O'Toole says caucus will both respect and challenge House vaccine policy
Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole says that his caucus has agreed to “respect and abide by” the new rules mandating vaccination in the House of Commons, but at the “earliest opportunity” his party will be challenging the policy decided by a board of MPs.
“A question of privilege will be raised in the House of Commons to challenge the improper conduct and precedent set,” O’Toole said. “Only the House of Commons itself can determine its composition and its conduct."
The decision to implement a vaccine mandate was made on Oct. 19 by the Board of Internal Economy, a long-standing cross-party committee of nine MPs in House leadership roles, including Conservatives.
It will require anyone entering buildings in the House of Commons precinct, including the Chamber, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Nov. 22 when the 44th Parliament kicks off.
O’Toole says that when the new session begins, only fully vaccinated Conservatives or those with valid medical exemptions who have been recently rapid-tested will be taking part in the House proceedings in-person next month.
“Both before the Speaker or House rules, and after they rule, the entire Conservative caucus will respect and abide by all the rules and all health guidance,” O’Toole said. “We respect our Parliament, we respect our rules, we respect the ability to keep all Canadians safe, and I encourage everyone to get vaccinated,” said the Conservative leader.
O’Toole will have to wait until the new session begins to bring forward this challenge, after the election of the next Speaker and the speech from the throne.
It’ll likely start with an MP rising with their question of privilege—an opportunity for MPs to raise a concern that they’ve been impeded in fulfilling their duty — at which point the Speaker will consider the matter and likely get back to the House at a later date with a decision.
“Parliamentary privilege” also includes a series of collective rights for the House of Commons to conduct its work.
With the Liberals, New Democrats, and Bloc Quebecois all fully vaccinated and seemingly fully supportive of the vaccinate mandate, it remains to be seen how far the coming Conservative challenge to the Speaker will get.
The Conservatives have previously said that they don’t think it should be up to a committee of MPs -- one that governs MPs’ spending, approves House budgets, manages employment and other House administration matters -- to decide who can and cannot enter spaces on Parliament Hill.
The Senate is responsible for setting its own rules. Despite O’Toole stating Wednesday that the ruling his caucus is taking issue with applies to both chambers, a vaccine mandate has not been implemented in the Senate at this point, according to Alison Korn, a spokesperson for the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.
“With regard to a staff vaccine policy, the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration (CIBA) will be carefully examining its approach and any decisions will be announced in due course,” Korn said. “With respect to senators themselves, a decision is anticipated before the return of the Senate.”
CAUCUS MET TO DELIBERATE
After a few weeks of conflicting messaging on the party’s position on the mandate, O’Toole met behind closed doors with his caucus on Wednesday where this issue was discussed and according to the leader, coming out of it, the caucus was “united” on this approach.
The Conservatives are the only caucus that have yet to confirm how many of their 118 MPs remain unvaccinated, suggesting rapid testing should be a more widely-used option for those who choose not to roll up their sleeves.
While few MPs stopped to speak with reporters following Wednesday’s meeting other than to say that the caucus was united and looking forward towards their main focus of holding Trudeau accountable, caucus members had more to say on their way in to the closed-door discussion.
“I have not disclosed my health status to anybody,” said Alberta MP Glen Motz, who called “the whole issue a distraction.”
“You can draw your own inference by my ability to enter the House of Commons,” he said.
Alberta MP Ron Liepert said he understands that some of his colleagues have privacy concerns, but he has no issues disclosing that he is fully vaccinated.
“We don't have the luxury of sitting here as an opposition party arguing about whether you should be vaccinated or not. We should be doing what constituents ended up sending us to do,” he said.
Asked whether he was confident that all Conservatives will be fully vaccinated by Nov. 22, Ontario MP Michael Barrett said he will see once that day comes. “I’ll certainly be there. I’m double vaccinated.”
CONSERVATIVES AGAINST HYBRID
A decision awaits on whether a hybrid element will be re-instated for this new session. If it is, it’ll allow MPs—including those who may be unvaccinated—to continue participating in debates and votes, remotely.
In contrast, the federal government’s vaccine mandate for the “core” federal public service that was announced earlier this month applies whether employees work remotely or from the office.
As things stand, both the Conservatives and Bloc are against re-instating what were initially meant to be temporary and pandemic-prompted hybrid sittings, though the Liberals and New Democrats still feel there is merit in allowing members of Parliament to represent their ridings, from their ridings.
“We will not let Mr. Trudeau avoid scrutiny by hiding behind a virtual Parliament. We want to see Parliament return as normal,” O’Toole said Wednesday. “Conservatives want to see a return of Parliament and its committees to normal.”
“I have great faith that they will come around,” said new Government House Leader Mark Holland on Wednesday on the Conservative’s vaccine mandate position. “We've been able to work through in the past Parliament getting to a hybrid system, we've been able to get work through the electronic voting. Both of those things they were against, and they came around.”
In announcing the mandate, House of Commons Speaker Anthony Rota said that the decision to impose the policy was taken “to meet ongoing recommendations from public health authorities to help limit the spread of COVID-19 within the work environment.”
In addition to MPs, the policy applies to MPs’ Ottawa staff, political research office employees, administration employees, members of the parliamentary press gallery, parliamentary business visitors, contractors and consultants who want to come into any of the several buildings that hold the House chamber, MPs’ offices, press conference spaces, and committee meeting rooms.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh called the Conservative position elitist.
“Somehow the Conservatives, the Official Opposition of Canada thinks they deserve to be treated differently than everyday Canadians. Pretty elite of them, and pretty disconnected from reality. We should be showing leadership and getting vaccinated,” he said.
IN DEPTH
Budget 2024 prioritizes housing while taxing highest earners, deficit projected at $39.8B
In an effort to level the playing field for young people, in the 2024 federal budget, the government is targeting Canada's highest earners with new taxes in order to help offset billions in new spending to enhance the country's housing supply and social supports.
'One of the greatest': Former prime minister Brian Mulroney commemorated at state funeral
Prominent Canadians, political leaders, and family members remembered former prime minister and Progressive Conservative titan Brian Mulroney as an ambitious and compassionate nation-builder at his state funeral on Saturday.
'Democracy requires constant vigilance' Trudeau testifies at inquiry into foreign election interference in Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified Wednesday before the national public inquiry into foreign interference in Canada's electoral processes, following a day of testimony from top cabinet ministers about allegations of meddling in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. Recap all the prime minister had to say.
As Poilievre sides with Smith on trans restrictions, former Conservative candidate says he's 'playing with fire'
Siding with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on her proposed restrictions on transgender youth, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre confirmed Wednesday that he is against trans and non-binary minors using puberty blockers.
Supports for passengers, farmers, artists: 7 bills from MPs and Senators to watch in 2024
When parliamentarians return to Ottawa in a few weeks to kick off the 2024 sitting, there are a few bills from MPs and senators that will be worth keeping an eye on, from a 'gutted' proposal to offer a carbon tax break to farmers, to an initiative aimed at improving Canada's DNA data bank.
Opinion
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
opinion Don Martin: The doctor Trudeau dumped has a prescription for better health care
Political columnist Don Martin sat down with former federal health minister Jane Philpott, who's on a crusade to help fix Canada's broken health care system, and who declined to take any shots at the prime minister who dumped her from caucus.
opinion Don Martin: Trudeau's seeking shelter from the housing storm he helped create
While Justin Trudeau's recent housing announcements are generally drawing praise from experts, political columnist Don Martin argues there shouldn’t be any standing ovations for a prime minister who helped caused the problem in the first place.
opinion Don Martin: Poilievre has the field to himself as he races across the country to big crowds
It came to pass on Thursday evening that the confidentially predictable failure of the Official Opposition non-confidence motion went down with 204 Liberal, BQ and NDP nays to 116 Conservative yeas. But forcing Canada into a federal election campaign was never the point.
opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike
When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.
Local Spotlight
'I'm committed': Oilers fan won't cut hair until Stanley Cup comes to Edmonton
A local Oilers fan is hoping to see his team cut through the postseason, so he can cut his hair.
'It's not my father's body!' Wrong man sent home after death on family vacation in Cuba
A family from Laval, Que. is looking for answers... and their father's body. He died on vacation in Cuba and authorities sent someone else's body back to Canada.
'Once is too many times': Education assistants facing rising violence in classrooms
A former educational assistant is calling attention to the rising violence in Alberta's classrooms.
What is capital gains tax? How is it going to affect the economy and the younger generations?
The federal government says its plan to increase taxes on capital gains is aimed at wealthy Canadians to achieve “tax fairness.”
UBC football star turning heads in lead up to NFL draft
At 6'8" and 350 pounds, there is nothing typical about UBC offensive lineman Giovanni Manu, who was born in Tonga and went to high school in Pitt Meadows.
Cat found at Pearson airport 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
Molly on a mission: N.S. student collecting books about women in sport for school library
Molly Knight, a Grade 4 student in Nova Scotia, noticed her school library did not have many books on female athletes, so she started her own book drive in hopes of changing that.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
Marmot in the city: New resident of North Vancouver's Lower Lonsdale a 'rock star rodent'
When Les Robertson was walking home from the gym in North Vancouver's Lower Lonsdale neighbourhood three weeks ago, he did a double take. Standing near a burrow it had dug in a vacant lot near East 1st Street and St. Georges Avenue was a yellow-bellied marmot.