NDP MPP Sarah Jama is threatening to sue Ontario Premier Doug Ford over comments that he made about her on social media that she believes “tarnish her reputation.”
Jama has been a topic of discussion within the provincial legislature following a statement she posted to her X account about the Israel-Hamas war.
In her post, Jama spoke of the history of conflict and colonization that has led to the war between Israel and Hamas and quoted Michael Lynk, UN Special Rappaorteur for the situation of human rights in the Palestine territory, calling the situation apartheid.
While she called for “immediate ceasefire and de-escalation”, there was no mention of the unexpected attack on Israel by Hamas and the deaths that followed.
The Hamilton Centre MPP faced great backlash from members of the government, including from her own party, for posting the statement.
In a statement from Ford on the matter, he called for Jama to resign immediately as a member of provincial parliament.
“As premier, I’m doing what Ms. Stiles won’t and calling on Sarah Jama to resign immediately as a member of the Provincial Parliament. Her views do not represent Ontario. They have no place in the legislature, and they have no place in this province,” his statement reads.
Jama later apologized, saying she “unequivocally” condemns the terrorism led by Hamas, but she pinned her original statement to the top of her X page.
Ford’s office received a cease and desist letter on Thursday from lawyer Stephen Ellis, who is representing Jama.
The letter says Ford’s statement was defamatory and requests that Ford publicly apologize within the next seven days or potentially face a libel lawsuit.
The notice to the premier also threatens a statement of claim against him “personally” should he not retract the posts and publicly apologize within the next week.
Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles says Jama has served the premier with notice for “inflammatory accusations” made against her.
“This is now a legal matter, and as such cannot comment further, though I will call out this government for repeatedly and cynically fanning the flames of division during such a painful time,” Stiles said in a statement.
