The NDP shared a video of British Columbia Conservative Leader John Rustad saying he regrets getting the “so-called vaccine” for COVID-19.
In the video, Rustad speaks directly to the camera, saying that mandatory vaccinations are not aimed at achieving herd immunity or preventing the spread of infection, but rather at “shaping public opinion and controlling the population.”
The video, shared by the NDP on the third day of the British Columbia election campaign, is an edited version of a longer piece of footage posted online by BC Public Employees for Freedom, a group of vaccinated and unvaccinated former employees who believe mandatory vaccination in the workplace violates their medical privacy and human rights.
The group said the conversation with Rustad took place in an online meeting with its members on June 14.
WATCH | Excerpts of Rustad’s conversation with the BC Public Servants’ Liberal Association shared by the NDP:
John Rustad says in a video released by the NDP that he regrets getting the “so-called vaccine” for COVID-19.
In a July video released by the BC New Democratic Party, BC Conservative Leader John Rustad is seen discussing mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations with the BC Public Servants Liberal Association and saying he regrets getting the “so-called vaccine.”
During the Surrey Affordable Care Policy announcement on Monday, four reporters questioned Rustad multiple times about the video and his stance on the COVID-19 vaccination program. Rustad repeatedly dodged the questions but said it was a “horrifying problem” that unvaccinated doctors and nurses in B.C. have so far been unable to return to work.
The ruling NDP lifted vaccine requirements for health-care workers in July.
NDP Leader David Eby said of the video that Rustad is “promoting the idea that COVID vaccines don’t work, when in fact they have saved many lives in this province.”
While campaigning in Burnaby on Monday, Eby said voters should consider whether they can support and trust leaders whose thinking and decisions are based on “internet conspiracies.”
“These aren’t minor issues,” Eby said. “These are really important things that British Columbians need to know about. He says one thing that people think is private and won’t be made public, and then he says another thing in public. John Rustad always says different things to different groups when it comes to health policy, so you can’t trust what he’s saying.”
WATCH | Rustad answers your questions about the video:
John Rustad asked about his stance on COVID-19 vaccines
B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad came under questioning on the campaign trail after the province’s New Democratic Party released a video of the leader saying he regrets getting the “so-called vaccine” for COVID-19.
Rustad told reporters Monday that he had not seen the video.
“I understand why the NDP has decided to debate an issue such as vaccines because they can’t defend their own policies,” he said.
“To me, the most important thing that’s happening in British Columbia right now is the fact that people are leaving the province because they can’t afford to live here, and we need to do everything we can to reduce those costs.”
He announced that his party would introduce a tax cut on housing costs (rent or mortgage) of up to $3,000 per month, which he would call the “Rustad Exemption.”
British Columbia voters go to the polls on October 19th.
