Silencing Critics: The Ontario Government’s Latest Move to Limit Debate on Important Issues

This week, the Ontario Government told over 10% of Members of Provincial Parliament that they would no longer be allowed to speak during Ministerial statements, nor split time to allow more than one MPP to speak to private members' business.

Tomorrow is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, and I’m proud to share that last fall, I passed my Private Members’ Bill 41, Protection from Coerced Debts Incurred in relation to Human Trafficking Act, 2023, which received the support of all parties. However, despite the bill’s broad support, I am being denied the opportunity to speak during the Ministerial Statement on human trafficking.

This is a disheartening example of how the current government continues to limit debate and silence voices on critical issues. Denying over 10% of MPPs any speaking time on important topics like human trafficking means that many Ontarians are left without representation in the discussions that affect them.

It’s a shame that the government’s actions are driven more by partisanship than by a desire to serve the public. This move to silence its critics is unnecessary, and a step backward in ensuring that every voice in the legislature is heard.