New Democrat David Christopherson did something this week he's rarely done in nearly 30 years of parliamentary politics.

The Hamilton Centre MP voted against his own party on a matter of principle.

And now he's been punished for it.

The NDP have officially removed Christopherson from his position as vice chair of an important multi-party standing committee of the House of Commons.

"I was warned that there would be consequences and that shoe has now dropped," Christopherson said Thursday.

On Monday, Christopherson defied his own caucus by supporting a motion against a controversial federal summer jobs program that requires applicants to check a box affirming that their core mandate respects the values of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, including abortion rights.

Although firmly pro-choice, Christopherson believes the new rules for the Canada Summer Jobs program are an attack on people's freedom of conscience and right to dissent.

"If the law is an ass, you have right to say so," said Christopherson. "You have to obey the Charter; you have to obey the laws. But you don't have to bow and scrape and commit fealty. You don't have to say I love the law."

"In my view, ticking off that box was taking away a right that they have and that needs to be maintained."

The Conservative motion he supported said groups "that engage in non-political non-activist work, such as feeding the homeless, helping refugees, and giving kids an opportunity to go to camp" should be able to access the funding regardless of their private convictions and whether they sign the application attestation.

Unsurprisingly, it lost 207 to 93, with the vast majority of Conservatives voting for it and the vast majority of Liberals and New Democrats voting against it.

Scott Simms was the only Liberal MPP to flout his party's position. Christopherson was the only New Democrat.

Christopherson didn't go his own way lightly. He wrestled long and hard with his decision before informing the party whip he was going to vote against caucus.

"I pride myself on being a team player. When you do this, it's the antithesis of that. That's why you need to think about it seriously because it's a major statement."

Back in January, during a town hall in Hamilton, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau dismissed the controversy around the required attestation as a "kerfuffle."

But in the face of a growing backlash, the Liberals attempted to defuse the debate, lamely explaining that "core mandate" didn't refer to an organization's beliefs or values but to its activities.

Many religious groups — Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh and Hindu — believe it's simply wrong for the government to impose its political values on their religious beliefs and conscience when the funding is intended to help students and their communities.

According to reports, the introduction of the box-ticking requirement has seen a sharp spike in rejected applications. The new rule is facing a legal constitutional challenge.

Christopherson regrets being removed from his role on the standing committee on procedure and House affairs, which is responsible for the rules and practices of the House, including MP conflicts of interest. But he has no regrets for how he cast his vote.

"I'm very comfortable in my skin, and that's the most important thing I have found in my experiences."

He doesn't directly know of any institutions or groups in his riding affected by the attestation requirement but has reason to believe that some may not have applied because of it.

"For me, it came down to my constituents. It came down to groups who either checked off the box in violation of their conscience or didn't apply because they couldn't sign it. And if they're providing good service and they're obeying the law, why the hell would we not make sure they've got the money to do that good work?"

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Amen to that. And blessings on all politicians who put their principles ahead of party politics.

Andrew Dreschel's commentary appears Monday, Wednesday and Friday. adreschel@thespec.com @AndrewDreschel

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