O'Toole says 'stay tuned' on if all Conservative MPs can enter House under vaccine mandate
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole emerged onto an Ottawa street Thursday after spending two days behind closed doors with his elected members, plotting out their priorities ahead of Parliament's return.
One thing he still insists on keeping a mystery, however, is whether all 119 Conservative MPs will be allowed to enter on Monday, when a vaccine mandate kicks into effect for the House of Commons precinct.
"As I've said, you'll see us in the House on Monday, and we're looking forward to, as we always have, following the rules of the House of Commons, making sure we're holding the government to account," he said while speaking to reporters briefly.
That day, MPs must appear in person if they want to vote for Speaker, a position for which some Conservatives plan on running.
O'Toole remains the only federal party leader with seats in the House who has so far refused to confirm how many of his members are fully immunized against COVID-19.
As Opposition leader, he has previously said any MP he's tapped to take on a critic role will be ready to appear there.
But on Thursday, when asked directly whether his entire Conservative team will be able to assume their seats, he said: "We're going to be ready to go Monday. You'll have to stay tuned."
Several other MPs said they will wait and see what happens.
"I certainly know that I'm going to be in the House, and I'm hopeful that I'm joined by all my colleagues," said Michael Barrett, deputy Opposition House leader.
Opposition House leader Gerard Deltell said earlier in the day that any of his Conservative colleagues who are not yet vaccinated against COVID-19 should roll up their sleeves.
Deltell said he believes the majority of Conservative MPs are immunized and hopes "that everybody will get vaccinated to sit in the House of Commons."
"If they want to attend the House of Commons, which is their duty, they have to be vaccinated."
An analysis by The Canadian Press shows at least 82 Conservatives, including O'Toole, say they have been double vaccinated.
At least four, including Ontario MP Leslyn Lewis, say they don't disclose their vaccination status as a principle, and two others say they can't be immunized for medical reasons. Lewis had previously questioned the efficacy of vaccinating children against COVID-19.
Saskatchewan backbench MP Cathay Wagantall, who is among those who haven't publicly disclosed whether she's fully vaccinated, teased after Thursday's meeting to "come and see" whether she appears Monday.
"I love my job," she added.
MPs will be required to show proof of vaccination any time before they walk into the House of Commons starting on Monday. Many have done so at their swearing-in events and kiosks have been set up around the Commons for MPs to show their vaccination certificates.
O'Toole didn't make vaccination a condition for candidacy in the recent federal election and says while he encourages all Canadians to get immunized, he respects the rights of individuals to make their own health choices and to keep that information private.
That position, which sets him apart from other party leaders in the House, has dogged him since the national vote. He has had to manage the issue of vaccine mandates within his caucus, as MPs have varying views on the policy's importance.
In an attempt to strike a balance between caucus members who strongly oppose vaccine mandates and those who feel like the issue has become a distraction for Conservatives, O'Toole has said when the House resumes his caucus will raise a point of privilege with the Speaker over how the decision was made.
He's taken issue with the fact the policy wasn't set by MPs in the House of Commons, but was decided by an all-party parliamentary committee that governs administrative issues.
Joel Godin, a Quebec Tory MPwho's running for Speaker, said Thursday that he believes it's important for all elected members to be able to vote.
In terms of priorities for the upcoming Parliament, O'Toole said he would focus on Canada's relationship with the United States and trade, expressing concern with approaches taken by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Barrett added Conservatives expect the government to address how it plans to deal with the flooding in British Columbia, and the impact inflation is having on Canadians' cost of living.
O'Toole and his inner circle likely hope this can be their focus, too, after Sen. Denise Batters launched an online petition earlier in the week in hopes of forcing a referendum on his leadership in the next six months.
As a result, O'Toole kicked the party stalwart out of his caucus and warned other elected members they won't be allowed to stay if they follow Batters' lead.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 18, 2021.
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
A 'tragedy that can't be measured': North Bay's forever chemical problem is also the rest of Canada's
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Questlove was not happy with Drake and Kendrick Lamar's beef: 'Nobody won the war'
While some may have been excited and/or amused by the diss-track feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, the man many consider to be an elder statesman of hip-hop appears less than enthused about it.
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
A renewed Russian offensive on Kharkiv in northeast Ukraine forces some 1,700 civilians to flee
Russian forces began a renewed ground assault in Ukraine's northeast, killing and injuring several people and forcing more than 1,700 civilians to evacuate from the Kharkiv region, officials said Saturday.
For moms-to-be, it's possible to take maternity leave without breaking the bank
Pregnancy is often an exciting and anxious time for parents-to-be. And while painting the nursery and choosing a stroller are typically on the agenda, experts say preparing financially for a maternity leave can help reduce stress later on as well.
Israel orders new evacuations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah as it prepares to expand operations
Israel ordered new evacuations in Gaza's southern city of Rafah on Saturday, forcing tens of thousands more people to move as it prepares to expand its operation and adding that it is also moving into an area in northern Gaza where Hamas has regrouped.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Local Spotlight
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Wilfrid Laurier football player drafted despite only playing 27 games in his entire life
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.
Toronto-area dessert shop featured by Keith Lee forced to move after zoning complaint
A small Ajax dessert shop that recently received a glowing review from celebrity food critic Keith Lee is being forced to move after a zoning complaint was made following the social media influencer’s visit last month.
'Oh Crap!' New exhibit at Canada Science and Technology Museum explores human waste
The Canada Science and Technology Museum is inviting visitors to explore their poop. A new exhibition opens at the Ottawa museum on Friday called, 'Oh Crap! Rethinking human waste.'
Regina police hope new biometric monitoring system will save lives in detention facility
The Regina Police Service says it is the first in Saskatchewan and possibly Canada to implement new technology in its detention facility that will offer real-time monitoring of detainees’ vital health metrics.
Vancouver and Edmonton's mayors bet on who will win Round 2 of the playoffs. Here's what's at stake
The stakes have been set for a bet between Vancouver and Edmonton's mayors on who will win Round 2 of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
'No other life taken': Mother leads ATV helmet drive to honour daughter's legacy
A grieving mother is hosting a helmet drive in the hopes of protecting children on Manitoba First Nations from a similar tragedy that killed her daughter.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
P.E.I. lighthouse, N.B. river spotlighted in Canada Post series
A P.E.I. lighthouse and a New Brunswick river are being honoured in a Canada Post series.