In a news release Sunday, the Ontario NDP today saying the Doug Ford government has informed them that they plan to shut down Ontario legislature by Wednesday.
However, Official Opposition Leader Andrea Horwath says the NDP will refuse to cooperate until the government reverses it’s “dangerous” police-state orders in their entirety.
“People are laying in crowded hospital hallways, struggling to breathe, and many thousands more will join them if we don’t replace Doug Ford’s plan,” said Horwath. “Black, Indigenous and racialized people know check stops and carding will target them, because it always has. Businesses are already on the brink and more will go under without help. People’s lives are on the line. Together, we have to fight to save Ontario.”
Horwath and the NDP sent a letter to the Ford government confirming that it will refuse to cooperate until the Ford government has:
- Given Ontarians paid sick days by passing Bill 239
- Cancelled the extraordinary police powers announced Friday in their entirety
- Shut down all non-essential workplaces
- Formally committed to a meaningful package of supports, over and above the few announced, for businesses and workers affected by closures
“We are prepared to discuss how we can run the legislature with the minimum number of staff and MPPs, and with the strictest possible health protocols. We are not prepared to help Doug Ford go home, leaving a police-state in place while he allows COVID-19 to run rampant, overrun hospitals, and steal the lives of Ontarians who would otherwise make it through this,” said Horwath.
“Our province has never faced such a crisis as it is today. For the people elected to protect and support Ontarians to walk away from their duty at this time is wrong, and I won’t do it. It’s time to fight to save Ontario.”
Government House Leaders’ Office response
The Government House Leaders’ Office responded to the NDP press release this afternoon. The following is their statement in full:
“Last week, after several requests from the opposition, Minister Calandra met with the opposition house leaders who requested that the Government consider instituting a virtual Parliament.
After looking into the opposition proposal, it was found that a virtual Parliament would not result in any significant reduction in the number of Legislative Assembly staff required when the House is in session.
In the spirit of the opposition requests, the Government presented options to adjourn the Legislature to keep those who support elected officials safe. As is typical, the NDP have used this as an opportunity to score the cheapest of political points in the midst of a pandemic.
It has become clear the NDP are only concerned with protecting politicians. We are extremely disappointed that the NDP are trying to gain political points instead of protecting the health and safety of the individuals who support the important work of Parliament.
Since the start of the pandemic the NDP caucus have constantly disregarded measures put in place to keep the Legislature safe. They have voted in opposition to safe voting procedures, continued to receive catering services to their lobby, have conducted in person caucus meetings at the legislative assembly and have broken cohort agreements on voting a significant number of times, even for votes the Government supported.
Last week Minister Calandra was very clear in the House that the Legislature would be in session this coming week, which it will be.”
