York Centre MPP Roman Baber has been ejected from the PC caucus after he opposed the government’s latest lockdown measures.
On Friday morning, Premier Ford put out a statement saying that Baber’s opposition to lockdowns put Ontarians’ lives at stake.
“I will not jeopardize a single Ontarian’s life by ignoring public health advice,” Ford said.
“There is no room for political ideology in our fight against COVID-19. Rather, our response has been and will always be driven by evidence and data.
“Furthermore, Mr. Baber has put himself ahead of his PC caucus team, who have worked around the clock for months to support and protect the people of Ontario through this public health crisis.”
Just hours earlier, Baber wrote an open letter to Ford calling for an end to lockdowns. Baber claims the lockdowns have led to a spike in suicides, bankruptcies and divorces and he says ICU capacity is actually better than before the pandemic.
“The medicine is killing the patient,” Baber wrote.
Earlier this week, Ontario enacted a second state of emergency, requiring everyone to stay at home except for going to work and accessing essential services.
Baber is required to join another party or sit as an independent, Ford has barred him from running as a PC candidate in the next election.
Ford similarly removed MPP Belinda Karahalios after she voted against a bill which gave Ford unprecedented power to issue new emergency orders.
