Wednesday October 24, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday October 24, 2023

Ontario Legislator Removed from Caucus Following Controversial Comments on Israel-Hamas Conflict

In a surprising turn of events, a rookie Ontario legislator found herself ousted from the New Democratic caucus on Monday, just moments before Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives effectively silenced her in the legislature. The controversy stemmed from comments made by Sarah Jama regarding the Israel-Hamas war, leading to a rift within the party.

News: Sarah Jama ejected from NDP caucus over Israel-Hamas comments: ‘This was undermining our work’  

Initially, NDP leader Marit Stiles stood by Jama after she issued an apology for her initial statement. However, Stiles later revealed that Jama had spoken against a motion in the legislature without prior notification. This lack of transparency and collaboration prompted Stiles to make the difficult decision to remove Jama from the caucus, citing the detrimental impact on the collective work of the Ontario NDP official Opposition.

The Progressive Conservative government seized the opportunity to criticize Jama, introducing a motion that limited her participation in debates but still allowed her to vote. This motion, aimed at preventing distractions, was passed on Monday despite Jama and the New Democrats voting against it.

Earlier in the day, Jama took the floor in the legislature to voice her opposition to the motion, accusing the Progressive Conservative government of using it as a diversion tactic. Her statement echoed her previous remarks, which condemned the occupation of Palestine without addressing the Hamas attacks. Jama, who has Palestinian family ties, emphasized the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire and the restoration of essential resources in Gaza.

The situation escalated when Stiles officially expelled Jama from the caucus, citing her lack of transparency and teamwork. Jama declined to comment following the vote. Stiles clarified that Jama’s initial statement had not received approval from the caucus, further exacerbating the internal conflict.

Opinion: Sarah Jama has deprived herself — and her constituents — of a voice in the legislature 

Adding fuel to the fire, Jama sent a cease-and-desist letter to Premier Doug Ford, alleging defamation based on his comments about her statement. Ford’s lawyer quickly responded, denying the defamation claims and emphasizing the premier’s right and obligation to condemn antisemitism and terrorism. The lawyer further asserted that the public has a corresponding right to hear his stance on these significant issues. If Jama proceeds with a lawsuit, Ford’s legal team vows to vigorously defend against it.

The fallout from this incident highlights the delicate nature of discussing sensitive international conflicts within political circles. It also underscores the challenges faced by lawmakers in balancing personal beliefs, party unity, and public expectations. As the dust settles, the Ontario legislature will undoubtedly continue to grapple with the aftermath and seek to restore harmony and focus on the pressing matters at hand. (AI)

Editorial cartoon printed in the Hamilton Spectator and the Toronto Star.

From sketch to finish, see the current way Graeme completes an editorial cartoon using an iPencil, the Procreate app, and a couple of cheats on an iPad Pro. If you’re creative, give illustration a try: