The Ford government is protesting the new seating arrangements inside the Ontario legislative chamber that saw all independent members, including Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner, move to the back row – a decision by the Speaker that the Progressive Conservatives believe “conveys favourable treatment.”

After years of occupying a seat on the front benches of the opposition section, Schreiner and his fellow Green MPP Aislinn Clancy were suddenly moved to the back row of the legislature, putting them behind three rows of PC MPPs.

Donna Skelly, a Progressive Conservative who was elected by her legislative colleagues to serve as Speaker this year, told Global News her decision aligns the Ontario legislature with the House of Commons and other legislative bodies across the country.

“I think

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