Ontario independent MPP Sarah Jama (Hamilton Centre) called her removal from the NDP caucus “a surprise to me and my office.” “We were immediately locked out of our emails, calendars and databases that were used to communicate and help community members with issues that require immediate attention, such as evictions, ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program) navigation and more,” said Jama in a Tuesday email to her constituents. .Jama said on October 11 she heard many opinions about her tweet accusing Israel of apartheid. READ MORE: Ontario NDP MPP apologizes for accusing Israel of apartheid“I hear them — and above all, I understand the pain that many Jewish and Israeli Canadians, including my own constituents, must be feeling,” she said. “I apologize.”.Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles said on Monday she removed Jama from caucus effective immediately because she belitted Israel.READ MORE: UPDATED: Ontario NDP removes MPP from caucus over anti-Israel comments“Some of Ms. Jama’s actions have contributed to unsafe work environments for staff,” said Stiles. “As such, with the support of our Ontario NDP MPPs, I have been left with no option but to remove Ms. Jama from our Caucus.”.Jama went on to say there are some constituents she can no longer get into contact with. Since she is now an independent MPP, she said her team is working hard to transition their office. This includes hiring and rehiring staff. She and her team remain committed to supporting people with their needed casework and are rebuilding new phone lines, a website and ways to reach out. For now, people can email her at sjama-co@ola.org with any urgent casework requests, and they will get back to them as soon as possible. She asked people to bear with her during this time. Until staff are rehired, she said her office will continue to meet with constituents by appointment only and prefer to be contacted over email. Due to Jama being censured through a motion put forward by the Ontario government, Jama said she can no longer speak in the legislature, but she can vote. “This does not mean that I cannot advocate around important issues to Hamilton Centre; it just means things will look a little bit different,” she said. “I am excited to explore a new way forward with you all.”
Ontario independent MPP Sarah Jama (Hamilton Centre) called her removal from the NDP caucus “a surprise to me and my office.” “We were immediately locked out of our emails, calendars and databases that were used to communicate and help community members with issues that require immediate attention, such as evictions, ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program) navigation and more,” said Jama in a Tuesday email to her constituents. .Jama said on October 11 she heard many opinions about her tweet accusing Israel of apartheid. READ MORE: Ontario NDP MPP apologizes for accusing Israel of apartheid“I hear them — and above all, I understand the pain that many Jewish and Israeli Canadians, including my own constituents, must be feeling,” she said. “I apologize.”.Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles said on Monday she removed Jama from caucus effective immediately because she belitted Israel.READ MORE: UPDATED: Ontario NDP removes MPP from caucus over anti-Israel comments“Some of Ms. Jama’s actions have contributed to unsafe work environments for staff,” said Stiles. “As such, with the support of our Ontario NDP MPPs, I have been left with no option but to remove Ms. Jama from our Caucus.”.Jama went on to say there are some constituents she can no longer get into contact with. Since she is now an independent MPP, she said her team is working hard to transition their office. This includes hiring and rehiring staff. She and her team remain committed to supporting people with their needed casework and are rebuilding new phone lines, a website and ways to reach out. For now, people can email her at sjama-co@ola.org with any urgent casework requests, and they will get back to them as soon as possible. She asked people to bear with her during this time. Until staff are rehired, she said her office will continue to meet with constituents by appointment only and prefer to be contacted over email. Due to Jama being censured through a motion put forward by the Ontario government, Jama said she can no longer speak in the legislature, but she can vote. “This does not mean that I cannot advocate around important issues to Hamilton Centre; it just means things will look a little bit different,” she said. “I am excited to explore a new way forward with you all.”
