Two Ontario NDP riding associations are calling for the resignation and review of leader Marit Stiles just days after MPP Sarah Jama was removed from caucus and censured by the government over her comments on the Israel-Gaza war.
On Monday, the Doug Ford government voted to censure Jama until she releases a formal apology and retracts her statements calling for an immediate ceasefire and de-escalation by Israeli forces. Prior to the vote, Stiles announced the MPP was being removed from the party following Jama’s remarks on the war..
On Thursday morning, the association of Hamilton Centre, Jama’s riding, put out a statement regarding its solidarity with the MPP and its demand that the ONDP rescind her removal and review the leadership of Stiles.
“This constitutes an attack on democracy, social justice and all those activists who fight for truth and human rights. This shameful assault from the leader of our own party is nothing less than a capitulation to the grossly anti-democratic censure by the corrupt Doug Ford Conservative government,” the association said.
“We condemn Marit Stiles’ and senior staff’s decision to remove the strongest voice of justice, truth, and human rights from her caucus, and we condemn their extraordinary efforts to silence voices speaking out for the people of Palestine,” it continued.
Later on Thursday, the association in Kitchener Centre also issued a statement saying it sent a letter to Stiles asking her to resign from her post immediately due to her “colossal failure to lead at an unprecedented time of war and rise of fascism.”
“We sincerely feel that you are out of touch with the one million Muslims in Ontario because otherwise you would understand that your actions have compromised the solidarity work undertaken with Muslim communities in Ontario as a result of removing MPP Sarah Jama from your caucus,” the association said.
“The culmination of all of the above and your failure to nurture a sense of solidarity within the ONDP community and beyond, as well as your failure to lead conscientiously with courage and principle during a complicated and dangerous time when fascism is on the rise globally, has lead us to the drastic action of demanding your resignation, immediately,” it added.
Currently, the Kitchener Centre seat is empty, following the resignation of former MPP Laura Mae Lindo in July, and a date has yet to be set for the byelection.
Jama’s departure has sparked mixed reactions from the community. On one hand, there are thousands who have shown their support, based on this open letter that has nearly 3,000 signatures as of publication. Meanwhile, other users online believe she should have been ejected from the party soon after her initial comments on the war.
