Decision to keep vaccination status private a 'fundamental liberty': Manitoba MLA

A Manitoba cabinet minister sayshis decision to keep his vaccination status private is a civil liberty that must be protected.

And though Ron Schulersays there are "amazing benefits" to vaccines, hehas not joined his government and itshealth officials in urging everyone to get aCOVID-19 vaccine if they can.

For months, the infrastructure ministerhas deflected questions about his vaccination status by describing it as private health information.

On Thursday, Schuler stood up for the people who, he argues,feel forced to divulgewhether they're vaccinated or not.

"I fundamentally believe in the protection of civil liberties. I believe it is our right to make our own health-care choicesthis is a fundamental liberty," hesaid at an unrelated news briefing.

"It is also our right to choose to keep our health-care choices private. No one should ever be coerced to make a health-care choice or publicly divulge their choice, or for that matter feel that they have to publicly defend their choices. I believe those are liberties," Schulercontinued.

"Thus, my personal health information is a private matter and I do not discuss my personal health publicly."

It's presumed Schuler is vaccinated, since as of Wednesday, all MLAs entering Manitoba'slegislative building had to befully vaccinated.Thursday's news conference, related to drought conditions,was held at the legislative building.

Premier Heather Stefansonhas said she would expelany Progressive ConservativeMLAwho wasn't fully vaccinated from caucus,withoutexception.

Schuler said the province's seat of power muststandforcivil liberties,and if it doesn't, "then this just becomes another really nice building. It doesn't have meaning."

He encouraged anyone questioning the need for vaccination to consult with their doctor to make an "informed decision," but didn't note that medical professionals are overwhelmingly in favour of vaccination for anyone eligible, barringrare exceptions.

'Not an anti-vaxxer'

Schuler said many people have approached him throughout the pandemic for advice on whether to get vaccinated.

"They've been pushed,bullied,cajoled [by people]on either side," he said.

"They call me in tears and ask me what they should do, and my advice to them is, 'Go to your family doctor, go to a health-care provider and seek advice from a medical professional.'

"I have 'minister' in front of my name. Not 'doctor.'"

Schulerdid not go so far as to promote vaccination against COVID-19, however.

He was asked twice if he supports the urgingfrom Chief Provincial Public Health OfficerDr. Brent Roussin and other officialsto get vaccinated.

Each time, Schuler said it's up to each individual.

"I think vaccinations have done miracles in our modern society, and I am not an anti-vaxxer. I believe in vaccinations," he said.

But vaccination is "a decision you make as an individual," he said.

"Whatever your decision is, [it] should be done without being bullied or cajoled or feel[ing] pressured. You should make your health-care choices for yourself, and those should be kept private."

Schuler is part of a Progressive Conservative government that has spent a year strongly urging people to get vaccinated as the COVID-19 pandemic has claimed the lives of Manitobans,closed businesses and exhausted the health-care system.

The province has also made proof of vaccination mandatoryfor entry into many businesses and events, ranging from restaurants to sports events.

In explaining her rationale for implementing a vaccine mandate atthe legislative building, the premier said earlier this month that"it's really important that we lead by example."

On Thursday morning, her government celebrated the one-year anniversary of its public vaccination campaign.

Schuler is walking a fine line between what he perhaps believes about COVID-19 vaccinations, supported by some in his rural constituency, and the opinions of the premier, said Christopher Adams, an adjunct professorof political science at the University of Manitoba.

But Adams points out thatSchuler isn't discouraging people from getting vaccinated, which shows he isn't standing in the way of the province's efforts.

Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont wasn't as charitable, describing Schuler's position as unacceptable.The minister is "more worried about his feelings than about setting an example that could save lives," Lamont said in a statement.

Until recently, the Progressive Conservatives caucus saidit wasaware that 34 of its 35 sitting MLAswere vaccinated,but didn't say if the remaining elected official was vaccinated or whether they disclosed their status.

It appears that individual would be Schuler,based onprocess of elimination. He was the only Tory MLA who had refused to state vaccination status.

The Opposition NDPcalled for Schulerto be removed from cabinet after it was reported in November thata staff memberin his constituency office died of COVID-19.

The NDP and Liberals sayalltheir MLAshave been fully vaccinated for months.