Ontario MPP Rick Nicholls booted from PC caucus after refusing to take COVID-19 vaccine – CBC

MPP Christina Mitas will remain in caucus as she provided a statement of medical exemption

Aug 19, 2021

An Ontario legislator who was warned to get vaccinated against COVID-19 has been removed from the Progressive Conservative caucus after telling reporters he wouldn’t take the shot.

In a statement Thursday, Premier Doug Ford said Chatham-Kent-Leamington MPP Rick Nichols “failed to provide a legitimate reason for exemption from vaccination.

“As a consequence, he is no longer a sitting member of the PC caucus and will not be permitted to seek re-election as a PC candidate,” the statement said.

Nicholls was one of two Tory legislators facing a Thursday evening deadline to show proof of vaccination or a medical exemption.

Ford said Scarborough Centre MPP Christina Mitas will remain in caucus because she provided a statement of medical exemption signed by a physician. The statement also says Mitas will take “additional precautions” while carrying out her duties as an elected representative.

Nicholls had previously said he made a “personal choice” not to get immunized and won’t be “coerced” into taking the vaccine.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/rick-nicholls-mpp-vaccine-1.6146791