The Liberal MPP for Huron-Bruce says the actions of Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Murdoch and his Tory colleague Randy Hillier in the Legislature are damaging to the process of government.
The two Progressive Conservative members brought the House to a halt in a protest calling for public consultation outside Toronto on the harmonized Sales Tax bill.
Carol Mitchell says she was shocked and disappointed by what has been characterized in the provincial media as “shenanigans” and “a circus”.
Mitchell says the people of Ontario are ill-served when the business of the Legislature is stopped by an absence of decorum.
Mitchell says Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak appeared powerless to stop Murdoch and Hillier from staging their protest.
She says Hudak didn’t want Murdoch and Hillier to do what they did but couldn’t stop any of their actions.
Mitchell says the protest reflects poorly on Hudak and questions what ability he would have as Premier to bring forward legislation or policy programs.
Mitchell says in the end, MPPs from all parties in the House are damaged by the protest.
Mitchell calls such actions a smear on the Legislature.
She says all members of all parties work hard on behalf of their constituents and that what we’ve seen over the past couple of days is a brush that goes both ways.
Murdoch’s and Hillier’s seats in the House will be empty for the rest of the current Legislative session after they were suspended for the protest.