OTTAWA -- A group of Conservative MPs and Senators are organizing an intra-party 鈥渃ivil liberties caucus鈥� with the aim of speaking up for the rights of Canadians losing their jobs because they are unvaccinated against COVID-19, 麻豆传媒 has confirmed.
Long-time Conservative MP, and former party leadership contender Marilyn Gladu says there is discussion among 15 to 30 representatives to form the group, as first reported by The Hill Times.
Gladu said that the move is not a direct challenge to Conservative Leader Erin O鈥橳oole鈥檚 leadership, but its instead for fighting for constituents who are now, or may be out of work for refusing to comply with mandatory vaccination rules.
O鈥橳oole faced criticism throughout the election campaign for not imposing a mandatory vaccine policy among his candidates, and continues to refuse to say how many of his 118 MPs are unvaccinated.
While O鈥橳oole is fully vaccinated and has encouraged Canadians to get roll up their sleeves, he has suggested rapid testing should be offered as an alternative.
The Board of Internal Economy has announced a vaccine mandate for the House of Commons, requiring MPs to be vaccinated to enter the Chamber in-person as of Nov. 22. It鈥檚 a decision that members of the Conservative caucus have questioned, amid widespread support within the other parties.
O鈥橳oole announced last week that the party would 鈥�respect and abide by鈥� the decision but would be challenging it at the 鈥渆arliest opportunity.鈥�
After last week鈥檚 caucus meeting, O鈥橳oole told reporters that his caucus agreed that when the new session begins, only fully-vaccinated Conservatives or those with valid medical exemptions who have been recently rapid-tested will be taking part in the House proceedings in-person next month.
Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney told 麻豆传媒 Question Period on Sunday that O鈥橳oole should go farther and show any unvaccinated MPs the door, removing them from his caucus.
鈥淭hat's leadership,鈥� he said.
鈥淲ho am I to argue with tens of thousands of brilliant scientists and doctors who urge the population desperately to get vaccinated?鈥� said Mulroney.
鈥淟ook, you're not the leader to follow, you are the leader to lead, and if you think this is in the national interest, Canada's interest, you get your members of Parliament in line, and they have to support what you're doing.鈥�
麻豆传媒 reached out to O鈥橳oole for comment about the formation of the new inter-party caucus, but didn鈥檛 receive a comment at the time of publication
With files from 麻豆传媒鈥� Rachel Aiello.
