As political parties prepare to hit the campaign trail for what could be a mid-pandemic election, all of the major political leaders have received their second doses — except one.
In a video posted to his Twitter account on Sunday, People’s Party of Canada leader Maxime Bernier said he won’t get a COVID-19 vaccine. He argued that he’s healthy and relatively young and would face a low risk of death if he became infected.
“I’m 58 years old. I believe I’m in good shape,” Bernier said in the video.
A spokesperson for the PPC pointed to data on the government’s website indicating that 993 people aged 50 to 59 have died from the virus, out of 185,552 in the same age group who have contracted the virus.
The spokesperson suggested that these numbers suggest Bernier faces a low risk of dying from the virus.
Health officials have long maintained that Canadians should take the first vaccines available to them to protect themselves and others, pointing out that vaccines can prevent further spread and forestall severe side effects in those who do contract the virus.
The Public Health Agency of Canada released data Friday that show fully vaccinated Canadians have accounted for less than one per cent of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations since December.
Dawn Bowdish, an immunologist and the Canada Research Chair in aging and immunity at McMaster University, said getting vaccinated can help keep the virus from spreading to vulnerable groups.
Even though vaccines offer good protection against the virus, Bowdish said people with compromised immune systems face severe side effects if they’re infected. She also said getting vaccinated can help protect children under 12 who are not yet eligible for a vaccine.
“We have a collective responsibility to get vaccinated and protect them,” she said in an email.
Maxime Bernier was taken into custody by RCMP in Manitoba for violating public health measures in June. (Laïssa Pamou/SRC)
In the past, Bernier has flouted COVID-19 health restrictions by attending a number of rallies protesting public health measures. He was arrested by Manitoba RCMP in June for violating public health orders.
Representatives of the Liberals, Conservatives, NDP, Bloc Québécois and Green Party all confirmed their leaders have been fully vaccinated.
Top health officials warn of 4th wave
Bernier’s statement comes following a warning from Canada’s top health officials that the country could be seeing the beginning of a fourth wave driven by the more infectious delta variant.
On Friday, Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam said the seriousness of the pandemic’s resurgence will depend largely on vaccination coverage, especially as provinces move forward with reopening plans.
“I think we are in a slightly precarious period at the moment, in between these people trying to get the vaccines in and reopening,” Tam said.
“As soon as that balance is tipped, and it wouldn’t take very much with a highly transmissible virus, you’re going to see an uptick in cases.”
Of the entire population eligible to receive a vaccine, 81 per cent have received one dose and 66 per cent are fully vaccinated.
EDMONTON – RCMP say a second suspect has been arrested in the killing of an Alberta county worker.
Mounties say 28-year-old Elijah Strawberry was taken into custody Friday at a house on O’Chiese First Nation.
Colin Hough, a worker with Rocky View County, was shot and killed while on the job on a rural road east of Calgary on Aug. 6.
Another man who worked for Fortis Alberta was shot and wounded, and RCMP said the suspects fled in a Rocky View County work truck.
Police later arrested Arthur Wayne Penner, 35, and charged him with first-degree murder and attempted murder, and a warrant was issued for Strawberry’s arrest.
RCMP also said there was a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Strawberry, describing him as armed and dangerous.
Chief Supt. Roberta McKale, told a news conference in Edmonton that officers had received tips and information over the last few weeks.
“I don’t know of many members that when were stopped, fuelling up our vehicles, we weren’t keeping an eye out, looking for him,” she said.
But officers had been investigating other cases when they found Strawberry.
“Our investigators were in O’Chiese First Nation at a residence on another matter and the major crimes unit was there working another file and ended up locating him hiding in the residence,” McKale said.
While an investigation is still underway, RCMP say they’re confident both suspects in the case are in police custody.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
RICHMOND, B.C. – The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says the 26-year-old son of a man found dead on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast has been charged with his murder.
Police say 58-year-old Henry Doyle was found badly injured on a forest service road in Egmont last September and died of his injuries.
The homicide team took over when the BC Coroners Service said the man’s death was suspicious.
It says in a statement that the BC Prosecution Service has approved one count of first-degree murder against the man’s son, Jackson Doyle.
Police say the accused will remain in custody until at least his next court appearance.
The homicide team says investigators remained committed to solving the case with the help of the community of Egmont, the RCMP on the Sunshine Coast and in Richmond, and the Vancouver Police Department.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
VANCOUVER – Mediated talks between the union representing HandyDART workers in Metro Vancouver and its employer, Transdev, have broken off without an agreement following 15 hours of talks.
Joe McCann, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724, says they stayed at the bargaining table with help from a mediator until 2 a.m. Friday and made “some progress.”
However, he says the union negotiators didn’t get an offer that they could recommend to the membership.
McCann says that in some ways they are close to an agreement, but in other areas they are “miles apart.”
About 600 employees of the door-to-door transit service for people who can’t navigate the conventional transit system have been on strike since last week, pausing service for all but essential medical trips.
McCann asks HandyDART users to be “patient,” since they are trying to get not only a fair contract for workers but also a better service for customers.
He says it’s unclear when the talks will resume, but he hopes next week at the latest.
The employer, Transdev, didn’t reply to an interview request before publication.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
