NDP’s Pasma urges Jeremy Roberts to drop opposition to outdoor activities

OTTAWA — Chandra Pasma, NDP candidate for Ottawa West-Nepean, says Conservative MPP Jeremy Roberts’ decision to vote down a motion on Monday that would have safely and immediately re-opened outdoor amenities is hurting local families.

“Jeremy Roberts voted yesterday to keep outdoor activities outlawed in our community. Instead of listening to local families and his own experts who are calling for outdoor facilities to be opened up safely, Roberts doubled down on Doug Ford’s mistaken decision to ban outdoor facilities.

“Families, children, seniors, youth, and the people of our community should not be punished because they are making healthy choices to get active outside,” said Chandra.

Roberts teamed up with his Conservative colleagues to vote down an NDP motion that called on the Ford government to make activities and sports like golf courses, skateboard parks, and tennis courts available to Ontarians again, since the experts say it’s safe — safer than asking people to be indoors.

“The people of Ottawa West-Nepean are following public health rules, but prohibiting outdoor activities doesn’t make sense and it wasn’t recommended by Doug Ford’s own science table. Jeremy Roberts needs to listen to the people of our community and work with the NDP to safely re-open outdoor recreation amenities starting today. Let’s support families in Ottawa West- Nepean, not penalize them,” said Chandra.