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Northern B.C. MLA calls for end to health-care vaccine mandate

Conservative Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad called on the B.C. government to rehire unvaccinated health-care workers.
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Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad called on the B.C. government to rehire health-care workers not vaccinated against COVID-19.

Conservative Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad called on the B.C. government to rehire health-care workers who are not vaccinated against COVID-19.

Rustad, who was kicked out of the B.C. Liberals caucus in August 2022 for his views on climate change, made the statements in Victoria during question period on Thursday.

"Even (Prime Minister Justin) Trudeau's Health Minister (Jean-Yves Duclos) admits the immunity of individuals who were twice vaccinated in 2021 has now waned,” Rustad said. “There is no scientific reason why health-care workers who have chosen not to receive shots should continue to be barred from working side by side with their colleagues who were twice vaccinated in 2021. This policy makes zero sense.”

Rustad called the policy a “double standard” and said it was being maintained for political, rather than scientific, reasons.

Rustad became the B.C. Conservatives' only sitting MLA, after joining the party in February. Earlier this month he announced his plans to seek the leadership of the party.