TORONTO, Canada (HOL) — Hamilton Centre MPP Sarah Jama has announced her decision to seek re-election as an Independent after the Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP) rejected her bid to rejoin the caucus. The move has intensified divisions within the NDP's Hamilton Centre riding association and raised concerns about vote-splitting in one of the party's strongholds.
Jama, a 28-year-old disability and housing activist, gained political prominence after winning a March 2023 byelection in Hamilton Centre with 54 percent of the vote. The riding, considered a stronghold for the NDP, was previously held by former party leader Andrea Horwath. Despite low voter turnout, Jama secured a decisive victory, replacing Horwath as the local representative.
The NDP, led by Marit Stiles,
expelled Jama from the caucus in October 2023, citing her "unilateral actions" and public comments following the Israel-Hamas conflict. Stiles said Jama's actions "undermined our collective work and broken the trust of her colleagues" while also contributing to "unsafe work environments" for staff. The decision followed Jama's statement on social media calling for an immediate ceasefire and denouncing what she described as Israel's "domination and occupation of Palestinian land." The statement drew accusations of antisemitism from Premier Doug Ford and Jewish advocacy groups, including the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, who called the expulsion "necessary," citing Jama's "inappropriate and hurtful" remarks.
Despite apologizing and clarifying her remarks, Jama refused to retract or delete the statement, resulting in a censure by the Progressive Conservative government. The motion passed in the Ontario legislature barred her from speaking until she formally apologized and removed the post. Jama challenged the motion in court, arguing it was an abuse of power, but the court upheld the censure, ruling it fell under parliamentary privilege.
Several union leaders and local politicians voiced support for Jama, including Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) President Fred Hahn, who called her expulsion a "massively dangerous move" that could hand political advantages to opponents.
Jama's rejection by the NDP came after months of back-and-forth discussions, during which she expressed her willingness to return to the party. "By denying my application to run for the nomination, the ONDP has stripped the people of Hamilton Centre of their fundamental right to a fair and democratic process," Jama said in a statement on Monday. Despite her disappointment, she remains committed to representing her community. "I have accomplished so much in collaboration with the Hamilton Centre community as an Independent and will continue the fight at Queen's Park."
The Ontario NDP confirmed that two candidates—Dr. Robin Lennox and Aisha Jahangir—will vie for the party's nomination. Lennox, a family physician and advocate for harm reduction, emphasized her experience working directly with vulnerable populations. Jahangir, a mental health nurse and labour advocate, pledged to relocate to Hamilton Centre if elected.
However, the local riding association has criticized the NDP leadership, describing the nomination process as "improper." President Tom Baker warned that barring Jama from the race risks alienating long-time supporters and volunteers. "Many members inspired by Sarah have been shoved aside," Baker said.
Political scientist Chris Erl noted that the riding's history of strong NDP support could be tested by vote-splitting. "This riding has been a lock for the NDP since the 1980s. However, with Jama's independent campaign and the internal party rift, we could see a rare multi-party battle."
Jama, however, has significant grassroots support, with her independent campaign raising over $34,000 in a month. Backed by local labour councils, community activists, and some elected officials, she is drawing comparisons to Independent MPP Bobbi Ann Brady, who successfully ran without party backing in Haldimand-Norfolk.
As the Feb. 27 election draws near, the Ontario NDP faces increasing pressure to reconcile with its base, with some members openly calling for a leadership review of Marit Stiles. Meanwhile, Jama remains steadfast. "Ontario is under attack on all fronts," she said, "and I'm excited to continue this work alongside my community."
Despite the controversy surrounding her campaign, Jama remains resolute. "We've talked to thousands of neighbours about the issues they want addressed at Queen's Park," she said. "I'm excited to continue this work."