Previously unvaxxed Sask MP Wagantall takes her seat in the House of Commons
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Summary
Kathy Wagenthal takes her seat in the House of Commons. It is the first time she has entered the House since the federal government barred unvaccinated MPs from entering until they become fully vaccinated. Wagenthal had to drive from her Saskatchewan riding to sit in the Commons as she cannot travel by plane because of her vaccination status.
Transcript
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Previously unvaccinated Saskatchewan MP Wagenthal takes her seat in the House of Commons.
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Previously unvaccinated Tory MP Kathy Wagenthal took her seat in the House of Commons on Wednesday.
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It is the first time Wagenthal has entered the House since the federal government barred
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unvaccinated MPs from entering until they become fully vaccinated. Now Wagenthal had to drive from
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her Saskatchewan riding to sit in the House as she cannot travel by plane because of her vaccination
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status. Wagenthal argued on a video from the front seat of her car on December 6, 2021 that she should
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not have to show proof of vaccination to represent her constituents as she has a valid medical reason
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not to be vaccinated. She said the government's motion passed in the House does actually impose
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inappropriate conditions on the House of Commons Nurses' Professional Medical Authority and
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independence from political interference to determine whether a medical exemption should be
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provided to a member of parliament, said Wagenthal. Before the policy change, the federal government
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allowed a negative COVID-19 test or double vaccinated plus 14 days to enter the House of Commons.
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So far, there's been no fallout from Wagenthal sitting in the House.
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I'm Chris Olkhorn, reporting for the Western State.