approved, and how long-term-care homes managed to secure almost every one of their business goals, from both before and during the pandemic.
Several of Doug Ford’s key pandemic decisions were swayed by business interests, Star analysis suggests: First in the series
Provincial lobbyist registry shows intensive business lobbying coincided with crucial decisions to let construction continue, allow more people on film sets and permit big box stores to fully open — often against the advice of health professionals. Read the story
How Ontario taxpayers likely lost almost $10 million on COVID-19 tests they’ll never see: Second in the series
At the urging of a team of conservative lobbyists, Ontario signed an $80-million deal to buy COVID-19 tests that hadn’t been approved or independently validated. Now the manufacturer is in creditor protection and still owes the province almost $10 million. Read the story
They were the epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic: So how did Ontario’s for-profit long-term-care homes manage to secure so many of their business goals?: Third in the series
Investment-backed long-term-care giants in Ontario have overseen some of the worst death rates in the province from COVID-19. But they’ve also been able to achieve almost all of their business goals throughout the pandemic, thanks in no small part, a Star analysis shows, to an all-star team of conservative lobbyists. Read the story
Find these stories about lobbying, and more, at thestar.com/lobbying
Read more from Richard Warnica