Conservative Party leader Erin O’Toole said he believes all people in uniform should be vaccinated against COVID-19, after the Federal Court rejected requests by some military members to exemption from the mandatory vaccination order.
O’Toole, a veteran, sent a direct message to those serving in the Canadian Armed Forces who were hesitant to receive the stabbing.
“My message to the military, military families right now is very simple. Thank you for your service. Vaccines are safe and effective. Ask the military doctors… and make sure you’re part of our fight against COVID-19. I think everyone in uniform should be vaccinated,” he said, answering questions from reporters on Thursday.
His comments came after a Federal Court denied a request by four members of the Armed Forces for a “temporary restraining order” on vaccination duty issued by the Chief of Defense Staff, General Wayne Eyre in the fall.
Members must be vaccinated by the end of November – the deadline is extended until December 18 – or face remedial measures, including possible dismissal from the military.
The order follows a similar requirement for all federal employees as the Liberal government seeks to set an example for all Canadians about immunization. Eyre also said his order was aimed at protecting the military during the pandemic.
Justice Janet Fuhrer ruled that “none of the applicants met the test for a temporary order or an interagency order.”
The document goes on to say that the applicants also failed to demonstrate that their interest outweighed the public interest in “ensure, to the extent possible, the readiness, health and safety of the Force, Defense teams and the vulnerable groups they may be called to serve, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. ”
The four members and their legal counsel argued that the assignment violated their religious beliefs and human rights, with regard to disability, privacy and medical treatment.
They noted that no member renounced their constitutional rights as soon as they put on their uniform.
The federal government recently approved Quebec’s request for military assistance to support the province’s vaccination campaign. The rollout to areas of need began on Monday.
O’Toole announced on Thursday that while he believes a vaccine is the most important tool to get out of the pandemic, steps are needed to address hesitancy.
“How do we answer their questions? Let’s drop that hesitation and in some cases have the right measures in place to make sure people don’t slip up because they’re not vaccinated,” he said.
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