Cambridge MPP kicked out of Progressive Conservative caucus

Cambridge MPP kicked out of caucus From CTV Kitchener's Natalie Van Rooy: Cambridge MPP Belinda Karahalios has been removed from the PC caucus after voting against Bill 195.

KITCHENER — Cambridge MPP Belinda Karahalios has been removed from the Progressive Conservative caucus.

In a Tuesday news release, Karahalios said she voted against Bill 195.

The bill would extend emergency orders in Ontario, allowing the government to make decisions about COVID-19 relief efforts.

Karahalios called the bill an "unnecessary overreach."

A statement from the premier's office said Karahalios is no longer sitting with the PC party.

"Bill 195 is an important piece of legislation that protects each and every citizen during the pandemic," the statement said in part.

Karahalios will now sit as an independent.

"That did surprise me," said Cambridge resident Cindy Pero. "Maybe that's how they had to proceed with things. I don't know. Maybe if you don't agree with what the government is saying then maybe that's what he had to do."

Other constituents tell CTV News that the news did not surprise them.

When asked about it during a media briefing on Wednesday, Ford did not mince words when it came to the decision.

"You need to vote on an important piece of legislation like this," he said, but insisted that there were no hard feelings and that he had a ""phenomenal relationship" with her.

The MPP was first elected in 2018 and also served as a parlimentary assistant to Solicitor General Sylvia Jones.