Cambridge MPP booted from PC caucus over Bill 195

A Cambridge MPP has been booted from the Progressive Conservative caucus for voting against a controversial government bill.

Belinda Karahalios voted no on Billl 195, which grants the government powers to extend or amend some emergency orders a month at a time, for up to two years.

She called the bill an “unnecessary overreach” on parliamentary democracy shortly after the vote.

“By transferring away the ability for Ontario MPPs to consider, debate, and vote on how emergency powers are used on Ontarians, Bill 195 essentially silences every single Ontario MPP on the most important issue facing our legislature today,” said MPP Karahalios in a statement.

Karahalios was first elected in 2018 and had served as parliamentary assistant to Solicitor General Sylvia Jones.

Bill 195 was tabled on July 7.

Since then it has faced criticism from legal analysts and health workers unions.

Premier Doug Ford issued a statement Tuesday saying Belinda Karahalios will no longer sit as a member of the PC caucus.

“Our government’s first priority is the health and safety of all Ontarians, and Bill 195 is an important piece of legislation that protects each and every citizen during the pandemic,” he said in a statement.

The bill passed in the legislature.