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QUEEN'S PARK — Official Opposition NDP Leader Andrea Horwath released a video statement on mandatory vaccinations for health and education workers.
TRANSCRIPT OF REMARKS
Hello Ontario.
I’ve always been a strong advocate for doing everything we can to ensure every Ontarian is vaccinated. This is especially critical in health care and education.
I fully support mandatory vaccination in health care and education, based on science and public health priorities. I should have made that position clearer, much earlier, in support of the health and safety of the most vulnerable among us: seniors, people with disabilities, people who are sick, and children who can’t yet get their vaccines.
I also believe we need to reach out to people, find out what their barrier is, and address it. Whether that’s paid time off for a gig worker, or taking the vaccine directly to the home of a single parent with two jobs and two kids. Doug Ford has failed to do that work.
On Wednesday I made a mistake suggesting a mandatory vaccine policy during a global pandemic should take a back seat to charter rights. I regret the comment. I was wrong. My fight and my focus must be on keeping people healthy and safe. This unprecedented time requires unprecedented actions.
It’s time to make sure every education and health care worker gets the protection of a vaccine. Now, let’s work together to convince Doug Ford.”
ANDREA HORWATH, LEADER OF THE OFFICIAL OPPOSITION NEW DEMOCRATS
AUG. 5, 2021
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