MPP for Chatham-Kent-Leamington Rick Nicholls formally announced he has joined the Ontario Party, making him the party’s first sitting member in the Ontario Legislature..On the heels of the Ontario Party announcing Derek Sloan as its leader, Nicholls confirmed his support of Sloan..Nicholls was kicked out of Doug Ford’s PC caucus in August and sat as an independent after refusing to be vaccinated against COVID-19..“I am very pleased to announce that I am joining thousands of Ontarians who have also decided to join the Ontario Party,” said Nicholls in a statement..“The Ford Progressives have lost their moral, conservative compass. I’m choosing to be part of a positive movement that will bring back true conservatism to the people of this province, giving hope and assurances to families and businesses who have been hard hit because of the current government’s handling of the pandemic!”.The Ontario Party was formed in 2018 and plans to recruit candidates in the Ontario general election in June 2022..“I look forward to working with Derek Sloan and the entire Ontario Party, as we bring our shared, conservative values forward to oppose Doug Ford’s threat to our freedoms and democracy in Ontario,” said Nicholls, who will continue to represent his riding as he has since 2011..Melanie Risdon is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.mrisdon@westernstandardonline.com
