Doug Ford must fire Will Bouma over his homophobic advocacy

Doug Ford must fire Will Bouma. 

Late last night, on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, Press Progress revealed that Ford Conservative candidate and MPP Will Bouma actively promoted homophobia and the use of conversion “therapy” as Chair of the Youth and Education Committee of the Free Reformed Church of North America. 

Mr. Bouma, whom Doug Ford refers to as an “all-star MPP” for Brantford–Brant, oversaw the publication of the Youth Messenger, a publication that called on young people to reject the “homosexual lifestyle,” claimed that “God condems…homosexual desires and acts,” and promoted the abusive, widely-discredited, and now illegal practice of conversion “therapy.” These revelations come on the heels of prolonged Conservative Party of Canada opposition to Bill C4, which made conversion “therapy” a criminal offence in 2021.

Ontario Liberals know that inclusion, acceptance, and representation are important pillars of governing our diverse province. Doug Ford, on the other hand, gave Mr. Bouma’s radical views credibility by promoting him, and has refused to fire outspoken opponents of 2SLGBTQ+ and womens’ rights like Parm Gill and Sam Oosterhoff.

This time, Ford must fire Will Bouma.