SooToday received the following letter calling for Sault Ste. Marie MPP Chris Scott's resignation.
As the Ontario Party candidate representing the hardworking people of Sault Ste. Marie in the recent provincial election, I have watched with deep concern and disappointment as our current MPP, Chris Scott, has been engulfed in a scandal that shakes the very foundations of public trust.
The serious charges of assault and assault with a weapon, the allegations of intimate partner violence that strike at the heart of our community's values and demand more than a temporary leave or expulsion from caucus. They demand accountability and that starts with Mr. Scott's immediate resignation.
These charges, laid following an incident on Sept. 19, are not mere whispers, they are a profound betrayal of the trust voters placed in him.
Mr. Scott won this riding by a razor-thin margin of just 114 votes, campaigning on a promise to deliver effective representation and keep our seat "at the table" in Doug Ford's government. I can understand and even relate to the NDP candidate's response to the razor-thin Conservative win.
However as much as it stings, we as candidates must always maintain a certain level of dignity setting an example that is long overdue in our community.
Yet now, booted from the Progressive Conservative caucus and facing potential penalties of up to 10 years if convicted, Mr. Scott can no longer fulfill that role.
His decision to cling to his seat while taking a "short leave" from public duties only prolongs the uncertainty and distracts from the urgent issues facing our city from economic recovery at Algoma Steel, OPSEU Strike, rising crime rates, homelessness & supporting families in need, I'm heartened that voices across our community have risen in unison.
The NDP has rightly called for Mr. Scott's resignation, emphasizing that he cannot be laser-focus on our needs amid this crisis.
Mayor Matthew Shoemaker, speaking for the city we all cherish, has echoed that sentiment, noting that Mr. Scott's pitch was built on access to government doors that are now firmly shut.
Even SooToday's editorial board has been unequivocal: "Chris Scott, it’s time for you to go away," urging him to step aside for the betterment of Sault Ste. Marie.
Local advocates like Angie's Angels, born from the tragedy of intimate partner violence in our own backyard, add their powerful plea to this chorus. A recent SooToday poll showed 73 per cent of readers agreeing: resignation is the only path forward.
Notably, while the Green Party and the New Blue Party have remained silent on this matter, the weight of community consensus cannot be ignored. I must stand with my party's principles and concerns regarding matters that erode the safety and concerns of every resident.
We cannot suffer an MPP whose absence undermines the very principles of respect and service he swore to uphold. Mr. Scott, if you truly care about this riding as you once claimed, resign now.
Allowing Premier (Doug) Ford to call a byelection swiftly, giving Sault Ste. Marie the fresh start and strong voice it deserve, it is the right thing to do.
Our community is resilient, but it deserves better than division and distraction. Let's turn the page for the families, the workers, and the future of the Sault.
Paul Frolich
Ontario Party Candidate
Sault Ste. Marie