Conservative MP Katai Wogantal was removed from parliament on Friday for violating COVID-19 vaccination requirements.
Wagantall, an MP who has represented Saskatchewan riding Yorkton-Melville since 2015, sat in the House this week, although he did not provide evidence of vaccination.
The Committee on Internal Economy, which sets the administrative rules for parliament, has ruled that all people in the House of Commons area must provide proof that they have been fully vaccinated.
WATCH A Conservative MP has been expelled from parliament over a vaccine rule
A Conservative MP has been expelled from parliament over a vaccine rule
Conservative MP Katai Vagantal, who has not disclosed her vaccination status against COVID-19, says she has left the House of Commons voluntarily and will continue to perform her duties from home.
Wagantal told reporters at a news conference on Friday that when she entered Parliament’s Western Bloc earlier in the day, she expected some form of action to remove her from the House of Commons area.
Wagantall said that after she entered the building, the weapons sergeant asked to speak to her in his office. She did not provide details of the conversation, but said that while heading to the House of Commons, Conservative leader John Brasard warned her that action could be taken to remove her if she left the House of Commons.
“So my goal was not to leave unless I was essentially forced to,” she said.
Wagantall said that when she left the building to attend a meeting of the Veterans Committee on Veterans Affairs at 1 p.m., the sergeant accompanied her from Parliament Hill to her car. Eventually, she attended the meeting virtually.
Wagantall – who also cannot board a plane or train due to vaccination rules – said she has traveled to Ottawa since her trip to Saskatchewan. She said she had not been in Parliament’s office since November last year.
She did not reveal whether she had been vaccinated against COVID-19.
“It’s funny. Ontario is open. My province has been open for a long time,” Wagantal said.
She did not provide much detail when asked what her future plans are for the Chamber of Municipalities. She said she and her party would continue to fight to end the vaccination requirement.
“I am ready to do everything necessary to continue to do my job in the best way, in the light of the circumstances, and yes, we will see from there what will happen,” Wagantal said.
The leader of the opposition chamber is calling for an end to the vaccine requirement
In a statement to the media, Conservative House leader John Brasard said Vagantal “has every right to be in the House of Commons.”
He also criticized the prime minister’s approach to COVID-19 vaccine mandates beyond Parliament.
“Make no mistake, the restrictions in the House of Commons are on the instructions of the Prime Minister,” Brasard said. “He can end these tomorrow if he wants to. It can also put an end to the restrictions it has imposed on millions of Canadians who are still unable to travel or have lost their jobs.
Wagantall mentioned several times that she chaired the Ottawa National Prayer Breakfast earlier in the week and was close to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the event.
Brasard called the event a contradiction.
“[Trudeau] It was no problem to sit next to MP Wagantall at last week’s prayer breakfast, but he will not be sitting across from her in the House, “he said.” The hypocrisy is amazing. “
Katai Wogantal, left, sits next to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the National Prayer Breakfast on Tuesday, May 31, in Ottawa. (National Prayer Breakfast of Canada / Facebook)
In a statement on the incident, a spokesman for the chairman of the House of Commons pointed to the decision of the Board of Internal Economy.
“In order to be admitted to the area of the House of Commons, individuals must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This requirement applies to any person wishing to join the section of the House of Commons, including members and their staff, “the statement said.
He also mentioned that there are medical exceptions for a limited number of cases.
“Reasons for medical exemptions from this requirement should follow the guidelines of the Ontario Department of Health document entitled ‘Medical Exceptions for COVID-19 Vaccination’ and the National Immunization Advisory Committee,” the statement said.
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