Yesterday, Belinda was removed from the legislative chamber (and then the building) by Doug Ford's Speaker of the House, PC MPP Ted Arnott.

Belinda was removed despite following the rules MPP Arnott unilaterally set in October for entry into the Ontario Legislature - she provided a negative COVID-19 test.

Click here or on the image below to watch the video.

In October, Arnott unilaterally set his own rules - that every Member of Provincial Parliament had to either use a COVID-19 vaccine passport, or show proof of a negative COVID-19 test, to enter Queen's Park.

After her recovery from COVID-19, Belinda was cleared by Public Health to return to work. She also took a COVID-19 test (as per the Speaker's "rules") and provided the results to officers at the entrance of Queen's Park who then granted her access.

After taking her seat and preparing to ask the Ford PC government a question, Arnott interrupted the proceedings to have Belinda removed. Arnott justified his undemocratic actions by stating Belinda was in "contravention of the COVID-19 screening protocols that have been adopted by the legislature," adding "the member knows full well that the current advice from the medical officer is that she must be out of the chamber for the next 90 days starting from the date in which she tested positive."

These are flat out lies.

The "protocols" implemented in October by Arnott were never "adopted" by the Legislature in any vote. Furthermore, the "protocols" clearly stated that a negative COVID-19 test allows for access - that is what Belinda provided.

In Belinda's case, Arnott made up a new "rule" more draconian than any "rule" set by Public Health.

Four days before Belinda was set to return to the Legislature following Public Health's imposed "quarantine" ending, she had a phone conversation with Arnott. The next day, Arnott decided Belinda should be barred from accessing the Legislature for 90 days.

So, Arnott's new "rule" can now be interpreted as follows: someone who is cleared by Public Health following a COVID-19 diagnosis, and is willing to show a vaccine passport, can enter the legislature. But someone who is cleared by Public Health following a COVID-19 diagnosis, and is unwilling to provide a vaccine passport, is not permitted entry.

That isn't a "rule" or a "screening protocol."

That is junk science by a Ford PC government that is drunk on power.

With the New Blue Party, we will hold PC MPPs, including Doug Ford and Ted Arnott, accountable for their arbitrary decisions that have resulted in people losing their jobs and businesses.

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Jim Karahalios

Leader, New Blue Party of Ontario

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