Tuesday, March 31, 2026
ADVT 
National

O'Toole says unvaccinated must be accommodated

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 06 Jan, 2022 01:09 PM
  • O'Toole says unvaccinated must be accommodated

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole says those unwilling to be vaccinated against COVID-19 should be accommodated through measures like rapid testing, as health experts warn the lightning-fast spread of the Omicron variant threatens to overwhelm hospitals.

Ontario is reporting an uptick in hospitalizations and days ago made the decision to keep school-aged kids learning from home for at least two weeks, which Doug Ford's government said was to take pressure off the health-care system.

Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliot says of the 319 patients in intensive care, 232 of them are not fully immunized against COVID-19 or have an unknown status, while 87 are double-vaccinated.

O'Toole came out as opposed to vaccine mandates during last year's election campaign and today accused Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of fuelling vaccine hesitancy by attacking those who haven't received their shot.

Trudeau on Wednesday said Canadians are angry at those who refuse to be vaccinated because they are filling up hospital beds, causing cancer treatments and elective surgeries to be put off.

The Conservative leader says he refuses to criticize people who aren't vaccinated and believes "reasonable accommodations" should be provided to those who work in the trucking industry in order to avoid service disruptions.

MORE National ARTICLES

Vancouver gallery gifted $100 million for new home

Vancouver gallery gifted $100 million for new home
The Vancouver Art Gallery at the Chan Centre for the Visual Arts will be a multifunctional art centre and community space, promising to provide increased space to support artists and the region's cultural sector in British Columbia.

Vancouver gallery gifted $100 million for new home

VPD arrests suspect after windows smashed in West End

VPD arrests suspect after windows smashed in West End
The officers were familiar with the man because he’s a suspect in dozens of other mischiefs in the downtown core. In fact, he was arrested earlier that same day after allegedly breaking a window at a business near Robson and Bute Street.    

VPD arrests suspect after windows smashed in West End

COVID-19 cases rising for B.C. kids aged 5 to 11

COVID-19 cases rising for B.C. kids aged 5 to 11
The province says 550 cases were diagnosed this week in that age group from 14,295 total cases in the province between Oct. 26 and Nov. 1. Fifty-six of those children went to hospital, and four of them received critical care.

COVID-19 cases rising for B.C. kids aged 5 to 11

VPD investigates South Van home invasion that results in senior assaulted in broad daylight

VPD investigates South Van home invasion that results in senior assaulted in broad daylight
At 4:30 p.m. on October 29, VPD officers were called to a home near East 35th Avenue and Victoria Drive after an unknown man entered the home through the unlocked front door. The 89-year-old home owner was assaulted when he confronted the suspect. The suspect fled before officers arrived.

VPD investigates South Van home invasion that results in senior assaulted in broad daylight

Tories call for Afghan safe house funding

Tories call for Afghan safe house funding
The Conservative opposition is calling on Liberal government to give urgent funding to Kabul safe houses that are providing refuge to 1,700 Afghan interpreters and their families. On Friday, those safe houses are set to close because the money keeping them open will run out.    

Tories call for Afghan safe house funding

Canada joins pledge to end public financing of oil

Canada joins pledge to end public financing of oil
"Canada can lead in the low-carbon world if we keep putting our investments, innovations and brain power behind ambitious climate action," Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault said in a news release.

Canada joins pledge to end public financing of oil