Conservative Chief Erin O’Toole faces his caucus at present to debate what to do about its place round necessary vaccinations, and what which means for unvaccinated members.
The difficulty is high of thoughts as an all-party committee determined final week that members of Parliament will must be double vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19 or have a medical exemption to take their seat within the Home of Commons.
That places O’Toole in a difficult spot as he refuses to reveal what number of of his 118 members are totally vaccinated whereas he additionally opposes any return to a hybrid Parliament.
Learn extra:
Political outliers: Conservative MPs stay silent on COVID-19 vaccination standing
His personal caucus members really feel in a different way concerning the challenge, and what Conservatives ought to do subsequent.
Alberta MP Ron Liepert says he has no drawback telling folks he’s double vaccinated and believes the problem has change into a distraction.
“We don’t have the luxurious of sitting right here as an opposition celebration arguing about whether or not try to be vaccinated or not,” he stated earlier than getting into Wednesday’s assembly.
“We ought to be doing what constituents ended up sending us right here to do, and that’s to carry this Liberal authorities to account.”
British Columbia MP Mark Strahl says Conservatives should be clear like they have been throughout the election marketing campaign after they opposed vaccine mandates and stated those that are unvaccinated ought to have the choice to take speedy exams.
“I believe we must be very clear that we’re nonetheless against Justin Trudeau’s mandate with out affordable lodging for people who find themselves unable to be vaccinated. That must be very clear in every part that we are saying,” stated Strahl, including he has constituents who threat shedding their jobs due to such insurance policies.
Trudeau has stated folks with authentic medical causes for being unvaccinated can be exempt from vaccine mandates for federally regulated staff and air and practice travellers.
Alberta MP Glen Motz stated Wednesday he doesn’t assume it ought to be as much as the celebration chief to reveal private well being data. An evaluation by The Canadian Press reveals at the very least 80 Conservative MPs report being vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19, with two saying they’ll’t due to medical causes.
Learn extra:
Will O’Toole mandate COVID-19 vaccines for Conservative MPs? He’s not speaking
Among the many Conservatives who consider in holding their vaccination standing non-public is newly elected Ontario consultant and former management contender Leslyn Lewis.
Lewis has been an outspoken critic of vaccine mandates and final week additionally posted on social media about vaccinating youngsters in opposition to COVID-19.
She stated mother and father query doing so partly as a result of the photographs don’t assure in opposition to transmission of the virus.
Public well being consultants say there may be overwhelming proof the immunizations forestall critical sickness, hospitalization and demise.
“The media and the facility construction anticipate me to take a seat behind the bus. I received’t!” tweeted Lewis, who’s Black, after her message about vaccinating children in opposition to COVID-19.
“They are going to attempt to paint me as a reckless lunatic with a purpose to lynch me into silence. I’ll at all times inform Canadians the reality, (and) no bully or threats will succeed in opposition to us!”
© 2021 The Canadian Press
