Markham-Stouffville MP Jane Philpott removed from Liberal caucus

Philpott defeated Paul Calandra in the 2015 federal election by nearly 4,000 votes

Yorkregion.com
April 3, 2019
Sheila Wang and Simon Martin

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Jane Philpott, MP for Markham-Stouffville riding, has been kicked out of the Liberal caucus.
Trudeau broke the news to the national Liberal caucus in Ottawa on April 2, stating the trust had been broken with two former cabinet ministers.

Jody Wilson-Raybould, MP for Vancouver-Granville, has also been removed from the Liberal caucus along with Philpott.

In a message posted to her Facebook page Philpott responded to the decision."Tonight I was expelled from the caucus of the Liberal Party of Canada. Sadly the decision was made without me being provided any opportunity to speak to national caucus. This is profoundly disheartening for me, my staff and my family - and I know people in Markham-Stouffville will also be disappointed," she said.

Philpott had been a central figure in the SNC-Lavalin saga that has dominated Ottawa in recent months after she resigned from cabinet at the beginning of March citing concerns over how the government had handled the file. Philpott reiterated those concerns in her Facebook post on Tuesday.

"Rather than acknowledge the obvious -- that a range of individuals had inappropriately attempted to pressure the former Attorney General in relation to a prosecutorial decision -- and apologize for what occurred, a decision was made to attempt to deny the obvious -- to attack Jody Wilson-Raybould’s credibility and attempt to blame her," Philpott said. "That approach now appears to be focused on whether Jody Wilson-Raybould should have audiotaped the Clerk instead of the circumstances that prompted Jody Wilson-Raybould to feel compelled to do so."

The MP also made it abundantly clear that her decisions on the matter was in no way tied to her friendship with Wilson-Raybould as some have suggested. "It is frankly absurd to suggest that I would leave one of the most senior portfolios in government for personal advancement or merely out of friendship with Jody Wilson-Raybould," she said.

While Philpott expressed her view that she thought there could be room for a wide-range of views on the matter within the party she acknowledged that her colleagues didn't see it that way.  "It has been decided that there is no place for me in the caucus," she said. "I regret that relationships have been so fractured. I have nothing but good wishes for my former Liberal colleagues and all those who commit themselves to public service."

Philpott finished by saying she would proudly serve the people of Markham-Stouffville for the remainder of the term.

Markham-Stouffville Liberal riding president Stuart Young said since Philpott has been removed from caucus the riding will need to find a new Liberal candidate for the fall election.

Philpott supporters in the riding expressed their disappointment with the decision. "The Prime Minister’s decision to separate himself and the Liberal Party from Jody Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpott today is a turning point in Canadian politics." supporter Arnold Neufeldt-Fast said. "The rootedness, integrity and competency which both embody--now buried by their own party--will still rise up and bear good fruit."

Whitchurch-Stouffville Mayor Iain Lovatt took to twitter to respond to the news. "An absolute legend, role model and example of how to live truthfully & by your convictions. You’re amazing my friend," he said in reference to Philpott and her statement.