The 44th general federal election is well underway with only days left until the Sept. 20 vote. There are four candidates running in the St. Albert-Edmonton riding: Conservative incumbent Michael Cooper, People's Party of Canada Candidates Brigitte Cecelia, Liberal candidate Greg Springate, and New Democratic Party candidate Kathleen Mpulubusi. Each candidate was given a series of questions and up to 100 words to answer each one.
What is your position on mandatory COVID vaccination within Canada during a pandemic?
Liberal candidate Greg Springate:
We all want to live in a community where everyone is safe, healthy, and can live an inspired life. The best protection against COVID-19 is vaccination. I am fully vaccinated, and with my colleagues, I support public-health policy that encourages vaccination. A Liberal government will continue to act to protect travelers and ensure vaccination across the federal public service. We will set up a $1-billion fund to support provinces who put in place proof of vaccine programs, in due consideration of legal issues and in full compliance with privacy legislation.
People's Party of Canada candidate Brigitte Cecelia:
My body; my choice. Informed consent. The Canadian federal government has coerced Canadians with ideologically-motivated situations and continues to spend millions in virtue signaling in their apologies.
New Democratic Party candidate Kathleen Mpulubusi:
We have to be clear the health and safety of Canadians must come first. To get as many people vaccinated as possible, we need to back up the commitment with actions. We will work with public-sector unions to provide education, remove barriers, and give workers ample opportunity to get vaccinated. We are advocating for a national standard vaccine “passport.” The plan includes a mandatory vaccination deadline for federal public workers in federally regulated industries, paid leave for workers in federally-regulated workplaces to get vaccinated, and federal support to bolster provinces’ efforts to get vaccines to people.
Conservative incumbent Michael Cooper:
Conservatives believe that the best way to protect oneself from COVID is to get vaccinated. However, this is an individual health decision, one that I have personally made to get vaccinated.
