O'Toole says caucus will both respect and challenge House vaccine policy

Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole says that his caucus has agreed to 'respect and abide by' the new rules set mandating vaccination for MPs, but at the 'earliest opportunity,' his party will be challenging it in the House of Commons.

“A question of privilege will be raised in the House of Commons to challenge the improper conduct and precedent set,” O’Toole said. “Only the House of Commons itself can determine its composition and its conduct.

“Both before the Speaker or House rules, and after they rule, the entire Conservative caucus will respect and abide by all the rules and all health guidance,” O’Toole said.

The rules, set by a long-standing cross-party committee of MPs called the Board of Internal Economy, will apply to anyone that wants to enter buildings within the House of Commons precinct, including the Chamber.

With the Liberals, New Democrats, and Bloc Quebecois all supportive of the vaccinate mandate, it remains to be seen how far the coming Conservative challenge to the Speaker will get.