Questions remain on protocol for unvaxxed MLAs

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This article was published 04/10/2021 (1476 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

After the province’s top doctor warned Manitoba is about to get hit by a “severe” fourth wave of COVID-19, imposed new restrictions targeting the unvaccinated and the health minister almost begged people to get vaccinated, the government had nothing to say about two caucus members who are unvaccinated.

Of the 57 elected members of the Manitoba legislature, all but two have declared they’re fully vaccinated: Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler and Tory MLA Janice Morley-Lecomte, both of whom have refused to comment, describing vaccination status as a personal matter.

When the house resumes sitting Wednesday, Speaker Myrna Driedger said it’s believed only the fully vaccinated will attend in person; with 38 of 57 members in the chamber and 19 taking part virtually online to maintain social distancing.

“The government has outlined requirements for all provincial employees who work with vulnerable populations, including members of the legislative assembly, to be fully immunized for COVID-19 or undergo regular testing,” Progressive Conservative caucus spokesperson Delaney Hoeppner said in an email Monday.

“These measures will help protect those at risk and ensure the Manitoba legislature continues to be a safe place to work and visit.”

However, no one at the legislature Monday could say who is checking MLA vaccine status or what the protocol is for testing those who aren’t vaccinated.

When asked how unvaccinated PC MLAs — including a cabinet minister — will attend caucus or cabinet meetings, the spokesperson for the PC caucus didn’t provide an answer.

Other provincial governments have taken a tougher stance on vaccine requirements.

In Ontario, Premier Doug Ford demanded all members of his cabinet be vaccinated or face ejection.

In Saskatchewan, government employees in ministries, Crown corporations and agencies were required to provide proof of vaccination by Oct. 1 or provide consistent negative tests. One Saskatchewan Party MLA was forced to resign from Premier Scott Moe’s caucus for misrepresenting her vaccination status.

In Manitoba, where nearly a third of MLAs will be required to participate in house proceedings remotely, unvaccinated MLAs are being accommodated without drawing attention to their vaccine status.

One Winnipeg business owner says it’s not right it’s business-as-usual for Schuler and Morley-Lecomte online while he’s had to let go of hands-on front-line workers who won’t get vaccinated.

The head of Arctic Buying Company Inc. (a supply chain to Inuit and First Nation communities vulnerable to severe COVID-19 outcomes), Cliff Caners, said he is “disgusted” the government is allowing Schuler and Morley-Lecomte to remain in caucus without being vaccinated or justifying it.

“How dare the government set rules for front-line workers and essential services and yet feel they can change the standard for their own,” Caners said in a letter to the editor.

In response to questions from the Free Press, the Winnipeg-based business owner said he couldn’t take a chance with unvaccinated employees and is not prepared to oversee their regular testing for COVID-19 in the long term.

“Ultimately, I have to protect my vaccinated staff, the public, my business, and my customers from the few that do not want to get vaccinated,” Caners said.

“While I respect their choice, I disagree; and as an owner, I have the right to make hard decisions like letting them go because ultimately they will continue to refuse vaccination and live a lifestyle that could ultimately endanger my business.”

On Oct. 1, Health Minister Audrey Gordon held out hope the unvaccinated would get the jab.

“What I hope is that Manitobans will see the urgency of getting vaccinated and doing the right thing,” she said at a news conference announcing upcoming COVDI-19 pandemic restrictions.

The same day, chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin announced “a very significant lockdown on the unvaccinated.” On Monday, Roussin warned COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations are following “severe”-level projections.

“We’re at a point in the pandemic where vaccine hesitancy is threatening to make the fourth wave worse,” NDP Leader Wab Kinew said last week. “Every MLA should get a COVID-19 vaccination to show leadership and to help combat vaccine hesitancy.

“If the government of Manitoba is saying that every forward-facing public servant needs to get the shot, then certainly every MLA should.”

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca