MPP Sarah Jama continues to fight censure in Ontario Legislature

Embattled Hamilton Centre MPP Sarah Jama is taking her fight to a judicial review, and plans to go after Premier Doug Ford in court as well.

Jama was ejected from the NDP party and censured by Queen’s Park on October 23 over comments made in support of Palestinians in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

“The premier claimed that I condoned the October 7th murder and raping of Israeli citizens…the government motion says I called for the elimination of the state of Israel,” Jama said.

Her removal from the party has sparked backlash from some residents and the Hamilton Centre Ontario NDP riding association, who say she was wrongfully removed from the NDP and censured.

Jama says that when the conservatives voted to censure her, they were doing so with wrong information given to them by the premier.

“A censure is undemocratic and illegal, it’s based on a lie…mislead the members of legislature and create hatred and division among Ontarians,” Jama said.

READ MORE: Sarah Jama pursues legal review of censureship after statements on Israel-Hamas war

Flanked by her legal team Friday morning, Jama said they’ve urgently asked for a judicial review, and will be meeting with court officials Tuesday to discuss scheduling.

But her lawyers suspect the earliest her case will be heard will be well into next year.

“The censure issue which we are council, is in the form of an urgent application we have provided the court with a schedule that would lead the case to be held in april or may of the coming year,” Lawyer David Baker said.

READ MORE: Sarah Jama opens new office amid controversy, stands firm on Palestine advocacy

Political expert Keith Leslie says Jama may have a case.

“She’s facing well into next year…it seems unfair to the 100,000 plus in Hamilton Centre…it gives the judicial review a voice…she lost her position because she made a statement that the conservatives just didn’t like,” Leslie said.

“I thought she had a point…it’s hard to get the courts involved in legislative processes…if Ford is saying she made the statements but there’s no proof…the PC members voted to censure her based on false information perhaps.”

As for a libel case against Premier Ford, Jama says she has every intention of moving forward with that as well.