MPP Jama moves forward representing Hamilton-Centre as an independent, vowed to sue Premier Ford for libel, fight censure in the legislature
On Tuesday Nov. 14, Hamilton Centre MPP Sarah Jama opened her independent office, resuming in person hours and case work for the first time since her recent removal from the New Democratic Party caucus.
During her speech at the opening of the office, Jama outlined her goals moving forward as an independent and her plans to address her current censure in the provincial legislature.
Jama’s removal from the NDP party on Oct. 23 came two weeks after she released a statement on Oct. 10 calling for a ceasefire by Israel in Gaza. She also called for Canada to call for a ceasefire, for Israel to stop restricting water, food and humanitarian aid from entering Gaza and for an “end to all occupation of Palestinian land.”
Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles stated that Jama’s removal was due to some of the actions she undertook following her statements on the Israel-Hamas conflict having “contributed to an unsafe work environment for staff.”
On the same day as her removal from the NDP, the Ontario legislature passed the Ford government's motion to censure Jama. As a result, Jama cannot be recognized by the Speaker to partake in discussion in the parliament. At her speech at the opening of her independent office, she stated that the Ford government would cease her censure if she removed her initial statements and apologize and that she would not concede to these demands.
While speaking, Jama also revealed that she did not learn of her removal from the NDP from party leader Stiles directly, but through a general email that was sent out to all party members informing them of her removal.
I found out at the same time everyone else did, as I was rolling into my seat.
Sarah Jama, MPP, Hamilton Centre
Jama addressed questions regarding her ability to represent her Hamilton Centre constituents as a result of being barred from speaking in parliament, in which she made clear that she is currently pursuing legal action against her censure.
“I have no intention of sitting there censured. I'll be doing everything I can to prove that it was an illegal censure,” said Jama.
I have no intention of sitting there censured. I'll be doing everything I can to prove that it was an illegal censure.
Sarah Jama, MPP, Hamilton Centre
Furthermore, Jama affirmed that she would be pursuing legal action against Premier Ford for libel, in response to his accusations of antisemitism against her.
Jama emphasized that moving forward from her party removal and censure, she is focusing on representing the people of Hamilton Centre and working for the issues which she has always been committed to. Jama stated that she is presently concerned with addressing the rising cost of living, accessibility for disabled individuals especially in the midst of the recent transit strike and childhood poverty in Hamilton.
My priority is to focus on Hamilton Centre and the people here who need support.
Sarah Jama, MPP, Hamilton Centre
Jama stated her independent office is now open to the public from 9am to 4pm every day other than Wednesday for her constituents to come in and voice their concerns.
Sarah Jama, an activist and McMaster graduate, is the NDP candidate for Hamilton Centre seat in the Mar. 16 byelection
McMaster University graduate Sarah Jama continues to make waves within the Hamilton political sphere. Most recently, Jama’s extensive activism, community engagement and involvement in Hamilton politics have led her to be acclaimed as the Ontario NDP candidate for Hamilton Centre seat.
The Hamilton Centre seat became vacant in Jul. 2022, when Andrea Horwath stepped down from her MPP position to run for mayor of Hamilton. Jama ran and was confirmed as the NDP candidate in Nov. 2022. The byelection to fill the Hamilton Centre seat will take place on Mar. 16.
Jama explained that her experience with politics and advocacy began at McMaster, when a required lecture was being held in a wheelchair-inaccessible lecture hall.
“There was a sign on the door saying this lecture has moved to [Burke Science Building]. Half the class went to BSB, but he continued to lecture in the inaccessible room because he was like, I've taught for years here and I'm not going to switch just because you need to take a different class … So, I got upset and I was like, you know what? I'm going to try to see if I can get involved,” said Jama.
There was a sign on the door saying this lecture has moved to [Burke Science Building]. Half the class went to BSB, but he continued to lecture in the inaccessible room because he was like, I've taught for years here and I'm not going to switch just because you need to take a different class … So, I got upset and I was like, you know what? I'm going to try to see if I can get involved.
Sarah Jama
Jama’s struggle to obtain proper accessibility requirements to attend her lecture prompted her to get involved with the Student Representative Assembly.
Along with the SRA, Jama joined several clubs and organizations dealing with advocacy and policy on campus. Jama was a student representative for the President’s Advisory Committee on Building an Inclusive Community, a member of the McMaster Indigenous Student Community Alliance, the president of McMaster Womanists and an orientation and transition assistant.
“While I was learning about structures in terms of how to influence change internally, by way of bylaw or policy (which was messed up because even after I got onto the SRA, it was the case that many people didn't look like me or care about the issues I wanted to talk about), I was also learning about organizing outside of systems by joining as many clubs as I could on campus,” said Jama
While I was learning about structures in terms of how to influence change internally, by way of bylaw or policy (which was messed up because even after I got onto the SRA, it was the case that many people didn't look like me or care about the issues I wanted to talk about), I was also learning about organizing outside of systems by joining as many clubs as I could on campus
Sarah Jama
After her time at McMaster, Jama became the lead organizer and co-founder of Disability Justice Network of Ontario. Her lived experience with cerebral palsy has provided her with perspective on the challenges faced by the disabled community in Ontario.
Jama’s other recent work includes rallying against urban sprawl, picketing for underpaid and overworked health care workers and advocating against the expansion of Canada’s Medically Assisting people in their Deaths program.
Throughout Jama’s extensive community and political work, she has maintained a connection with McMaster through volunteer initiatives and as a sessional instructor for INSPIRE 3II3, Intro to Disability Justice, this past spring.
Despite political achievements outside of her time at McMaster, Jama emphasized the power and responsibility that students have in inciting change. The housing crisis, investment into the HSR and the nuisance bylaw have all been major issues within Hamilton’s political sphere that directly affect students.
“Students have the ability to, on a broader scale, influence politics and policy in the city and build the city that we want to see, but we're made to feel as though we don't belong in the city, or that it's not ours. Millions of dollars get paid into the HSR by MSU students. We have a lot of political capital and ability to organize and talk about issues that impact us,” said Jama.
During the Silhouette’s discussion with Jama, she explained that students should seize the opportunity to enact change and reformation while still on campus. Jama explained that she sees campus as a microcosm of society and that its small-scale makes it an ideal environment for students to get a feel for policy and advocacy before entering the professional world.
“Whether it's protesting or getting involved in policy, you lose very little by developing those skills on campus. Whereas people who are outside of campus, sometimes with a lot less privilege and access to these spaces or resources, can face way more repercussions,” said Jama.
As previously stated, the Hamilton Centre byelection is taking place on Mar. 16, 2023. More information can be found at Elections Ontario.
