SCOOP: Emergency power extension

Plus: Karahalios benched, a hint on the AG's environmental audit, more third-party advertisers, new civil service recruits, and Ford heads to cottage country

ABOVE THE FOLD

First in Queen’s Park Observer — Turfed-Tory-now-New Blue MPP BELINDA KARAHALIOS has tested positive for Covid and is barred from the Legislature until November 30.

EMERGENCY POWER EXTENSION: Karahalios revealed the news in an email blast to supporters last night — tying it to the fact that she likely won’t be in the House to vote on the Ford government’s motion to extend its sweeping, pandemic-prompted emergency powers until March 28, 2022, up from December 1.

Karahalios was booted from the government benches for voting against Bill 195, which introduced the emergency powers in the first place.

“Unfortunately, I am barred from debating or voting against Motion 8 because on Friday I received a confirmed positive test for COVID-19,” Karahalios wrote. “I was sick for a couple of days but am feeling much better.”

MPPs, staff and anyone entering the Legislative Precinct must now show proof-of-vaccination or a negative test.

Karahalios urged supporters to ask other MPPs to vo…