MPP for Chatham-Kent-Leamington Rick Nicholls held a press conference this afternoon to address the PC Caucus’ Covid-19 vaccination mandate and the reports that he was one of 2 members of the Caucus that had not been vaccinated yet for the virus. MPP Nicholls is also Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons.
He says that he made the personal decision to not be vaccinated as he views it as a choice and it’s his constitutional right to make that choice.
He also says he takes the news that vaccinated people transmit the vaccine as easily as unvaccinated people along with the news, he says, the results diminish with the vaccine over 4 to 6 months.
He says of the expulsion that it means he loses his position as Deputy Speaker and his office.
He spoke to the toll the pandemic has taken on his family and members of his community.
He says he, nor any member of Ontario, should be forced to do something against their will.
He says he will continue to serve the people of Chatham-Kent-Leamington.