Tory vaccination status in spotlight

Quebec MP tests positive for COVID-19 on eve of new Parliament despite being fully vaccinated

Concern over the vaccination status of Conservative MPs was front and centre on the eve of a new session of Parliament after one of them tested positive for COVID-19.

Quebec MP Richard Lehoux’s diagnosis added urgency to the push by Liberals and New Democrats to continue with a hybrid format in the House of Commons, which would give MPs the option of participating in proceedings virtually.

And it prompted government House leader Mark Holland to suggest Sunday that the Commons needs to adopt a system for verifying the validity of medical exemptions claimed by an unknown number of Conservative MPs.

Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole has said he and all his 118 MPs will be in the House when it returns Monday, either because they’re fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or because they have a medical exemption. He has repeatedly refused to say how many are not fully immunized.

But that was before Lehoux tested positive for the virus on Saturday, despite being fully vaccinated.

Conservative spokesperson Josie Sabatino confirmed that Lehoux’s diagnosis came two days after he’d attended an in-person caucus retreat on Wednesday and Thursday.

She would not say how many unvaccinated Conservative MPs may now be required to self-isolate as a result of being in close contact with him.

She would say only that “all MPs will abide by all public health guidelines.”

She provided a link to Ottawa public health rules, which specify that anyone who is not fully vaccinated and who is exposed to someone who tests positive “MUST self-isolate.”

“Do NOT return to daycare/ school/work in-person,” the guidelines read.

People who are fully vaccinated do not have to self-isolate and may go to work in person, wearing a mask and keeping physical distance from others, according to the guidelines.

Despite the fact that Lehoux and potentially other Conservative MPs will not be able to immediately participate in parliamentary proceedings, Sabatino said the party remains adamant that the Commons should fully resume normal operations — without the hybrid format.

While O’Toole personally supports vaccination, he has struggled to accommodate Conservative MPs who object in principle to vaccine mandates and having to disclose their personal health choices. Some of his MPs have also questioned the efficacy of vaccines.

O’Toole has repeatedly refused to specify how many of his MPs are unvaccinated