By Canadian Press

Liberal MP Joël Lightbound calls out Trudeau government for ‘divisive’ COVID policies

Feb 8, 2022 | 10:54 AM

A Liberal member of Parliament is calling out his own government for what he says is its divisive management of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Joël Lightbound told reporters in Ottawa today that federal COVID-19 measures, such as vaccination mandates for travellers and civil servants, need to be re-evaluated and the public needs a clear road map for when restrictions will be fully lifted.

Lightbound, who represents the Louis-Hébert riding in Quebec City, says he worries the Liberal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has a tone and policies that are divisive and risk undermining public trust. 

Meanwhile, the premiers of both Saskatchewan and Quebec are set to hold news conferences on the COVID-19 situation in their provinces today. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is expected to announce a plan to remove or reduce provincial public health orders.

Quebec is reporting 56 more deaths linked to the novel coronavirus today. The Health Department says the number of hospitalizations declined by 45, to 2,380, and 178 people are in intensive care. 

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Ontario is reporting 42 more COVID-19 deaths. The Health Department says 2,254 people are hospitalized with COVID-19 and 474 patients are in intensive care. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 8, 2021. 

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This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship.

The Canadian Press