WATCH: Toronto mayor defends Ontario minister's vacation to Caribbean during lockdown

Toronto Mayor John Tory came to the defence of Ontario Finance Minister Rod Phillips, who was found to be vacationing in the Caribbean while the rest of the province remained in lockdown.

News broke of Phillips' vacation on Monday, resulting in Premier Doug Ford asking Phillips to return to Canada immediately. Phillips also issued an apology saying he "deeply regrets" travelling "over the holidays."

"Minister Philips made a serious mistake. He has been chastised by the premier for that, and he has admitted his own deep regret at making that mistake," said Tory.

"But I think people who know me also know that I especially stand by my friends when they make mistakes and when they're in trouble... It's not about the actions, it's about the person. He's a human being and he made a mistake and he'll pay a price for that. I think now it's in the premier's hands. He and Mr. Phillips will deal with it as they see fit," Tory continued.

Phillips came under additional scrutiny after it was found that the minister had pre-recorded videos of himself in Canada to be posted on to social media while he was on his vacation to Saint Barthelemy.