New Democrats boot MPP Paul Miller from party ahead of provincial election

The New Democratic Party has booted longtime Hamilton MPP Paul Miller out of caucus less than three months before the next provincial election.

Party leader and Hamilton MPP Andrea Horwath issued a short statement this afternoon announcing she had learned unspecified but clearly unacceptable" new information during the vetting process for Miller's candidacy.

As a result, she said Miller, 70, will not be allowed to run as an NDP candidate for East Hamilton-Stoney Creek in the looming election. I have removed Mr. Miller from the Ontario NDP caucus," she said in the statement.

The party announcement did not explain what new information" had come to light.

The Spectator is reaching out to Miller for comment.

But last month, the four-time incumbent told Spectator columnist Scott Radley he thought something was going on" with a seemingly delayed candidate vetting process and that he suspected someone would challenge him for the nomination.

Miller faced controversy ahead of the 2018 election when an office staff member filed a human rights complaint and grievances related to allegations of bullying and discrimination. The veteran MPP ran for the NDP regardless and the grievances were settled through arbitration in 2019.

More recently, Miller's wife, school board trustee Carole Paikin Miller, has been caught up in a controversy over racism at the board.

Matthew Van Dongen is a transportation and environment reporter at for The Spectator. mvandongen@thespec.com