MPs who refuse to get vaccinated are set to be treated like Communist spies and expelled from the Commons.
Blacklock’s Reporter says the last MP refused entry to the House was Soviet spy Fred Rose (Cartier, Que.), expelled in 1947.
Only two others since Confederation were denied their right to sit in the Commons, none for medical reasons.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday said the 44th Parliament will open with a Throne Speech on November 22, and that he expected all MPs to be fully vaccinated.
But the Prime Minister’s Office has no authority to compel vaccination of MPs under House Procedure And Practice rules.
“Among the first orders of business will be working with all parties to ensure all MPs in the House of Commons are fully vaccinated against COVID-19,” Trudeau’s office wrote in a statement.
“Canadians expect their elected representatives to lead by example in the fight against the virus, and the prime minister will be raising this with other leaders.”
However, house rules forbid any action that “obstructs or impedes any Member or officer of the House in the discharge of their duties.”
Unvaccinated MPs could only be forbidden from entering the House by a majority vote.
Only three MPs have been denied their seat since Confederation.
Louis Riel was expelled in 1875 following his conviction for treason.
MP Thomas McGreevy was expelled in 1891 for soliciting $200,000 in kickbacks from federal contractors in Québec City and was subsequently convicted of conspiracy.
Rose, a Communist agent, was denied his seat in 1947 after being sentenced to six years’ imprisonment for violating the Official Secrets Act.
Dr. Howard Njoo, deputy chief public health officer, told reporters Friday the Public Health Agency was not consulted by the Prime Minister’s Office on whether all MPs must be vaccinated.
Dr. Theresa Tam, chief public health officer, said even fully vaccinated people should continue to wear masks, observe physical distancing and resort to frequent handwashing.
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