A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Visitors to Queen’s Park started to yell when Government House Leader Paul Calandra responded to questions about the ban by talking about how his party has a “diverse caucus.”
The legislature was put on recess for 15 minutes.
The Ontario New Democratic Party made its first attempt to reverse the ban last week. It did not get unanimous consent.
The decision to ban the scarf, which is worn by Palestinians, Muslims and Arabs was made by House Speaker Ted Arnott, who argued there is a “long-standing” policy about wearing political symbols in the House.
“It’s extremely politically sensitive, obviously, but procedurally, I believe I made the right decision in the sense of past rulings of Speakers and precedents and traditions,” he told reporters last week.
On Tuesday, Independent MPP Sarah Jama was also spotted wearing a keffiyeh openly in the legislature. As of 11:30 a.m. she remains in the house.
This is a developing news story. More to come.
