Following my recovery from COVID-19, I was looking forward to returning to Queens Park this week to continue holding the Ford PCs to account.

But thanks to the Speaker, PC MPP Ted Arnott, I am unable to attend the legislature this week and for a full 90-days …

… because I recovered from COVID-19!

In October, the Speaker implemented a rule that every Member of Provincial Parliament had to either use a COVID-19 vaccine passport, or show proof of a negative COVID-19 test, to enter Queens Park.

I refuse the COVID-19 passport requirements.

So, to do the job I was elected to do – the job that taxpayers pay me to do – I have been taking rapid antigen tests for COVID-19, as have a few other MPPs.

On November 17th, my test returned a positive result for COVID-19. 

After a couple of days of illness, I recovered, but I was not permitted to enter the legislature for the rest of that week or last week.  I couldn’t participate in legislative matters during that time (like voting against Motion 8) as there is no virtual participation option provincially for MPPs as there is federally for MPs.

According to Public Health, my “quarantine” was over yesterday and I would “not [be] required to provide proof of a negative test result in order to return to work / activities.” 

Public Health was clear that someone in my position, who has recovered from COVID-19, should be permitted to go back to work.  Public Health’s position is that rapid antigen tests are unreliable in the 90-day period following recovery from COVID-19 and it is extremely unlikely that someone would catch and transmit COVID-19 in the 90-day period following such recovery. 

But that isn’t good enough for the Ford PCs and their legislative Speaker who have a different set of rules, different than even Public Health.

The Speaker’s position is that since I cannot take a rapid antigen test for 90-days after a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, and since taking a rapid antigen test or adhering to COVID-19 vaccine passport requirements, are the two conditions for entry into Queens Park, I would not be permitted entry for 90-days.

So, for 90-days following my COVID-19 diagnosis, I am barred from entering Queens Park.  [Note: Randy Hillier falsely claims that he too is barred from entering Queens Park, but he is not.  Randy’s just using a false claim as an excuse to hide his deal with the Ford PCs which includes getting rewarded for skipping work for more than a year.  You can read more about the real reason Randy skips work by clicking here and you can read more on Randy’s deal with the Ford PCs by clicking here.]

The decision by the Speaker, like most of the decisions by the Ford PCs, defies logic.  With natural immunity, I am less likely to catch or transmit COVID-19 than any other individual, vaccinated or otherwise.

I feel for the thousands of Ontarians who have lost their jobs or educations as a result of similar illogical decisions.

We should be focusing our efforts on effective treatment for COVID-19. 

Instead, the Ford PCs and certain “experts” are intent on punishing Ontarians.

We continue to build the New Blue Party of Ontario to counter the illogical left-wing authoritarian policies of the PCs, Liberals and NDP.

That is what we have done, and with your help, what we will continue to do.

Our candidate application will soon be available as we continue to get ready for the June 2022 election. 

There are only four weeks left to make a contribution to the New Blue Ontario Fund and receive a generous political tax credit of up to 75%.  Please consider the New Blue Party in your annual giving plans.

It is time to stand on principle. 

Thank you for your continued support.

God bless,

Belinda Karahalios
Cambridge
New Blue Party of Ontario

P.S. Only four weeks are left in 2021 to support the New Blue Party of Ontario with a contribution which may be eligible for up to a 75% political tax credit.  Click here to contribute today!