A few days ago I got an email from YouTube informing me I had violated their rules on “spam, deceptive practices and scam” and that my account would be terminated. 
The video clips which I occasionally post here to help make a point are gone for good.
Generally speaking, if people upload material on to YouTube which goes against their rules and guidelines they are given a warning - three strikes and you are out.
Egregious
But if your transgression was egregious you can be banned from the platform immediately without going through the three strikes procedure.
Which is what happened to me.
In the case of the three strikes procedure transgressors are told what content was removed; what policies it violated; how it affects their channel and what they can do next.
But I have no idea what I've done wrong.
Repeated Violations
YouTube says accounts can be terminated for repeated violations of the community guidelines
(1) like posting abusive, hateful and/or harassing videos or comments
(2) a single case of severe abuse (such as predatory behaviour, spam or pornography)
(3) dedication to a policy violation (like hate speech, harassment or impersonation)
They go on to say:
“We may remove content for reasons other than Community Guidelines violations. For example, a first-party privacy complaint or a Court order. In these cases, your channel won’t get a strike.”
On the face of it, this seems to be what happened to me. But I don't know for certain.
Complaints
YouTube acts on complaints and I’ve been wondering who is behind it all.
I poke politicians in the ribs all the time. They can give as good as they get. And if they are too sensitive they are in the wrong job.
But who else would bother?
I don’t believe Dawn Gallagher Murphy or Paul Calandra complained to YouTube. 
Bullying and harassment
In the case of our newly re-elected MPP Dawn Gallagher Murphy, my videos were straightforward, run-of-the-mill political comment which touched on her extravagant, publicly funded BBQs and her alleged – and well publicised - bullying of staff.
In the case of the Government Minister Paul Calandra I used a few clips from Question Time at Queen’s Park when he repeatedly explained away the Greenbelt scandal by saying, ridiculously:
“We made a public policy decision that was not supported by the people of Ontario.”
Opening up the Greenbelt to development was not in the 2022 Progressive Conservative election platform.
The last video clip I posted was on 25 February just a few days before the Provincial election.
Bogner v Gallagher Murphy
Standing outside Gallagher Murphy’s constituency office, I called out her alleged bullying by quoting from the affidavit filed at the Ontario Labour Relations Board by her then office manager, Teena Bogner.
Bogner settled with the MPP before the complaint was heard by the OLRB and since then her lips have been well and truly sealed.
Gallagher Murphy had spoken at Queen’s Park about non-disclosure agreements and how they could unfairly gag the victims of abusive behaviour. Precisely what had happened here.
It is frustrating not to be told which video clip broke the rules and to have no opportunity to challenge the decision. But I suppose that could risk identifying the complainant.
Fake News
I’ve been absurdly accused of peddling “spam, deceptive practices and scam”.
I don’t do fake news. If I’ve got something wrong I correct it. No ifs or buts.
Anyway, life goes on.
But without YouTube.
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PS: In 2022 when I was running for Deputy Mayor the editor of the Newmarket Era, Ted McFadden, said I could have 500 words to introduce myself to his readers. He didn’t like what I had written and asked me to change it. If I didn’t, the piece wouldn’t be published. And it wasn’t.
And for some strange reason - known only to YouTube - a clip of Doug Ford survives on my website. The Premier is apologising for his Greenbelt policy. By the time you read this it too could have disappeared.