MPP removed from NDP caucus over 'values' issue, Horwath says
Author of the article:Antonella Artuso
Publishing date:Mar 21, 2022 • 10 hours ago • 2 minute read • 5 Comments
NDP MPP Paul Miller (right) is supported by PC MPP Bob Bailey as he introduces a bill at Queen's Park on Wednesday, Nov. 22 2018 that would create a Social Assistance Research Commission.
NDP MPP Paul Miller (right) is supported by PC MPP Bob Bailey as he introduces a bill at Queen's Park on Wednesday, Nov. 22 2018 that would create a Social Assistance Research Commission. PHOTO BY ANTONELLA ARTUSO /TORONTO SUN
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NDP Leader Andrea Horwath decided to remove MPP Paul Miller from caucus because the party needs to reflect the “values” of Ontarians.
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Horwath told reporters Monday that she could not provide any more information on her reasons for booting the Hamilton East-Stoney Creek representative.
“It’s something that’s not an easy decision to make but leaders sometimes have to make these difficult decisions,” she said.
Last week, Horwath issued a statement that said the party had concluded its vetting process for Miller and “determined he will not be permitted to run as a candidate for the Ontario NDP in the 2022 election. I’ve been informed of the new information uncovered during that vetting process, and find it to be clearly unacceptable. Therefore I have removed Mr. Miller from the Ontario NDP caucus.”
Miller told several media outlets that the evidence against him was fabricated but could not immediately be reached for comment Monday.
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The MPP’s Facebook page posted a video in February of Horwath with the tagline, “Great memories from the 2018 nomination meeting.”
Miller was the focus of media attention in 2018 when a recorded voicemail message he left on a staff member’s phone two years earlier surfaced as part of an Ontario human rights complaint.
In the message, Miller could be heard criticizing the worker’s union and his decision to take paternity leave.
Miller told the Toronto Sun at the time that he was expressing dissatisfaction with the worker’s performance.
The NDP has suggested that the reasons for his removal are linked to fairly recent matters.
PC Government House Leader Paul Calandra said it’s in the best interests of Horwath and Miller to provide more public transparency on the allegations.
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“Obviously the NDP are having a challenging time,” Calandra said. “They’ve had one candidate removed because of a questionable past with respect to supporting Nazi sympathizers and now they’re having a long-standing member removed because of what we are told are just horrific acts of discrimination.”
If the alleged actions warrant a further response from the Ontario Legislature, then Horwath should make clear what her objections to his candidacy are, he said.
Miller also deserves to be vindicated if the allegations are not accurate or deserving of his removal from caucus, he said.
aartuso@postmedia.com
Author of the article:Antonella Artuso
Publishing date:Mar 21, 2022 • 10 hours ago • 2 minute read • 5 Comments
NDP MPP Paul Miller (right) is supported by PC MPP Bob Bailey as he introduces a bill at Queen's Park on Wednesday, Nov. 22 2018 that would create a Social Assistance Research Commission.
NDP MPP Paul Miller (right) is supported by PC MPP Bob Bailey as he introduces a bill at Queen's Park on Wednesday, Nov. 22 2018 that would create a Social Assistance Research Commission. PHOTO BY ANTONELLA ARTUSO /TORONTO SUN
Article content
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath decided to remove MPP Paul Miller from caucus because the party needs to reflect the “values” of Ontarians.
Advertisement 2
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Article content
Horwath told reporters Monday that she could not provide any more information on her reasons for booting the Hamilton East-Stoney Creek representative.
“It’s something that’s not an easy decision to make but leaders sometimes have to make these difficult decisions,” she said.
Last week, Horwath issued a statement that said the party had concluded its vetting process for Miller and “determined he will not be permitted to run as a candidate for the Ontario NDP in the 2022 election. I’ve been informed of the new information uncovered during that vetting process, and find it to be clearly unacceptable. Therefore I have removed Mr. Miller from the Ontario NDP caucus.”
Miller told several media outlets that the evidence against him was fabricated but could not immediately be reached for comment Monday.
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STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Article content
The MPP’s Facebook page posted a video in February of Horwath with the tagline, “Great memories from the 2018 nomination meeting.”
Miller was the focus of media attention in 2018 when a recorded voicemail message he left on a staff member’s phone two years earlier surfaced as part of an Ontario human rights complaint.
In the message, Miller could be heard criticizing the worker’s union and his decision to take paternity leave.
Miller told the Toronto Sun at the time that he was expressing dissatisfaction with the worker’s performance.
The NDP has suggested that the reasons for his removal are linked to fairly recent matters.
PC Government House Leader Paul Calandra said it’s in the best interests of Horwath and Miller to provide more public transparency on the allegations.
Advertisement 4
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Article content
Hamilton East-Stoney Creek NDP MPP Paul Miller
New Democrat MPP Paul Miller blasts staff's union in spat over parental leave
NDP MPP Paul Miller
Parental leave allegedly sparked workplace harassment: NDP staffer
“Obviously the NDP are having a challenging time,” Calandra said. “They’ve had one candidate removed because of a questionable past with respect to supporting Nazi sympathizers and now they’re having a long-standing member removed because of what we are told are just horrific acts of discrimination.”
If the alleged actions warrant a further response from the Ontario Legislature, then Horwath should make clear what her objections to his candidacy are, he said.
Miller also deserves to be vindicated if the allegations are not accurate or deserving of his removal from caucus, he said.
aartuso@postmedia.com
MPP removed from NDP caucus over 'values' issue, Horwath says
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath decided to remove MPP Paul Miller from caucus because the party needs to reflect the “values” of Ontarians.
torontosun.com