Scrapped documentary focused on Sudbury byelection scandal

Sudbury's byelection scandal was reportedly the focus of a TVO documentary on Premier Kathleen Wynne which was recently scrapped.

According to a May 21 Toronto Star article, Wynne's advisers were demanding to see the entire film before anyone interviewed in it would agree to sign the requisite errors and omissions insurance release forms.

The public broadcaster, which is owned by the provincial government, had planned to show Premier: The Unscripted Kathleen by director Roxana Spicer June 6 before she quit due to journalistic concerns.

“Sources say Wynne's aides were alarmed by an apparent focus on the Liberals' Sudbury byelection bribery scandal and were unhappy that dissident former Grit candidate Andrew Olivier was interviewed,” the Toronto Star article said.

Local Liberal fundraiser Gerry Lougheed Jr. and Liberal campaign director Pat Sorbara are part of an OPP investigation into allegations by former Liberal candidate Andrew Olivier.

Olivier provided the OPP with audio recordings of two conversations – one with Lougheed, the other with Sorbara.

He said the two offered him a job or an appointment if he agreed to step aside in the Feb. 5 election in favour of Glenn Thibeault, who ended up winning the seat for the governing Liberals.

The documentary was produced by White Pines Pictures.