PC teen sworn in as youngest-ever member of Ontario’s legislature

Oosterhoff throws another wrench into Brown’s progressive push, as he has declared he is “100 per cent pro life,” campaigned against the sex-ed curriculum, and opposes a new law that gives more rights to same-sex parents.

Oosterhoff could have been sworn in Monday — as a Liberal elected in Ottawa-Vanier the same day was — but he said he delayed it so family members, including a brother whose wife just gave birth, could attend.

He denied that he deliberately scheduled it to avoid the vote Tuesday on the equal parentage bill that he and other social conservatives opposed because it replaces the words “mother” and “father” with “parent.”

“I wasn’t sworn in, that’s pretty simple,” he said when asked why he didn’t vote on it.

A vote in favour of the bill would have angered his social conservative supporters, but since Brown had said he expected all of his caucus to vote for the bill, a vote against it would publicly signalled division in the party.

Oosterhoff said on his way to the swearing in that he is “absolutely not” a homophobe, but he refused to say if he believes homosexuality is a sin.

“I believe we need to treat everyone with dignity and respect,” he said in response.

“I’m very excited to be sworn in today, to move forward and to make sure that I’m representing all constituents, listening to all their concerns and their priorities.”

When asked what he thinks of Premier Kathleen Wynne — who is gay — he appeared to choose his words carefully, pausing frequently.

“I think Premier Wynne is worthy of respect as the premier,” he said. “I have great concerns with the directions of many of her policies.”

Oosterhoff, who was born in the Niagara region and homeschooled, took a leave from first-year studies at Brock University for his campaign. On his first day at the legislature, in downtown Toronto, Oosterhoff didn’t sound particularly enamoured with his new surroundings.

“I must admit I like the constituency a lot more than Toronto,” he said. “I like listening to my neighbours and talking with my neighbours and making sure that they understand they have their voice heard and Toronto is a whole different scene.”

Allison Jones, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

PC teen sworn in as youngest-ever member of Ontario’s legislature

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