Manitoba MP’s future in the House uncertain over vax status

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This article was published 21/10/2021 (1198 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says unvaccinated MPs are leaving their constituents in the lurch by pushing back against a COVID-19 immunization mandate on Parliament Hill and virtual sittings.

Meanwhile, the only Manitoba MP to not disclose his vaccination status is headed to Ottawa, amid debates over whether to allow the unvaccinated to take their seats in the House of Commons.

“It is puzzling to me that there are people out there who think, just because they are members of Parliament, they do not need to keep themselves their loved ones, or their constituents safe, when the vast majority of Canadians have done the right thing,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters Thursday.

He noted that just outside the parliamentary precinct, people need to show proof of vaccination to enter a restaurant under Ontario rules. Trudeau argued it only makes sense to have the policy for the chamber.

“It’s not too much to ask,” he said.

This week, the House of Commons’ governing board of MPs proposed a vaccine mandate for all buildings controlled by the Commons, including the chamber.

The board called for the use of routine, rapid antigen testing for those with a proven medical exemption to vaccination. The policy would not include the Senate, which has its own administration.

Constitutional experts say the policy likely won’t fly for the chamber, as it’s up to MPs to vote on any restrictions to an MP’s right to represent their constituents in the Commons.

Still, all parties except the Conservatives support restricting the Commons to the vaccinated, meaning it’s likely such a vote would uphold that policy once the House resumes Nov. 22.

The Conservatives and Bloc Québécois have also opposed continuing a virtual-hybrid Parliament, which had been used earlier this year to allow MPs to vote and debate over video-conference.

The Tories have long argued that system weakens MPs’ ability to hold the government to account, and the voice of those from ridings far outside the capital.

Thirteen of Manitoba’s 14 MPs have said they are fully vaccinated. Only Provencher MP Ted Falk has refused to reveal his status, calling it a private medical issue.

The Free Press requested interviews Wednesday and Thursday with Falk, to get his thoughts on how MPs can best balance safety with personal autonomy. His office said he was not available, in part because he was flying to Ottawa Thursday.

Trudeau argued Thursday that the Conservatives risk not properly representing their constituents if they oppose virtual sittings, given that unvaccinated MPs are likely to be barred from the chamber.

“Canadians expect their members of Parliament to be leaders,” said Trudeau, arguing that vaccination also protects support staff on Parliament Hill, and people visiting constituency offices.

The Tories have repeatedly asked the Liberals to stop using vaccination status as a political wedge, arguing it distracts from measures to convince the unvaccinated to roll up their sleeves.

Meanwhile, it remains unclear how unvaccinated MPs will get to Ottawa once vaccination becomes mandatory to board planes and trains Oct. 30. Those who aren’t vaccinated will be able to travel with a recent molecular test, but that exemption will end Nov. 30.

Some have speculated that unvaccinated MPs will try to make it to Ottawa ahead of that deadline. However, vaccinated MPs have come to the Hill this past week to arrange their residences and get their offices running, after months or even a year of working remotely.

Last month, Falk apologized during the federal election campaign for peddling misinformation about vaccines.

In April, he told a podcast that he was “not completely sold on this vaccination,” saying the shots were created quickly and “may be fine,” but he downplayed the consequences of COVID-19 on people’s health.

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca