Tory MLA criticizes province’s vaccine policy in social media post
A government MLA is against the mandatory vaccine policy and use of passports, and he’s speaking out about it using residential schools and internment camps to make his point.
Radisson PC MLA James Teitsma tells CTV News he believes the policy will exclude people.
“I really am opposed to forced or coerced vaccinations,” Teitsma said.
As of Sept. 3, Manitoba is limiting places like restaurants, gyms, sporting events and theatres to people with both shots. Children under 12 are allowed in with fully vaccinated caregivers.
Teitsma says he is fully vaccinated, encourages others to do so and works to debunk myths about the vaccine.
But he believes mandating vaccines will only increase vaccine hesitancy and decrease uptake.
“The audience that they’re dealing with have a deep rooted suspicion of government,” said Teitsma
He posted a lengthy opposition to his government’s plan online. He wrote that human rights violations like forcing Indigenous children into residential schools and Ukrainian and Japanese Canadians into internment camps and forced sterilizations have one thing in common - they were popular and favoured by the public.
Later he wrote that expanded use of passports and widespread use of mandatory vaccines had a flood of support and appear to be popular.
“The commonality that I’m trying to draw there is simply that popular opinion and public support shouldn’t be the measuring stick,” said Teitsma
The MLA also wrote people are more at risk going to a Winnipeg Blue Bomber game with vaccinated people than having two unvaccinated, asymptomatic people over for a visit.
In a statement, Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont said Teitsma’s remarks are a health hazard, calling for him to be kicked out of caucus.
“It is absolutely unacceptable and sheer ignorance to compare a vaccine mandate with residential schools, internment camps and forced sterilizations,” Lamont said.
Health Minister Audrey Gordon was asked about Teitsma’s comments.
Gordon said her aim is to protect vulnerable people by ensuring everyone is on board to increase vaccine uptake.
“My focus as Minister of Health and Seniors care is to work with all Manitobans and MLAs and cabinet ministers and leaders of the opposition,” said Gordon
In January, Teitsma had additional committee appointments revoked for travelling with his family during a lockdown over the holidays.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.