Proof of vaccination; COSN Votes 2021

*Over the course of the next week leading into the Federal Election, Q101 will be showcasing the five local candidates’ thoughts and positions on proof of vaccination, support for health care and aging in place, the affordable housing crisis, and climate change.

Today (Monday, September 13, 2021), the Province of BC will begin requiring proof of vaccination for individuals to access non-essential services like sporting events, concerts, restaurants, movie theatres, and more.

As of today, British Columbians need proof of one dose of the vaccine and by October 24th, two doses will be required.

(Those looking to complete their vaccine card – https://www2.gov.bc.ca/vaccinecard.html)

While the implementation of a vaccine card program is a provincial decision, the five candidates in Central Okanagan Similkameen Nicola (COSN) were asked for their stance on the controversial issue.

*Candidates are listed in alphabetical order

Dan Albas (Conservative) Incumbent

We all need to do our part, I’m double vaccinated, I encourage others in our region to get vaccinated, that’s how we do this. But we don’t do it as Justin Trudeau does, by taking a my way or the highway approach and questioning citizens’ patriotism or questioning their intelligence. That is no way to run a country.

Sarah Eves (Liberal)

I myself am fully vaccinated. With the vaccination cards that is a provincial decision, however, we do support everybody getting vaccinated because we know it’s the best way to keep businesses open and keep people who can’t be vaccinated safely. I know in BC they’re doing the card and as a result, more people are going and getting their first dose, which is really what we need because we need more people fully vaccinated.

Kathryn McDonald (People’s Party)

It’s pretty scary, people are upset, and people’s jobs are in jeopardy. People are being forced to get the vaccine or lose their job, and I don’t think that’s right. People have their own personal reasons for not participating in that.

We are definitely against the vax pass.

Joan Phillip (NDP)

I think it’s a bit of a no brainier. When I want my roof done I get a roofer to do it, and when I want some medical advice I go to the medical community. I just really want to thank the medical community for the awesome job that they’re doing. My husband particularly is immune suppressed and if he caught COVID without a vaccine he would die. He’s been isolated himself but I don’t think that’s fair either. I think people should feel secure walking into a public place that the people around them are vaccinated.

Brennan Wauters (Green)

I don’t see it as a major constriction of freedoms right now and my hope is that all of this is going to be temporary. I think the government probably sees it in that way, but they’re in a very difficult decision because they’ve had to change decisions.

It’s kind of a necessary evil right now, and what I want to emphasize to people is that the hope is that this is all temporary anyway. We drive around with a driver’s license, if we want to travel internationally we have to get some kind of vaccine passport.

Despite people being skeptical of it, I do think we should engage in some passport for the moment so we can get a handle on how this virus works, what the implications will be down the road because I don’t think all the data is in yet.