Vax rules confusion lingers in chamber as throne speech looms

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This article was published 19/11/2021 (1134 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Ahead of Tuesday’s speech from the throne, there is some confusion in government over who needs to be vaccinated in order to attend the Manitoba legislative chamber — and a proposed COVID-19 vaccine mandate for the entire building isn’t coming any time soon.

Premier Heather Stefanson told reporters Nov. 17 she was meeting with her Tory caucus members individually and working with her government to make proof of vaccination a requirement to enter the building. The premier indicated it could happen in time for Tuesday’s throne speech.

In a statement late Friday, Stefanson said her government “is working towards implementing the same rules for the entirety of the legislature,” and anyone in attendance in the chamber is required to be vaccinated.

However, “There is no actual rule in place that says that attendance in the chamber requires that everybody entering must be vaccinated,” House Speaker Myrna Driedger said in an email Thursday.

Earlier this year, house leaders agreed only MLAs who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 would be allowed in the chamber. But there is no written policy or vaccine mandate requiring everyone in the chamber — from MLAs to pages to clerks to 78-year-old Lt.-Gov. Janice Filmon — be fully inoculated.

At Government House, the Manitoba lieutenant-governor’s residence, all visitors are required to show proof of vaccination.

Winnipeg city hall imposed a vaccine mandate Nov. 15, and the House of Commons in Ottawa has a policy taking effect Nov. 22.

Such a mandate is coming, and it will include the entire legislature — not just the chamber, the premier’s statement said Friday.

“All people entering the building will be required to be fully vaccinated,” it said, without saying when.

It won’t be in place in time for the throne speech, government sources said.

For that special occasion, the visitors gallery will be open at half-capacity, with 75 guests allowed to view the proceedings, the Speaker said.

In pre-pandemic times, the floor of the chamber would also be packed, with close to 100 guests jammed in seats behind MLAs for a speech from the throne. The only visitors allowed Tuesday will be the 75 guests in the gallery, which is not considered part of the chamber.

Implementing a vaccine mandate for the entire Manitoba legislative building is not a small order, and it can’t be put in place in time for the throne speech. The legislature is run by a number of departments and time is needed to implement a sweeping policy that affects them all, a government spokesman said.

The house leaders and Speaker oversee the chamber, visitors gallery and two committee rooms. The media has control of the press gallery.

All other areas of the building and grounds are under the control of Central Services, with security run by Manitoba Justice.

Government house leader Kelvin Goertzen and fellow house leaders NDP Nahanni Fontaine and Liberal Jon Gerrard are not responsible for the broader operation of the legislative building beyond the chamber.

“However, discussions are ongoing with the appropriate departments on vaccination requirements for the broader legislative building,” Goertzen said in a statement Friday.

For now, all but one of the legislature’s 57 MLAs have disclosed they are fully vaccinated.

Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler (Springfield) on Friday declined to comment on what he plans to do when those entering the building will be required to show proof of vaccination.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca