O’Toole faces caucus to discuss next steps on mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations

Erin O'Toole has refused to disclose how many of his 118 members are fully vaccinated while also opposing any return to a hybrid Parliament.

Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole faces his caucus today to discuss what to do about its position around mandatory vaccinations, and what that means for unvaccinated members.

The issue is top of mind as an all-party committee decided last week that members of Parliament will need to be double vaccinated against COVID-19 or have a medical exemption to take their seat in the House of Commons.

That puts O’Toole in a challenging spot as he refuses to disclose how many of his 118 members are fully vaccinated while he also opposes any return to a hybrid Parliament.

His own caucus members feel differently about the issue, and what Conservatives should do next.

Alberta MP Ron Liepert says he has no problem telling people he’s double vaccinated and believes the issue has become a distraction.

“We don’t have the luxury of sitting here as an opposition party arguing about whether you should be vaccinated or not,” he said before entering Wednesday’s meeting.

“We should be doing what constituents ended up sending us here to do, and that’s to hold this Liberal government to account.”

British Columbia MP Mark Strahl says Conservatives must be clear like they were during the election campaign when they opposed vaccine mandates and said those who are unvaccinated should have the option to take rapid tests.