Motz opting not to state vaxx status

By COLLIN GALLANT on October 23, 2021.

cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant

Member of Parliament Glen Motz says he is taking a principled stance to not categorically state his vaccination status but will travel by air to Ottawa and attend the House of Commons in person.

That suggests he is fully immunized against the coronavirus, such as is required for airplane travel and to enter the House of Commons precinct, it was announced this week.

“I never release personal medical information,” Motz told reporters on Friday, the same day an op-ed piece appeared in the News, generally calling for those who choose to be vaccinated to do so, as well as call for unity.

“I intend to be in parliament, and I’ll be there following the rules, so people can come to their conclusions.”

Motz said the personal nature of health decisions is paramount, and reasonable accommodation should be made for those who decide not to get vaccinated.

“It’s become a divisive issue, and it shouldn’t be,” he said, stating a testing option should be available for parliamentarians who object to vaccinations or who cannot receive them for medial reasons.

“Members of Parliament are required to be in parliament to do there jobs.”

At the same time, the MP for Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner says vaccination is the safest, most economical way to cut down the spread and most harmful reactions of the respiratory disease.

This week Cypress Hills-Grasslands MP Jeremy Patzer penned a similar letter in the News’ sister publication, the Prairie Post, which covers southwest Saskatchewan. The letter immediately led to response from local doctors and an online furor on opposite sides of the issue.

Motz was in Ottawa this week to be sworn in after the Sept. 20 general election. He will return once in early November for Conservative Party Caucus work ahead of the Nov. 22 resumption of Parliament.

He said the Conservatives have a long list of issues they see as priorities in the new session.

“We need to turn the corner on this pandemic,” he said, citing jobs recovery, inflation, and the continued need to support some sectors of the economy, such as tourism and accommodation.

Motz also outlined his concern regarding crime and action in foreign relations after Canada was left out of new security alliance building between NATO partners and Australia and New Zealand this fall.

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