The British Columbia New Democratic Party (NDP) has shared on social media an old video in which provincial Conservative Party leader John Rustad suggests his controversial positions on COVID-19 vaccines.
The video (New window)posted on X by the NDP, was originally posted by BC Public Service Employees for Freedom (BCPS), a group of public sector employees concerned about COVID-19 guidelines and vaccination requirements, to which John Rustad was speaking.
In the excerpt, dated this summer, the Conservative leader notably states that he regrets having received three doses of what he calls the so-called COVID-19 vaccine.
John Rustad also said he believes vaccine requirements have served to control the population.
I realized, while talking to Dr. Bonnie Henry, [la médecin hygiéniste en chef]that the vaccination plan was not to guarantee herd immunity or prevent the spread of the virus, but rather to control opinion and the population, he said.
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In July 2024, British Columbia announced that remaining pandemic restrictions, including the COVID-19 vaccine requirement for health care workers in the province’s care settings, were now being lifted.
Photo : Associated Press / Christophe Gateau
Following the NDP’s release of the clip, the Conservative leader dodged questions about it during his media appearance on Monday.
Still, he said the inability of unvaccinated doctors and nurses to get their jobs back in B.C. was a terrible problem.
NDP Leader David Eby believes voters should fear this type of position from the Conservative leader, known for his shock statements.
In 2022, John Rustad was notably expelled from the BC Liberal Party caucus after questioning the science associated with climate change.
According to NDP leader and outgoing Premier David Eby, the chief medical officer of health was trying to preserve the health of the population during the pandemic, rather than trying to control it.
