MPP Randy Hillier expelled from PC caucus permanently

MPP Randy Hillier has been permanently expelled from the Ontario PC caucus.

A letter from caucus chair Daryl Kramp to Hillier stated a full review of his conduct prior to and after his suspension led to the decision by Premier Doug Ford.

Hillier had previously been suspended for comments he reportedly made to parents of children with autism.

Some of the parents said that Hillier said “yada yada yada” to them near the end of question period, but Hillier maintains the remarks were directed at the Opposition New Democrats.

The eastern Ontario MPP has since stated he was suspended because he clashed with some of the premier’s most senior advisers.

The legislator responded to his expulsion Friday on Twitter.

“I’ll never apologize for putting my constituents first. I was informed of the decision while I was meeting with the people that sent me to Queen’s Park in the first place,” Hillier said, adding he would speak more on the issue soon. “You can rest assured I won’t yada yada over the best parts.”

Kramp said Ford was disappointed in Hillier for continuing to escalate the situation in public, as it “demonstrated an ongoing unwillingness on your part to be a team player and to work constructively on finding a solution.”

Hillier, a veteran Tory legislator known for being outspoken, said he had challenged the justification for his suspension and was given a list of what he called “questionable and childish grievances” by backroom operatives.

Among them, he alleges, were complaints that he didn’t clap enough in the House and wasn’t actively sharing posts about the government’s activities on social media.

The premier said earlier this week that he would talk to Hillier about the matter but declined to elaborate further.

Party members in Hillier’s riding had launched a petition calling for him to be reinstated in caucus.

With files from The Canadian Press