is close to Shurman's political riding) was effectively shut down due to a call for a strike by Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 3903. Shurman became involved with a student anti-strike group, York Not Hostage and was successful in bringing significant pressure to bear on the government of Premier Dalton McGuinty. Back-to-work legislation was presented to the Legislature which was recalled from winter break to pass it and bring an end to the strike. Shurman subsequently brought a resolution to the floor of the Ontario Legislative Assembly condemning Israeli Apartheid Week on Ontario campuses. The resolution, debated in late February 2010, passed unanimously. Shurman also co-sponsored two private member's bills with Liberal and NDP members. One proclaimed May as Jewish Heritage Month in Ontario and the other created Italian Heritage Month in the province every June. Both of these bills became law and the affected communities celebrate annually. During his tenure he served as the Opposition Critic for Economic Development & Trade, Francophone Affairs and was Vice-Chair of the Legislature's Standing Committee on Public Accounts. He served as PC Caucus Finance Critic until September 8, 2013 when he was removed from the position after a "heated exchange" with party leader Tim Hudak in which Shurman refused to repay a housing allowance he had received for a Toronto apartment . Shurman was permitted to do this under the rules as he had moved his principal residence from his riding to Niagara-on-the-Lake which is more than 50 kilometres away from the provincial capital. It was later reported that Shurman had proposed to Hudak that he run in a Niagara area riding, in or near his new home, in the 2011 provincial election but Hudak insisted he run in Thornhill because he was concerned that the seat would otherwise be lost. Hudak refused to admit to media that he was aware of the accommodation arrangement which Shurman noted had been discussed with Hudak in early 2011. In the October 2011 election, Shurman ran and held his Thornhill seat against a challenge by former Canadian Jewish Congress CEO Bernie Farber, running as the Ontario Liberal Party candidate. In December 2013, leaks to media suggested an impending resignation would be tendered by Shurman - December 9, 2013. Shurman received a letter dated December 3 and delivered by hand to his office on December 8 by senior staff of Progressive Conservative leader, Tim Hudak. The