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Letters: Tory leader was wrong

A Richmond News reader takes issue with some decisions made by Conservative Party leader Erin O'Toole
Erin O'Toole
Conservative Party leader Erin O'Toole

Open letter to Erin O’Toole,

I was shocked to see you on the evening news last night declaring that you would ask the Speaker of the House to overrule the vaccination requirement to enter the House of Commons and further baffled to hear you oppose hybrid sessions.

I feel this is an irresponsible position and it seems to me that you are pandering to a very loud vocal minority.

In round figures, at the time of this writing, 83 per cent of Canadians 12 and older are fully vaccinated and survey results I’ve seen indicate between 75 and 85 per cent of Canadians support restrictions for the unvaccinated. 

Scientific data suggests  vaccination can prevent bad outcomes from COVID-19 but, more importantly, vaccinated individuals are far less likely to transmit the virus, so I just don’t understand the logic of your position. Certainly, everyone has the right to choose what goes into their body but those choices do and should have consequences.

Likewise, I, too, have rights, including the right to be protected from irresponsible individuals who are too selfish to protect me and other people.

Vaccines have rendered us virtually free from smallpox, polio and many other diseases and have long been a prerequisite for some travel and for sending your children to school. Why should COVID-19 vaccines be treated differently?

I am not a fan of Mr. Trudeau’s ethics nor his Liberal party but I do believe he got it right with vaccination restrictions.

In the recent federal election I, for the first time in my 66 years, voted NDP. 

Your Steveston-Richmond East candidate, Kenny Chiu, lost my vote solely over this issue and I’m sure I’m not alone.

I believe this attitude will result in a net loss of support for your party and if you’ll pardon the expression, I think you are politically “shooting yourself in the foot.”

Keith Paterson

RICHMOND