Wednesday, February 11, 2026
ADVT 
National

O'Toole staffer tests positive for COVID-19

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 16 Sep, 2020 05:59 PM
  • O'Toole staffer tests positive for COVID-19

Federal Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole says he, his family and some party workers are in self-isolation after an aide tested positive for COVID-19.

A statement from the party says the O'Tooles are getting tested, informing the Opposition leader's recent contacts and keeping his son home.

"My family and I are feeling well, but we take COVID-19 very seriously," O'Toole said in the statement.

"Today was going to be Jack’s first day back at school, but instead we will be getting tested and self-isolating per public health guidelines. The health and safety of my family and all Canadians is my top priority."

O'Toole was to appear at a party event in Alberta Wednesday evening, part of a mini-tour of the Conservative heartland in the West.

And he was just in Quebec, where he met Premier Francois Legault on Monday.

The Conservatives say the staffer who has the respiratory illness was travelling with him.

The federal parties are still sorting out how the House of Commons will function when it resumes next Wednesday. The Liberals favour a hybrid model, with some MPs in the chamber and others participating via videoconference with a mechanism for voting online.

The Conservatives have been arguing for MPs to participate in person only, with limits on the number of members in the chamber at a time and staggered voting when it's needed.

Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet is also in self-isolation, awaiting the results of his own COVID-19 test after both his spouse and an aide tested positive for the illness.

Blanchet's aide's positive test, a few days after the Bloc caucus met in person in St-Hyacinthe, Que., prompted dozens of MPs and party workers to isolate themselves.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau tested positive for COVID-19 early in the pandemic but recovered.

MORE National ARTICLES

Parts of N.S. cabinet docs must be disclosed: SCOC

Parts of N.S. cabinet docs must be disclosed: SCOC
The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled the vast majority of confidential cabinet documents in two provinces should remain secret, in cases dealing with how judges are paid.

Parts of N.S. cabinet docs must be disclosed: SCOC

Inmate files human rights complaint over mental health

Inmate files human rights complaint over mental health
The death of her brother weighs on Prairie Crowe's mind. Nicholas Dinardo is alive, but behind bars.

Inmate files human rights complaint over mental health

Commissioner drops out of mass shooting inquiry

Commissioner drops out of mass shooting inquiry
One of the three people selected to lead the public inquiry into the Nova Scotia mass shooting has dropped out.

Commissioner drops out of mass shooting inquiry

COVID-19 alert app now available in Canada

COVID-19 alert app now available in Canada
Canadians can now begin downloading a voluntary smartphone app meant to warn users they've been near someone who tests positive for COVID-19.

COVID-19 alert app now available in Canada

Yukon records double OD deaths versus last year

Yukon records double OD deaths versus last year
The Yukon government is considering plans for a supervised injection site and a safer supply of drugs for substance users after 13 people fatally overdosed between January and mid-July, compared with six for all of last year.

Yukon records double OD deaths versus last year

Witnesses support U.S. claims on Meng: documents

Witnesses support U.S. claims on Meng: documents
Documents from lawyers for Canada's attorney general say a series of witnesses will prove Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou lied to HSBC bank about the company's relationship's with Skycom in Iran.

Witnesses support U.S. claims on Meng: documents