UPDATE 4:28 PM: The office of Sam Oosterhoff issued these comments to Thoroldnews.com, however they did not mention if Oosterhoff was still plannig to attend.
“I don’t think anyone is surprised to know that I am pro-life. I have always been very clear where I stand when it comes to protecting the right to life.”
“While I respect everyone’s right to hold and express their personal views, I don’t believe anything should be compared to the horror of the Holocaust.”
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Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoof has come under fire after reports that he is slated to speak at an online pro-life event organized by a group that compares abortion to the Holocaust.
Oosterhoff was featured as a speaker under the headline: 'Gen Z: Challenging abortion in politics - an evening with Sam Oosterhoff,' hosted by student groups from three universities in Ontario, set to go ahead on Wednesday.
The event was listed as being in collaboration with the National Campus Life Network, an anti-abortion group with a focus on youth.
In a pinned tweet on its account, the network wrote: 'Making abortions an 'early priority' is the same as Hitler who made it an early priority to kill the Jews.'
Oosterhoffs affiliation with the group sparked widespread criticism on Monday, with NDP leader Andrea Horwath demanding that Oosterhoff, who also serves as parliamentary assistant to Ontairo's minister of Education, step down.
Students face an unprecedented challenge and need a #OntEd Parliamentary Assistant to focus on them.
— Andrea Horwath (@AndreaHorwath) March 15, 2021
Instead, Sam Oosterhoff would rather support a group insulting the memory of millions of Jews murdered in the Holocaust & attack women's right to choose.
He needs to step down.
Ontario Liberal Party leader Steven Del Duca also said Oosterhoff should be removed from the role as Parliamentary Assistant.
This is yet another example of @SamOosterhoff’s exceptionally poor judgement. It's inappropriate for the PA to the Min of EDU to attend an event attacking a woman's right to choose. It's backwards & regressive, and Sam should be removed from his role as a result. #onpoli https://t.co/vpyfoSSlMT
— Steven Del Duca (@StevenDelDuca) March 15, 2021
At a media conference on Monday afternoon, Premier Doug Ford said he will be speaking with Oosterhoff about the groups comparison to the Holocaust.
"Everyone has the right to believe what they want, and I'm not going to dictate anyones' belief. But what I don't believe in is comparing abortion to the Holocaust," said Ford.
"That's just wrong. Nothing should be compared to the Holocaust."
