The executive of the New Democratic Party's Ontario wing has voted to revoke the party membership of Canada's best-known union leader.

The party said Buzz Hargrove, president of the Canadian Autoworkers, violated its constitution by endorsing certain Liberal candidates in last month's federal election.

"I'm really quite shocked by this and surprised " Hargrove told CBC Newsworld, adding that he was not bothered by any disagreement, but "by the lack of democracy and the actions taken by the provincial party," which notified him by phone Saturday afternoon.

Buzz Hargrove on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2006 (CBC photo).

Hargrove made headlines during the election by supporting Liberal Leader Paul Martin and urging union members to vote for Liberal candidates in ridings where New Democrats had little chance of being elected.

Hargrove said he wanted a strong NDP opposition, but felt he had union support to "stop the Tories," who went on to win a minority government.

At the time, federal NDP Leader Jack Layton said the CAW leader was wrong to promote a strategic vote.

Hargrove said he should not have been expelled from the party because the CAW endorsed the idea of strategic voting.

"[The decision] ignores the democratic processes of our union and our constitution," he said.

The move by the Ontario wing also cuts Hargrove's ties to the federal NDP.

Hargrove, who has been in the NDP for 41 years and head of the CAW for more than 13 years, said he had no warning he was going to be kicked out of the party.

He can regain his membership if he writes a letter indicating he won't endorse candidates for other parties in the future.

But Hargrove said that won't happen. "Look, I have nothing to apologize for."