Despite significant behind-the-scenes activity, Queen’s Park seemed poised for a subdued week. Even a noteworthy advancement in the Highway 413 project, the flagship initiative of the Ford government, failed to elicit much attention.
Queen’s Park
Although the Ontario Progressive Conservatives had successfully reached an agreement with the federal government to proceed with the major road project—a significant accomplishment they could have celebrated—inside the chamber, there were no grand proclamations or jubilant expressions. Instead, the majority of deputies remained focused on the carbon tax, leaving little of note to report.
However, the tranquility was disrupted when Sarah Jama’s name resurfaced in the news. The independent MP, previously embroiled in controversy last fall due to comments on the Middle East conflict, found herself once again at the center of attention. Her past remarks not only led to her expulsion from the NDP party but also resulted in a motion of censure, preventing her from speaking in the House.
Jama’s recent public outing highlighted a new source of contention: the prohibition of wearing the keffiyeh inside the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. This traditional Middle Eastern headdress, symbolizing the Palestinian people, was deemed too politically charged for the current climate by the Assembly’s President.
Jama’s protest against this regulation sparked immediate reactions from all party leaders, including Premier Ford, who criticized it as unnecessarily divisive and called for unity. However, Assembly Speaker Ted Arnott cautioned that the issue was highly sensitive, implying that Ford’s commentary might have been better left unsaid.
With two upcoming by-elections, including one in the competitive riding of Milton, politicians tread carefully to avoid alienating potential voters. Yet, despite Ford’s remarks, dissent within his own party emerged when NDP attempted to overturn the keffiyeh directive. Progressive Conservative MP Robin Martin’s refusal to support the motion showcased rare signs of discord within the government.
As the debate continues, Ford’s stance on the matter remains uncertain, leaving the issue unresolved.
Government Reversals and Flip-Flopping Expertise
In a mere 34 hours, the Ford administration performed yet another about-face, this time concerning the UP Express affair—a record turnaround for the Ontario Progressive Conservatives.
The Prime Minister’s visit to Milton provided a platform for a positive announcement regarding public transit in the Greater Toronto Area: the largest expansion of GO train service in a decade. However, the revelation of a new schedule for the UP Express raised eyebrows.
The decision to have every other train bypass two bustling stations in western Toronto, solely to save two minutes on the route to the airport, sparked widespread discontent among users. Within a day, the Minister of Transport reversed course.
This episode raised questions about the government’s decision-making process. While the initial schedule change likely originated from the provincial transportation agency Metrolinx, it was Ford himself who delivered the news, thereby endorsing it.
While reversing an unpopular decision may project an image of responsiveness, repeated reversals prompt skepticism about the government’s ability to learn from past mistakes. With numerous instances of abrupt policy shifts under Ford’s leadership, the question remains: Is this government truly evolving?
