Councillor wants advice on whether vaccine mandates represent 'oppression' of unvaccinated
Suggesting vaccination mandates could be perceived as oppression against the unvaccinated, Councillor Michael Van Holst wants his council colleagues to refer the issue to the Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti- Oppression Advisory Committee (DIAAC) at city hall.
"I think it would be worth having DIAAC consider those (mandates) and under what circumstances that would be a reasonable thing to do," he tells CTV News.
In a letter to council’s Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee (SPPC), Van Holst recommends getting a preemptive opinion about the potential oppression of three groups:
- those concerned about long term safety,
- a scientific control group,
- those seeking medical privacy
His letter states that with regard to mandating vaccination, “some will claim it to be an act of coercion and potentially oppression.”
"We’ve never been in a position where a medical treatment might be mandated by the city or a business," he adds.
City hall has not mandated vaccination to access municipal services or facilities in London.
Dr. Chris Mackie, Medical Officer of Health for London and Middlesex County has expressed support for requiring vaccination in high risk settings— with exemptions on medical, religious, or philosophical grounds.
Mayor Ed Holder rejects the premise of Van Holst’s letter.
"Dying is discriminatory because it limits everything else that you can do!" Mayor Holder fired back when asked about the letter. "I think what has to happen, as we have said consistently over the last months get your shot, (then) get your second shot."
Councillor Shawn Lewis says he also won’t vote refer the matter to the advisory committee— suggesting it’s a misleading distraction.
"Absolutely not. This is a health decision," explains Councillor Lewis. "This is a big red herring. I want to see as many Londoners vaccinated as soon as possible so we can take off these masks and get back to life as normal."
Regarding his personal opinion about vaccination Van Holst says, "I am comfortable with the idea of informed consent. So if people make the decision, that’s great so long as they have the information given to them about the consequences."
Van Holst’s letter is on the July 28 agenda of the SPPC meeting at city hall.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6977430.1721929538!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
'There's mom and dad's house': New video appears to show destruction of Jasper neighbourhood
Video posted to social media on Thursday morning appears to show the charred remains of a Jasper, Alta., neighbourhood.
Multiple homes, businesses 'lost' to wildfire in Jasper National Park: Parks Canada
Officials from Parks Canada and Jasper say "multiple structures, including a number of businesses and homes, in and around the town of Jasper, have been lost" to wildfire in Jasper National Park.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
Alberta premier says a third, perhaps half, of all Jasper buildings destroyed by fire
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says early reports indicate a third and perhaps up to half of all buildings in the historic Rocky Mountain resort town of Jasper have been destroyed in a wildfire.
Canada to bring home fewest Olympic medals since 2012, according to forecaster
Fewer Canadians are expected to reach the Paris podium than in the previous two Olympic Summer Games, a global data analytics company predicts.
Jennifer Aniston criticizes JD Vance for 'childless cat ladies' remarks: 'I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children'
Jennifer Aniston is criticizing JD Vance for comments he made in his past about women without children.
'Skibidi Toilet:' If you don't know what it is, you will
'Skibidi Toilet' is already an internet sensation and now its about to get even more exposure after the YouTube series is being developed for TV and film, according to a report by Variety.
NASA says no return date yet for astronauts and Boeing capsule at space station
Already more than a month late getting back, two NASA astronauts will remain at the International Space Station until engineers finish working on problems plaguing their Boeing capsule, officials said Thursday.
French sprinter will wear a cap during Olympic opening ceremony after hijab dispute is resolved
French sprinter Sounkamba Sylla will be allowed to participate in the opening ceremony at the Paris Olympics wearing a cap to cover her hair, an agreement reached with the French Olympic Committee after Sylla said she was barred because of her hijab.