Senate announces COVID-19 vaccine mandate for senators, joining House of Commons
Global News
Senate Speaker George Furey announced the new policy Thursday following consultations with the leaders of the various groups in the upper house.
Senators will have to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 if they want to participate in person in Senate proceedings.
Senate Speaker George Furey announced the new policy Thursday following consultations with the leaders of the various groups in the upper house.
But although Conservative Senate leader Don Plett was among those consulted on the policy, his office refused to say how many of his 18-member caucus have been immunized.
“Sen. Plett took part in the discussion and the agreement amongst Senate leaders. We have no further comments,” said his spokeswoman, Karine Leroux.
Conservatives in the House of Commons have objected to a similar policy adopted last week for elected members of Parliament. Leader Erin O’Toole has refused to disclose the vaccination status of his 118 MPs.
A spokesman for Furey said the Senate’s mandatory vaccination rule will apply to senators attending proceedings in the Senate chamber itself and also to Senate committee meetings — with an option for those with a valid medical exemption to show proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test.
The Senate’s internal economy committee is to meet soon to determine whether immunization will also be mandatory for staffers in senators’ offices and other employees of the upper house.
Last week, the governing body of the House of Commons decided that anyone wishing to enter the Commons precinct will have to be double vaccinated.
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