Do as I say, not as I do

So much for Premier Dalton McGuinty’s pledge to outlaw partisan political advertising paid for by the taxpayer.

An eagle-eyed reader points out that the website for the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission, an arm’s length provincial body, boasts a link with McGuinty’s face.

The click-on button in question is for the worthy Amber Alert program, which helps alert the public to missing children.

It connects to video of the premier announcing the launch of the Amber Alert system last year and Economic Development Minister Joe Cordiano, who used to oversee the OLGC, and Public Safety Minister Monte Kwinter also make guest appearances.

Not sure what McGuinty, Cordiano and Kwinter have to do with publicizing the OLGC’s involvement in an important cause, but it smacks of partisan politics.

In fairness to McGuinty and the commission, the questionable web display predates the premier’s former executive director of communications joining the lottery and gaming monopoly. Jim Warren left the premier’s office last week and is set to join the OLGC in an executive capacity.