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Last fall, French got into a big shouting match in caucus with MPP Paul Calandra, who had the temerity to suggest the MPPs hadn’t received enough information about the implementation of the cannabis retail policy. More recently, at a caucus retreat, French dressed down a female MPP who told him MPPs weren’t getting enough support to sell the party’s message. She broke down in tears (French later apologized).

Nor do these seem to be isolated incidents. PC caucus members claim that French often treats them like problems to be managed, and acts like he’s their boss.

French’s supporters say he has done some good work and is responsible for much of the aggressive pace of change the government has achieved. At the same time, lurching ahead with insufficient forethought has become an unfortunate hallmark of Ford’s government, and one he has to change.

Those who know Ford well describe him as a friendly and reasonable person, good to work with. Unfortunately, French undermines that image internally and, increasingly, publicly. It turns Ford into the guy who’s basically decent, but who owns a pit bull.

It is not as if French has overwhelming qualifications to be a premier’s chief of staff in the first place, other than his close connection with Ford. He’s an Etobicoke insurance guy who helped on various Ford family political campaigns. Prior to his appointment, he had no experience helping run a government.

Although loyalty is French’s strongest suit, his management style and lack of judgment is undermining his friend’s premiership. If French really wants to help Ford, he can do him a favour and resign. If he doesn’t, Ford has to act. French has become a liability greater than any of the cabinet ministers who were shuffled this week. It is time for Ford to be as tough as people think he is and show his pal the door.

Randall Denley is an Ottawa political commentator and former Ontario PC candidate. Learn about his new book Spiked at randalldenley.com. Contact him at randalldenley1@gmail.com.