Ontario MPP Goldie Ghamari has been removed from the Progressive Conservative caucus, according to a statement released by the party on Tuesday.
The decision to remove Ghamari from the caucus was made by Premier Doug Ford and the PC caucus following a review of her conduct.
In the statement, the party said that Ghamari’s actions were “inconsistent with the values and expectations of the Ontario PC caucus.”
Ghamari, who represents the riding of Carleton, has been a member of the PC caucus since 2018. She was also the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development.
The statement did not specify what actions led to Ghamari’s removal, but it did say that the decision was made after “careful consideration and consultation.”
Ghamari has not yet publicly commented on her removal from the caucus.
This news comes just days after Ghamari publicly criticized the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically the decision to implement a province-wide lockdown.
In a statement released on her website, Ghamari expressed her concerns about the impact of the lockdown on small businesses and the mental health of Ontarians.
She also called for more transparency and accountability from the government in their decision-making process.
Ghamari’s removal from the caucus has sparked mixed reactions, with some praising her for speaking out and others criticizing her for going against the party’s stance.
This is not the first time a member of the PC caucus has been removed. In 2018, MPP Randy Hillier was removed from the caucus for making “disrespectful comments” towards parents of children with autism.
As of now, Ghamari will continue to serve as an independent MPP for the riding of Carleton.
The PC party has not yet announced who will replace Ghamari as the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development.
This is a developing story and Global News will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
