The Houston government is taking control of a Crown corporation created 22 years ago specifically to take money out of the hands of politicians and keep economic development decisions at arm's length of the party in power. Opposition politicians are worried this is a return to "old school" politics.
Government bills introduced this fall will hand control of nearly a dozen independently run provincial agencies, corporations and authorities directly to cabinet ministers. Opposition leaders are worried that will mean less accountability and more partisan decision-making.
In a statement, Premier Tim Houston said he "reluctantly accepted" the resignation Wednesday of Tom Hickey, someone he has described as a longtime personal friend.