Ontario Liberal MPP Mitzie Hunter said Education Minister Stephen Lecce committed contempt of the legislature for his comments about stopping a strike by Canadian Union for Public Employees (CUPE) education workers. .“Presuming passage of legislation has long been established by this chamber to a be a primae facie case of privilege and it is my belief comments made by the minister of Education over the last few hours qualify as a breach of parliamentary privilege,” said Hunter in a letter to Ontario Legislature Speaker Ted Arnott. .The bill to impose a contract on CUPE education workers was tabled Monday, and Lecce’s comments were made the same day. .Lecce participated in a press conference at Queen’s Park after the bill was introduced. He said “it is certainly our intention that kids will be in school, we will pass a law.” .He was quoted in a Canadian Press article as saying the Ontario government is “going to pass this bill.”.There is a precedent from previous speakers when determining contempt. .Former Ontario Legislature speaker Chris Stockwell made a ruling about contempt on a ministry pamphlet saying “new city wards will be created” in 1997. .“In my opinion, they convey the impression that the passage of the requisite legislation was not necessary or was a foregone conclusion, or that the assembly and the Legislature had a pro forma, tangential, even inferior role in the legislative and lawmaking process, and in doing so, they appear to diminish the respect that is due to this House,” said Stockwell. .Stockwell laid out a two-pronged test for whether the presumed passage of legislation could be considered contempt. He said contempt can be determined when a politician conveys the passage of the legislation is necessary or a foregone conclusion and appears to diminish the respect of the Ontario Legislature. .Former Ontario Legislature speaker Steve Peters said using qualifying language, such as we are proposing, leaves the impression further steps are required before implementing a bill is possible. Peters said qualifying language means contempt cannot be established. .Hunter said it's clear Lecce’s comments meet the test set out by Stockwell and do not include any qualifying language cited by Peters. .“As such, I ask the Speaker to make a finding that a primae facie case of contempt has been established,” said Hunter. .“Additionally, as the minister of Education publicly stated his intent to fast track the bill without thorough debate or meaningful consultation, it is imperative that you rule on this matter as soon as possible.” .CUPE said on Monday its 55,000 education workers would stage a province-wide protest Friday against legislative attacks from the Ontario government..READ MORE: CUPE Ontario ramps up pressure in the face of legislative attacks on education workers.Lecce introduced legislation to impose a contract on education workers and avert the strike. .“And today, we are taking action to ensure your child remains in the classroom,” he said.
