I tested positive for COVID-19 and am barred from voting.
Dear <<First Name>>,
I need your help.
The Ford PC government has introduced Motion 8 to extend the terms of lockdown bill - Bill 195, the Reopening Ontario Act. Without Motion 8, Bill 195 and its emergency measures are set to expire on December 1st, 2021.
The vote on Motion 8 will likely take place this Tuesday, with debate taking place tomorrow on Monday.
Please call or email your MPP and ask them to vote against Motion 8.
Unfortunately, I am barred from debating or voting against Motion 8 because on Friday I received a confirmed positive test for COVID-19. I have been ordered to stay home until November 30th and I am barred from entering Queens Park. I was sick for a couple of days but am feeling much better.
All other MPPs, unless they have tested positive for COVID-19, are able to enter the Ontario legislature to debate and vote against Motion 8, even if they do not wish to use a COVID-19 vaccine passport.
Sadly, Randy Hillier hasn't gone to work at Queens Park in a year (with the exception of two votes) to oppose any Ford PC government legislation because he has a deal with the Ford PCs. Randy is not barred from entering the Ontario legislature, but he claims he doesn't go to work because he refuses to abide by the rules set by the legislature - like the requirement to wear a mask. But in September, Randy flew to Alberta to campaign during the federal election, and airlines have similar masking rules in place for their passengers. Please ask Randy to start going to Queens Park to debate and vote against Motion 8 and all other Ford PC government legislation.
Some MPPs have told their constituents that due to COVID-19 "cohorting" rules, they are not permitted to enter the legislature for specific votes. Remind your MPP that these "cohorting" rules are not orders enforced by the legislature; they are friendly deals made between the PCs and the NDP and they do not apply to voting.
Bill 195 is the undemocratic and authoritarian legislation that enables Doug Ford to continue with draconian COVID-19 measures on Ontarians - like COVID-19 vaccine passports, capacity limits, and mask mandates - even though there is no declared "state of emergency."
The New Blue Party is committed to defending the jobs and access rights of all Ontarians, regardless of vaccination status. That starts with holding the Ford PC government to account.
Thank you for all your support,
Belinda Karahalios
Cambridge
New Blue Party of Ontario