Doug Ford’s unusual generosity this past week says much about the man and his flawed concept of public service.

The councillor for Etobicoke North attracted well-deserved criticism for appearing at a public housing complex Wednesday night and handing out $20 bills to residents. It looked a lot like vote buying. And, earlier in the week, Ford’s promise to use $50,000 of his money to upgrade 10 rundown city parks also generated debate.

The two incidents illustrate Ford’s remarkable willingness to reach into his wallet and pull out private cash for what’s ostensibly a good cause. His actions also reveal something else: a political philosophy that favours direct action by wealthy donors over government involvement in providing a public good.

While Ford willingly gives his own money to worthy public causes, he has also been a vocal proponent of service cuts at city hall — including a 2011 budget plan attacking library funding, grants for arts and culture, and even breakfasts for hungry children.

Thanks to a public outcry, hungry kids kept their meals. But before reversing himself and helping to save the program, Ford’s solution was to write a $1,000 cheque in support of one particular Etobicoke school’s breakfast service.

His preferred answer is always: let the private sector do it.

Generous donors have a huge role to play in helping the less fortunate and in answering social needs. But the private sector can’t do it all, and it’s especially problematic when politicians wade in with their personal dollars to fund what they consider worthy.

Just look at the unseemly scene, captured by CBC television, of Ford passing through a crowd of low-income residents and peeling bills from a wad of twenties in his hand. Of course people were happy to receive $20; they could surely use the money. But this isn’t the right way to ease the sting of poverty.

To his credit, Ford subsequently admitted this had been a mistake and vowed not to do it again. In future he’ll restrict his generosity to providing toys for kids and coffee shop gift certificates for adults at the housing complex. Fair enough.

But, as reported by the Star’s Paul Moloney, Ford is still bent on personally donating $50,000 to help revitalize 10 parks around the city. It’s not clear which parks will benefit from his largesse.

There’s nothing against the rules in that, or in handing out $20 bills. But it does raise questions. People understandably suspect a political motive. While Ford says he isn’t running at the municipal level, his brother surely is, and Doug has made no secret of his interest in seeking provincial office.

Yes, residents stuck using inadequate or rundown parks would surely welcome a cash injection to make things better. But the best way to provide that is by enhancing public service — and funding — instead of disparaging and slashing it.

Good policy shouldn’t depend on the whims of a millionaire or the generosity of someone seeking possible political gain. It should come through careful evaluation, to determine where need is greatest, and from dedicated commitment of public money spent according to the principle of maximum public gain.

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