Miller (centre-right, pictured at a 2017 demonstration) believes Horwath wants a more left-wing candidate. Photo credit: Facebook/Paul Miller
Andrea Horwath and the Ontario NDP announced on Thursday, March 17 that they have kicked 15-year veteran MPP Paul Miller out of the party and will not allow him to run under their banner in the next provincial election this June.
The party claims to have uncovered “unacceptable” information on Miller. However, the official statement issued by the party does not expand further on the exact reason for Miller’s removal, leaving Hamilton East-Stoney Creek constituents, and Miller, confused.
Miller, 71, has told media that he knows what information the party and Horwath are referring to, and that it is not criminally related. He has also said that it is “fabricated and false,” but that he has been advised by his lawyer not to comment further.
The drastic nature of the decision has led many, including Miller, to believe that Horwath and the NDP have an ulterior motive: to get rid of the more moderate NDP candidates in favour of those who are younger and more left wing.
It remains unclear at this time who will replace Miller as the new NDP candidate. But Miller has promised to be on the ballot on June 2 either as an independent or as the candidate for another party. As for Miller’s options, the Ontario PC Party has already nominated Neil Lumsden as their candidate in Hamilton East-Stoney Creek, but the Ontario Liberals and Ontario Greens have yet to specify their candidates for the riding.
This is not the first time that Miller has been at odds with Horwath. She relegated him to the back benches during a previous disagreement.
The timing of the decision also appears deliberate. With only six weeks until the writ period when signs go up and candidates officially start campaigning, the party has not given Miller enough time to legally challenge their decision before the next election.
The NDP has also not allowed much time for an open nomination process to be held, indicating that they will likely appoint a candidate.
When reached for comment by The Hamilton Independent regarding Miller’s situation and whether the Ontario Liberals will allow Miller to run under their banner, Ontario Liberal EDA president for Hamilton East-Stoney Creek, Ivan Luksic, gave a cryptic answer: he did not say yes, but did not necessarily say no.
“From our perspective we see that local New Democrats in the riding are upset, especially with the lack of information provided on Paul Miller’s sudden departure from their caucus. Whether or not he decides to run as an independent in the upcoming election, there are deep divisions that will need to be addressed,” said Luksic.
Ontario PC Party candidate Neil Lumsden was also reached for comment on Miller’s situation and said that his focus is simply on what he needs to accomplish: winning Hamilton East-Stoney Creek for the Ontario PC’s.
As for Miller, he vows to be on the ballot one way or another. Whether that ends up being as an independent or with a different party remains to be seen.
Based in Hamilton, Ontario, Kevin Geenen reaches hundreds of thousands of people monthly on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. He is a regular contributor with The Hamilton Independent and has also been published in The Hamilton Spectator, Stoney Creek News, Niagara Independent, and Bay Observer. He has also been a segment host with Cable 14 Hamilton. He is known for Hamilton crime updates and social media news graphics. In 2017, he received the Chancellor Full Tuition Scholarship from the University of Ottawa (BA, 2022). He has also received the Governor General’s Academic Medal from Governor General David Johnston. He formerly worked in a non-partisan role on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
Based in Hamilton, he reaches hundreds of thousands of people monthly on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. He has been published in The Hamilton Spectator, Stoney Creek News, and Bay Observer. He has also been a segment host with Cable 14 Hamilton. In 2017, he received the Chancellor Full Tuition Scholarship from the University of Ottawa (BA, 2022). He has also received the Governor General’s Academic Medal. He formerly worked in a non-partisan role on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
