Windsor-West MPP Lisa Gretzky was one of several New Democrats ejected from the Ontario legislature Wednesday for speaking out against the proposed bill to impose a contract on CUPE education workers.
I was thrown out of the legislature today as I stood up for the rights of workers, human rights, Charter rights and for the amazing members of @osbcucscso.
Ford and Lecce have picked the wrong fight. We are all with you. Solidarity! #onpoli— Lisa Gretzky (@LGretzky) November 2, 2022
Bill 128, entitled Keeping Students in Class Act, would impose a contract on the union using the notwithstanding clause of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
"We see this as not just an attack on these education workers but it's an attack on every person in the province that the government would move to use this legislation and the notwithstanding clause," said Gretzky.
Gretzky says she could not sit silent as the bill was being debated in the chamber.
"That passion came through when it comes to advocating for workers and so as a result some of us were removed from the chamber," said Gretzky.
She was among 15 NDP members who were also ejected. They will be allowed back into the legislature on Thursday. Gretzky said this is the first time in her eight years in office that she has been removed from the legislature.
"There was a lot more conversation and interest today about the plight and the working conditions of these workers and the living conditions, as I said they go to food banks and they work two to three jobs. So if that's what I have to do, get loud like that, then that is something that I am prepared to do every time," said Gretzky.
The vote on the bill will likely take place on Thursday.