Andrea Horwath won’t say why Hamilton MPP was kicked out of NDP caucus
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is refusing to say why Paul Miller was ejected from the Ontario New Democratic Party caucus, sparking accusations from the Progressive Conservatives and Liberals of a double standard."
In her first media availability since Miller was defenestrated last week, Horwath repeatedly decline to discuss the allegations against the veteran MPP.
Look, these are decisions that are very difficult. As New Democrats, we want to make sure that we reflect the values of Ontarians. Unfortunately, that's all I can say today," she told reporters Monday at Queen's Park.
Miller has maintained he was turfed based on evidence fabricated by the party."
I've had my differences with Andrea over the years and I wouldn't leave voluntarily so they kicked me out. I was caught completely off-guard," the Hamilton East-Stoney Creek MPP told the Star last Thursday.
They've made a really big mistake here. I've talked to lawyers. I can't divulge the finer points but whatever they think they have is bogus. I'm in litigation now," he said.
Miller, 71, suggested the NDP based its suspicious and foolish" decision on questionable Facebook posts, which he said were not his.
The New Democrats have disputed his claims.
Asked if the alleged posts were racist, homophobic, transphobic, misogynistic" or reflected some other prejudice, Horwath was firm.
I know that there are a lot of questions and I respect that but at this point I've said everything I'm going to say on that topic today," she said.
In contrast to the NDP, government house leader Paul Calandra noted the Tories have been very transparent when the members of our caucus have been asked to leave."
I've been up at the microphone and I've explained exactly what the circumstances were," said Calandra, whose party has kicked out five MPPs for various reasons over the past four years.
Given the serious nature of the allegations that Ms. Horwath is saying accompanies this ... it's in the best interest - not only the legislature but also for Mr. Miller - to really get this out there," he said.
Calandra noted the legislative assembly took some pretty aggressive actions" last month to censure Independent MPP Randy Hillier (Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston), a former Tory, over some of his Twitter posts. He has since been permanently suspended from that social media platform.
If it rises to the level ... then perhaps other actions need to be taken to preserve the house when it comes to Mr. Miller." Calandra said. If not, then it's in Mr. Miller's interest to also have that out there at the same time."
Liberal house leader John Fraser accused Horwath of applying a double standard" when it comes to transparency.
The NDP leader has tried to apply the transparency rule to every government member or other member that got in trouble ... since I've been elected," said Fraser.
For those people ... those people who voted for Mr. Miller, they deserve that. Let the people of Hamilton East-Stoney Creek know why their MPP is no longer a member of their party," he said.
It's like, We can go after the government, but you know what, we don't need that kind of scrutiny because I just can't tell you why.'"
Miller, an MPP since 2007, said he will run as an Independent in the June 2 election.
Robert Benzie is the Star's Queen's Park bureau chief and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie