B.C. premier praises opposition MLAs for vaccine advocacy in face of anti-vaccine constituents
B.C. Premier John Horgan is praising two opposition MLAs for their leadership in support of vaccines.
In a news conference Thursday, Horgan complimented BC Liberal Party MLAs Mike Bernier of Peace River South and Dan Davies of Peace River North who’ve advocated for COVID-19 vaccinations in the face of anti-vaccine advocates.
“(They) have taken courageous and an appropriate stance on these issues in the interest of protecting their communities,” he said.
B.C.’s Northern Health region has the highest rate of COVID-19 infections per capita. On Wednesday, it added 43.3 new cases per 100,000 residents, while Interior Health added just 20.
Horgan noted that it’s “largely” been in opposition ridings where MLAs have had to come out in support of vaccinations, contrary to the wishes of many of their constituents.
“I don't mean this in a partisan way … Largely in opposition ridings, (MLAs) have all done extraordinary work against the wishes of some of their constituents and supporters and I commend them for that leadership,” Horgan said.
“Every single one of them is going out of their way to protect people and that’s as it should be.”
Among his advocacy, Bernier has taken to Facebook to encourage his constituents to get vaccinated, citing the high case rates and hospitalizations in his district. In a Sept. 22 post he wrote, “I have been very public trying to encourage people to get vaccinated so if you haven’t and If you want to get vaccinated there are still opportunities to do so.”
Horgan’s commendations came as he faced scrutiny for leaving all 60 of the province’s school districts to decide on their own whether to make vaccines mandatory for teachers.
Horgan defended himself Thursday, claiming it would be an administrative overreach to tell all 60 district school boards, which are themselves the employers of school teachers, to make vaccinations mandatory.
“The districts are the employers,” he said. “We are the funder, to be sure, but there is a dual relationship here between (school board) trustees and the government.”
Horgan said he feels confident that districts will vote in favour of mandatory vaccination for teachers, especially since the BC Teachers’ Federation and CUPE – which represents school staff – are in favour of the move.
“I'm confident that school districts will be agreeable to that, Dr. (Bonnie) Henry and her team stand ready to work with everybody to get to the place we want to get to increasing the number of vaccines (and) protecting children.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.