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Commentary
Issues such as medical care, education, and foreign policy usually dominate the discourse at the start of federal election campaigns. However, it is not a regular campaign. As the two years of the COVID-19 pandemic approach, it is not surprising that issues such as forced vaccination will become paramount, but it remains strange. States parties, experts and activists are all working to trap and earn points on this unique and disruptive issue.
We haven’t yet flowed into the realm of truly coerced medical procedures, but we’re moving in that direction. Laws have been proposed and drafted to enforce people through employment eligibility and travel restrictions. Private companies are encouraged to attend as there are sporting events requiring proof of vaccination while theaters and restaurants impose similar requirements on patrons and staff.
The concept of a vaccine passport was dismissed in less than a year as being in the realm of conspiracy theory, but is now accepted as part of life.
Opinion polls of Canadian citizens show that the majority of citizens support the concept of forced vaccination. A recent survey of 1,500 Canadians conducted by Ipsos found that more than three-quarters of Canadians support essential vaccines for teachers and healthcare professionals. That number has risen to 90 percent in the Atlantic states. Currently, political leaders of all major political parties are forced to clarify their position on mandatory vaccination.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has shown the strongest stance on this issue, requiring all civil servants and all employees in the federal regulatory sector to be vaccinated compulsorily. This includes well over a million Canadians, from civil servants to broadcasters. Trudeau said ominously that federal workers who refused vaccination would have “results.” He also wants to impose compulsory vaccinations on travelers by sea or air, whether foreign or domestic, and requires all liberal candidates in the election to be vaccinated.
Conservative leader Erin O’Toole is in a more modest position. Although he supports the vaccine, he allows him to go out through mandatory daily rapid examinations. This still requires some kind of vaccination passport, which puts a lot of pressure on unvaccinated people. Although the cost of such extensive testing is high, it provides a means for those who refuse vaccination to retain employment and travel.
The position of NDP leader Jagmatesin is similar to Trudeau’s position in that he feels that vaccines should be enforced through workplace restrictions. Shin has taken care to keep his approach subtle in order to avoid clashes with the public-sector trade union. His base strongly supports compulsory vaccination, but organized labor can recede if thousands of union civil servants are suddenly dismissed.
Kuomintang leader Maxime Bernier is openly opposed to forced vaccination, but Greens leader Anamy Paul has not taken a clear position on the issue. Both parties were able to get some devoted support from those who generally strongly oppose vaccination, but it does not put them on the side of the majority.
All parties are under pressure to have candidates declare whether they are vaccinated. Well-known media members have called for candidates one by one on social media and asked for answers. Apparently, medical privacy should no longer be respected.
On the state side, pressure is also rising. Ontario Prime Minister Doug Ford has banished MPP Rick Nichols from the Progressive Conservative Party’s Caucus because he refused to vaccinate. Other prime ministers are under pressure to do the same with the members of the caucuses.
As for myself, I chose to get both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. However, the important factor here is selection. We need to be concerned about the fact that the majority tyranny is moving into areas where people are being forced to take medication. People who choose not to be vaccinated for some reason quickly become social paria, unemployed and unable to travel. We should endeavor to encourage people to be vaccinated for reasons rather than coercion. Assuming that the COVID vaccine is as effective as branded, 100% of the population does not need to be vaccinated before reaching herd immunity anyway.
Over time, I think many obligations and vaccination requirements will be abolished as court complaints increase and the pandemic diminishes. Nonetheless, we feel that leaders are obliged to step on the individual’s right to gain majority support, so we set some disturbing precedents in this election campaign.
We can no longer afford to dismiss concerns about individual rights as a conspiracy theory. But how far will we let go of the nation before we speak?
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Cory Morgan is a columnist and business owner based in Calgary, Alberta.
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