Skip to main content

“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

Conservative Party Pressure Forces NDP to Finally Lift Outdated COVID Vaccine Mandates for Healthcare Workers

 


“What is different from yesterday, or a month ago, or several months ago? This is clearly political — every other jurisdiction in North America has already hired back workers. British Columbians should not have to wait for an election to have our healthcare workers hired back.” - John Rustad, Leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia


July 26, Vancouver, BC: John Rustad, Leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia, is slamming David Eby and the NDP for their prolonged delay in removing COVID-19 vaccine mandates for healthcare workers. This overdue decision comes after sustained pressure from the Conservative Party of British Columbia and highlights the NDP’s failure to act in the best interests of healthcare professionals and the public.

NDP’s Delayed Response: A Failure of Leadership

The NDP government’s reluctance to lift the vaccine mandates for healthcare workers left British Columbia as the only province in the country still enforcing these outdated restrictions. For months, healthcare professionals have been advocating for the removal of these mandates, pointing out the strain on staffing levels and the unnecessary pressure on an already overburdened system.

“The NDP’s delayed response to lift these mandates is a clear example of their failure to listen to the concerns of our healthcare workers,” said John Rustad. “David Eby and his government have shown a blatant disregard for the well-being of those on the front lines, only taking action when political pressure from our party made it unavoidable.”

Political Pressure and Election Timing

The timing of the NDP’s decision to finally lift the mandates is telling. It comes just as the election season is heating up, indicating that the move was driven more by political calculations than by genuine concern for healthcare workers and public health. The Conservative Party of British Columbia has been at the forefront, demanding an end to these mandates and advocating for the rights of healthcare workers.

“It’s clear that the NDP only acted because they felt the heat of the upcoming election and the relentless pressure from the Conservative Party,” Rustad continued. “They are now trying to take credit for a decision that should have been made months ago, a decision that would have alleviated much of the unnecessary stress and staffing shortages faced by our healthcare system.”

Staffing Shortages and ER Closures: A Healthcare Crisis

In 2024 alone, British Columbia witnessed the closure of 188 emergency rooms due to staffing shortages, with rural areas being hit the hardest. This is a direct consequence of the NDP’s failure to address the needs of healthcare workers and their delayed response in lifting vaccine mandates. The healthcare system is in crisis, and the NDP’s lack of timely action has exacerbated the situation.

“Our healthcare professionals are stretched to their limits, and rural communities are suffering the most,” Rustad said. “The NDP’s inaction has led to unprecedented ER closures and a healthcare system that is failing its patients.”

Conservative Party’s Commitment to Healthcare Workers

The Conservative Party of British Columbia has consistently advocated for policies that respect the rights of individuals and support the healthcare system’s needs. Rustad reiterated his commitment to working with healthcare professionals to ensure that policies are based on science, respect individual freedoms, and prioritize the effective functioning of the healthcare system.

Patients First Healthcare Reform

John Rustad emphasized that the Conservative Party’s “Patients First” healthcare reform announcement is central to addressing these issues. The plan focuses on putting patients at the heart of healthcare decisions, ensuring timely access to services, and supporting healthcare professionals with the resources they need.

“The Conservative Party is committed to a ‘Patients First’ approach, prioritizing the needs of those who rely on our healthcare system and those who work within it,” said Rustad. “British Columbians deserve better, and our plan will deliver the reliable, effective healthcare they need.”

Holding the NDP Accountable

“What is different from yesterday, or a month ago, or several months ago? This is clearly political,” Rustad emphasized. “Every other jurisdiction in North America has already hired back workers. British Columbians should not have to wait for an election to have our healthcare workers hired back.”

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

FORSETH -- Focus on the nine things I mentioned. That’s what will allow the Conservative Party to win the next election

IMAGE CREDIT:   Darryl Dyck, the Canadian Press. I thought I had already made up my mind who I would be ranking on my ballot, in the Conservative Party of BC leadership race; now I am not so sure.  That means that, at least for me, and perhaps many others, it’s a good thing voting hasn’t already taken place. There were initially only one or two of the candidates that I thought might be a little too right of centre for my liking, now it seems that list is growing. I consider myself more closely aligned with what used to be called a Progressive Conservative, regardless, I feel more than comfortable within the Conservative Party of BC.  Some, however, in messages to me on my political Facebook page, have been rather, shall we say, a bit mean-spirited in comments they’ve made about my ‘purity’ as a conservative. To tell you the truth, I really don’t care! Some leadership candidates, in comments made online, have also been raising the issue of who is a pure enough conservati...
Post a Comment
Read more

WARD STAMER -- Those are REAL forestry numbers, not just made-up numbers

The following is a condensed version of remarks Kamloops – North Thompson MLA Ward Stamer’s made, regarding Forestry, in the BC Legislature, on Tuesday afternoon (02/24/2026)   Let’s talk a little bit, when we talk about Budget 2026, about the forest industry, which is near and dear to my heart. Forestry remains one of British Columbia’s foundational industries. It’s a pillar that built this province. Entire communities depend upon it. Interior towns, northern communities, Vancouver Island regions, the Kootenays, the Lower Mainland, with manufacturing facilities in Surrey and Maple Ridge, just to name a few — everywhere in BC is touched by forestry. One word that was not mentioned in Budget 2026 was forestry. That’s a shame, an incredible shame. It wasn’t an oversight – it was intentional. This government has driven forestry into the ground .... INTO THE GROUND! We can talk a little bit about some of the initiatives that this government has brought forth, to try to resurrect ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Your government has a gambling problem (Troy Media)

Provinces call it “revenue,” but it looks a lot like exploitation of the marginalized The odds of winning Lotto Max are about 1 in 33 million. You’re statistically more likely to be struck by lightning than to win it. But your government is betting that statistics won’t hold you back; they’re counting on it. Across Canada, provincial governments not only regulate gambling, they also maintain a monopoly on lottery and gaming by owning and operating the entire legal market. That means every scratch card is government-issued, gambling odds are government-set, casino ads are government-funded and lottery billboards are government-paid. And these are not incidental government activities. They generate significant revenues that governments have powerful incentives to expand, not constrain. It would be one thing for our governments to encourage us to engage in healthy activities. We can quibble about whether the government should be trying to convince us to be more active or eat more vegetabl...
Post a Comment
Read more

Labels

Show more