A serious lack of leadership, choosing raw power instead of being open to different perspectives.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has removed MPP Roman Baber from the PC Caucus, and denied him the ability to run again.
Why?
Because Baber committed the ‘Thoughtcrime’ of opposing lockdowns.
In an open letter – complete with many statistics – Baber made his case for ending lockdowns:
I was removed from the @OntarioPCParty caucus. It's a regretful decision since many colleagues agree with me, incl @fordnation in large part. I don't regret speaking out for millions of lives & livelihoods decimated by Public Health, I serve the public. 1/2 #onpoli. pic.twitter.com/2qwJvTWHym
— Roman Baber (@Roman_Baber) January 15, 2021
Baber clearly put a lot of time and effort into the letter.
He doesn’t just make attacks or criticize, he brings facts into it and makes a compelling case.
In response, Doug Ford accused him of ‘misinformation’ (note how Ford’s response doesn’t include any facts):
https://twitter.com/ezralevant/status/1350096965288288257
Ford’s removal of Baber is a terrible move.
It is also highly hypocritical, considering that Rod Phillips is still in the PC Caucus:
“So Roman Baber gets booted from PC caucus but Rod Phillips stays in? Doug Ford had a chance to show some openness to criticism and respect for different views, but instead just used raw power to silence a dissenter. Is that what people voted for?”
https://twitter.com/SpencerFernando/status/1350122626866311171
Canada needs more voices like Roman Baber who are willing to speak their mind, not less. Unfortunately, our political parties are increasingly authoritarian rule-by-fear institutions that are unwilling to hear different perspectives.
Spencer Fernando
Of the first page of news sites that came up when I searched for this online, none of them shared the actual content of Baber’s letter. Instead, they shared the Ministry of Health’s fact-checking response that doesn’t clearly address the data Baber raised. Instead of being smug and snide, urging Baber to “apologize to each and every one of these families for minimizing their loss”, perhaps the MOH letter could have responded to him point by point, clearly, so citizens could benefit. Baber was respectful and compassionate regarding COVID deaths in the letter. Thank you for printing the original letter… Read more »
It would seem, that we in the west continue to move away from critical thought ,and democracy. Just shut up and get in line.Very sad.
I voted for Doug. What a disappointment he turned out to be. I truly regret it. He turned out to be another Patrick Brown. Lie to get elected and do the opposite of his promises. Pathetically sad.
Ford won’t win another election, ever.
Who does Premier Ford think he is. We the people of Ontario elected Roman Baber as our representative to rule the province along with the other elected members of the Ontario provincial parliament not Doug Ford. Doug Ford is only one elected member who happens to be the head of the Conservative Party. This does not make him a dictator who can squelch any other persons opinion when it is different than his own. He does not have the power to kick mister Baber out of the caucus and he does not have the power to deny the people of… Read more »