THE LEDE
Goldie Ghamari is out of the Progressive Conservative caucus over “serious lapses in judgement and a failure to collaborate constructively with caucus leadership” — and with “one door closed,” cue the speculation over her next move.
To sum: The new independent posted a photo from a virtual call with controversial British anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson, which a “shocked” and “furious” National Council of Canadian Muslims described as “completely unacceptable conduct.” Robinson, the founder of the English Defence League, was in Canada on a speaking tour for Rebel — and had been detained in Calgary on an immigration warrant.
The next day, Ghamari deleted a photo with Robinson — and said she was “not aware” of his history prior. Her “suggestion that she was unaware of Tommy Robinson's extreme views and criminal background raises questions as to whether her 'excuse' passes a reasonable smell test,” the group responded.
“Hate has no place in Ontario,” Ghamari wrote (she’s since made clear, it was not an apology but a “clarification”).
Still, an earlier tweet where she questioned Robinson’s arrest and accused police of a “double standard” for not taking action against Palestinian activist Firas Al Najim who, she claimed, breached his bail obligations, was kept up.
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs has said Al Najim “has a history of harassing the Jewish and Iranian communities.”
Meanwhile, Robinson said he had reached out to Ghamari “to ask her out on a date.”
By end of day, Premier Ford broke his silence — but Ghamari stayed put. “The premier is extremely disappointed in MPP Ghamari’s decision to engage with and give a platform to an individual whose behaviour and beliefs are at odds with our government,” said spokesperson Caitlin Clark.
NCCM, nonetheless, said her mea culpa fell short of action. "Ghamari must be removed from caucus," they responded.
Three days later, amid an advocacy push for Ford to eject the backbencher, Ghamari was dumped from caucus for “a failure to collaborate constructively with caucus leadership and as a team member.” “While this decision did not come easily,” Ford’s team said it became clear that she “can no longer continue in her role within our caucus,” similar to Sarah Jama's removal from Marit Stiles' caucus over “insubordination.”
Still: Ford’s move followed repeated instances, inside and outside the chamber, in which Ghamari was accused of Islamophobia.
Since the onset of the war in Gaza, Ghamari has been an active voice. The NCCM, at the time, maintained that she was “spreading divisive messaging” through “dangerous statements and retweets that peddle Islamophobic tropes.” Ghamari previously alluded to the Muslim call to prayer, “Allahu Akbar,” and mass public prayer as “a sign of conquest” and referred to the “Muslim/Arab world” as “mentally ill” in response to a viral image from Syria, circulated as footage from Gaza.
But in one instance, she said “attacking any religious institution or targeting people of any faith is completely unacceptable in Canada,” in response to a Toronto Police investigation into a “hate motivated assault” on a hijabi at Yonge and Davenport.
Ford stood by Ghamari, calling her a “strong voice” against Islamophobia, while CIJA applauded her for “demonstrat[ing] leadership” in calling out the "surge in antisemitism, Islamophobia and hatred on the streets of Canada."
Behind the scenes, however, per one source, word is that Ghamari was repeatedly warned about her social media activity. According to another, in November, Ford privately promised at least one individual, who reached out directly with concern over Ghamari’s X use, that his team was on her case.
“Goldie is dead weight. She should be careful,” texted one PC insider when Ghamari’s photo with Robinson went live. “Caucus is big enough to kick her out.”
Meanwhile, at least one NDP MPP had accused Ghamari of “sow[ing] hate and division” inside the chamber. During a debate on a Greenbelt bill in late November, Ghamari was heard telling Lisa Gretzky that she “can’t wait” until CSIS issued a warrant “on you guys for supporting Hamas.”
“There’s an expected level of decorum, basic decorum. People within the different parties will heckle on different subjects. That happens. This was different,” Gretzky said during an interview at the time. “For an MPP inside or outside of the chamber to use words that can sow hate and division is not acceptable. We have a responsibility to bring the temperature down, to bring our communities together.”
It's yet another ripple from the Middle East inside the palace — as the political parties maneuver the response to the war in Gaza and the impact it has domestically.
On her part, Ghamari says she’s disappointed “with Doug Ford’s unilateral decision to remove me from caucus.” “I don’t yet know what the future holds for me, but I am feeling very hopeful and optimistic. I will be taking some time to reflect on my next steps. When one door closes, another opens,” she wrote in a statement.
A federal run could be in the mix for the outspoken politician. Close to federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, she’s viewed as a potential candidate for a nearby Ottawa district in the next election. “I am a conservative and that will never change,” she said.
But until then, she’ll sit across the aisle as an independent — at an arm’s length from Jama, who has already thrown shade: “I did not have ‘Goldie will become my seatmate’ on my bingo card.”
AT THE PALACE
— The House is out for the summer.
— An extra sleepy week at committee is ahead. Only one meeting is lined up: Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy will convene at the Best Western Plus Mariposa Inn in Orillia to continue a mandated study of regional governance. A handful of mayors, wardens and top town bureaucrats are set to appear.
— Nomination tracker: Stephanie Bowman and Ted Hsu have been nominated to carry the Grit banner in Don Valley West and Kingston and the Islands, respectively.
As reported in our last newsletter, the Liberals’ nomination blitz has been set in motion, with an initial “tranche” — about half their slate — set to be approved by September, including past candidates and likely, leader Bonnie Crombie.
Meanwhile, we’re learning new names of wannabe candidates who are planning to run for a nomination:
In Carleton: Carleton University engineer Ryan St-Jean is in. He’s a former school trustee candidate and a “one-time, short-lived” Conservative campaign manager who opposed the Highway 417’s expansion and was a critic of the Ford government’s handling of the autism file.
In Mississauga: Lucas Alves — a local school board trustee — is set to run for the Liberal nomination in East—Cooksville. Nuclear engineer Jawad Haroon, who was considered a top local organizer for the Liberal captain during her leadership bid, is up in Malton.
With the nomination frenzy in full force, this newsletter will keep track of all the nitty gritty. Soon, we’ll have a handy riding-by-riding list available, updated weekly. Reach out if you’re running — or planning to.
— A block down, at the King’s College Circle, the pro-Palestinian student encampment is over with an injunction greenlit by provincial judge Markus Koehnen for the space to be cleared out. University of Toronto president Meric Gertler said the “court order returns front campus to the entire University community and prevents any one group from asserting control of a shared space.”
One organizer called the administration out for fighting “tooth and nail for a patch of grass and the authoritative power to silence their students.”
Students pulled out without police action. “We refuse to give the Toronto Police Service any opportunity to brutalize us, as they have done repeatedly… We are leaving on our terms to protect our community from the violence,” they wrote.
What’s next: Toronto Sun columnist Brian Lilley says it’s time for Gertler to go.
— Ford Fest is on. Premier Ford’s annual barbecue is going down at Country Heritage Park in Milton — a seat the Tories will look to hold. RSVP for the GTA West BBQ.
IN THE NEWS
— SCOOP — WSIB woe? A new poll by Campaign Research — owned by Nick Kouvalis, the Tories’ poll guy — is out and surveying the public on the Workplace Safety Insurance Board.
While it’s unclear whether the poll was drafted on the government’s behalf, it’s gauging support on a key, niche policy line — to take away responsibility for workplace safety from unionized training groups and the Ministry of Labour.
The questions:
Do you agree or disagree that if employers pay more in Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) premiums than is needed to cover lost wages and medical expenses for injured workers, excess funds (surplus) should be returned to those businesses?
Do you believe WSIB should prioritize increasing benefits for injured workers or reducing premiums for employers?
Do you agree or disagree with the WSIB increasing the income replacement level for injured workers from 85% to 90%?
Do you agree or disagree with lowering the premiums employers pay for Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) if those premiums will not likely be needed to cover lost wages and medical expenses for injured workers?
Do you agree or disagree that the Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) should create a new agency to promote workplace safety and training?
If the Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) was going to create a new agency to promote workplace safety and training, what should they call it?
WorkSafe Ontario
SafeWork Ontario
Other
Not sure/No answer
From one labour industry source: “Concerning,” they said. Such a move “would presumably mean reducing money for promotion of and training on workplace health and safety from general government revenue (directly via a ministry) to a user fee funding model (through an ostensibly arm’s length broader public sector agency).”
— Unionized LCBO workers are now on strike for the first time in the liquor monopoly’s history after bargaining between the corporation and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union broke down.
The sticking point: The Tories’ plan to open up the alcohol market and allow beer, wine and cocktails sales in convenience stores, which the union says will result in job cuts. “If we don’t have a job on the go forward, a wage increase really doesn’t make much of a difference,” said committee chair Colleen MacLeod. “Tonight, Ford’s dry summer begins.”
The response: “We are disappointed by OPSEU’s decision to walk away from the bargaining table hours before their deadline,” wrote Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy. “We are more committed than ever to fulfilling our promise of choice and convenience by expanding access to beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink beverages in convenience, grocery and big box stores starting later this summer.”
Inside LCBOs in the GTA last night, checkout queues — but not directly because of the strike.
— “Revenge tour,” go: Mississauga mayor Carolyn Parrish has used her strong mayor muscles to remove the city's top bureaucrat.
Shari Lichterman is out as the CAO, with Geoff Wright — who led Transportation and Works — replacing her. In an internal email, Wright thanked Lichterman for her “years of service,” calling her a “mentor and a friend.”
Lichterman said she “had not been offered any opportunity to meet with the mayor to discuss her agenda and how we could work together” although she had made efforts to do so — and that while she was not provided with a reason for her removal, she, a resident of the city, would “be cheering on the staff team as they continue their work.”
City solicitor Andra Maxwell quit and was replaced by Domenic Tudino. Sam Rogers will replace Wright while Emma Calvert will take over at Infrastructure and Planning Services.
Local councillor Matt Mahoney is the new deputy mayor. A motion approved by council amended the remuneration bylaw, increasing Mahoney’s annual salary, as deputy, by $1,200 per month or $14,400 per full year. Former councillor George Carlson is her new chief.
Meanwhile, Housing Minister Paul Calandra met with Parrish earlier this week. Read up on why, locally, the Tories are bullish.
— Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy has written to federal minister Chrystia Freeland calling on Ottawa to pause "the proposed implementation of a federal Digital Services Tax," which, he says, put a target on Canada's back and harm the relationship with the United States.
POLL WATCH
— A fresh survey by Liaison Strategies shows Doug Ford’s Tories are in the lead — but the gap could be halved if a snap election is called.
The Conservatives are up at 33 per cent, with Bonnie Crombie’s Liberals back at 24 per cent. Marit Stiles’ NDP is in distant third at 17 per cent.
“For now, the Conservatives hold a strong eleven-point lead but an early election would change everything,” warned president David Valentin.
ON THE MOVE
— With a new cabinet in town, the chiefs’ lineup has been rejigged. Here’s the new list, per a memo from Ford's top aide, Pat Sackville:
Blair Hains — Health (Hains exited Stephen Lecce’s team at Education to run Zee Hamid’s bid in Milton).
Heather Potter — Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
Palmer Lockridge — Education
Hannah Anderson — Seniors and Accountability
Cam Vidler — Finance
Michael Klimuntowski — Municipal Affairs and Housing
Patrick Schertzer — Attorney General
Scott Allinson — Colleges and Universities
Matt Hiraishi — Energy and Electrification
Kailey Vokes — Francophone Affairs
Mathew Clancy — Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
Emily Vasos — Northern Development
Megan Skinner — Transportation
Aryn Azzopardi — Infrastructure
Nicolas Di Marco — Citizenship and Multiculturalism
Josh Workman — Solicitor General
Michael Sparling — Sport
Tara Barry — Mines
Adam Bloskie — Natural Resources
Creed Atkinson — Tourism, Culture and Gaming
Jane Kovarikova — Children, Community and Social Services
Suzanne Dennison — Mental Health and Addictions
Ian Allen — Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity
Kosta Zoes — Small Business
Robert Dodd — Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness
Michelle Stock — Public and Business Service Delivery
Brock Hamley — Environment, Conservation and Parks
Saranja Neelananthasivam — Housing (Associate)
Crystal Mason — Energy-Intensive Industries
Dylan Moore — Mines (Associate)
Evan Holt — Red Tape Reduction
Vijay Chauhan — Long Term Care
David Artimew — Emergency Preparedness and Response
Caitlin Clark — Forestry (Clark was Ford’s spokesperson — and is the daughter of Government House Leader Steve Clark).
WHAT WE’RE READING
— Scoop guru Charlie Pinkerton with an investigation into how Therme landed at Ontario Place. Part I on a key Conservative connection, part II on how the company aligned with the province on the project.
— Ontario has directed four agencies — Liquor Control Board of Ontario, the Ontario Cannabis Store, Metrolinx and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation — to spend a quarter of their advertising cash on local publishers.
— Developers are among the biggest winners of the government’s red tape redux measures, “saving hundreds of millions of dollars a year in costs.”
— John Michael McGrath says if the Tories are subject to an inquiry with Crombie or Stiles in power, they’ll have no right to complain.
— A doctor to write the housing crisis’ prescription? Aidan Chamandy has more on Adil Shamji’s new gig — and new boo.
— Should Trudeau take the walk on the beach? Martin Regg Cohn enlisted Kathleen Wynne for the answer. Or the question?
— Here’s the tale on the rise and the fall of the “beloved” Ontario Science Centre.
— A Liberal MP in a vulnerable GTA seat? Don’t expect an easy provincial nomination.
— Ontario’s integrity watchdog was asked to organize several ethics training sessions for senior government staff in the aftermath of the Greenbelt land swap.
— And in case you missed it, our exclusive on the Opposition parties’ campaign war rooms and talent hunt.
Thank you for reading POLICORNER. Are you Goldie Ghamari? David Piccini? Sir Keir with advice for Stiles? The weather man forecasting a less humid July, for goodness sake? Hit me up — ahmad@newsbeyond.ca — with tips, feedback, job moves and all the hot gossip. I’ll keep you anon. We’re back in your inbox next Friday.