"I have let the minister know that his decision to travel is completely unacceptable and that it will not be tolerated again — by him or any member of our cabinet and caucus," Ford said in the statement on Tuesday evening.
"I have also told the minister I need him back in the country immediately."
Later on Tuesday night, Ford's office released another statement that said: "Premier Ford was not aware of the minister's trip, nor did he or his office approve it. The premier learned of the trip after the minister was already out of the country."
Phillips 'deeply regrets' trip
Phillips, for his part, released a statement on Tuesday night after the premier told him to come home. "I deeply regret travelling over the holidays," the finance minister said. "It was a mistake and I apologize. I am making arrangements to return to Ontario immediately and will begin a 14-day quarantine as soon as I arrive."
Phillips took the trip to the Caribbean island of St. Barts on Dec. 13, after the legislative session ended. He remains out of the country, his office said on Tuesday. The trip, which he paid for himself, was "previously planned," the office said.
In an earlier statement issued by his office, Phillips had said: "Immediately following the end of the Legislative Session, which occurred on December 8th, my wife and I departed on a previously planned personal trip outside of the country.
"Had I been aware then of the eventual December 26th provincewide shutdown, we would have cancelled the trip.".....
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