Bringing down the vax hammer Did someone forward you this newsletter? Sign up here to get it delivered weekday mornings. Justin Trudeau, back from Tofino, held a newser in Ottawa Wednesday to announced a vaccine policy that will require public servants to get jabbed or go on an unpaid leave of absence, CBC reports. The mandate applies to the RCMP and federal contractors, an estimated 267,000 employees. Travellers will also need to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 30. The unvaccinated will face "disciplinary action that could ultimately cost them their job," an official said at a technical briefing. Crown corporations, including Canada Post and CBC/Radio Canada, and the House of Commons and the Senate will be asked to establish similar policies. The whole thing will depend on attestations, which could open loopholes. The employees who fall under this mandate will not have to produce their proof of vaccination documents. Instead, it essentially relies on an honour system: employees will have to sign an attestation form certifying that they've had the necessary shots. These attestation forms will be audited and managers can ask for proof of vaccination at any time. "Lying would mean disciplinary measures would be taken. It's consequential for an employee to lie," a senior government official said, adding that a false statement would breach the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector and could result in termination. The Globe has a story focused on the implications for travellers. What about MPs? Star columnist Althia Raj has an astute column on how the Conservatives could get wedged on the vax status of their caucus, even though the election is over, because there will be pressure to impose a vaccination mandate in the House of Commons. Last year, when the government — with the consent of the Conservative leadership — tried to pass emergency pandemic legislation sight unseen, Conservative MP Scott Reid defied orders and showed up on the Hill to make some valid points about this dangerous precedent. It is not inconceivable that several unvaccinated Tories would — if the Bloc, NDP and Liberals adopt mandatory vaccination — stand up to argue their “privileges ” as members are being breached. These are essentially rights in Parliament that allow MPs to fulfil their duties unimpeded, with “freedom from obstruction, interference and intimidation.” Some Liberals relish the thought of seeing Conservative MPs stand up and plead for permission to remain unvaccinated against COVID-19. Sorry for Tofino: Trudeau also took the occasion to apologize for skipping events on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to hit the beach with his family, the Globe reports. “Travelling on September 30th was a mistake, and I regret it. I’m focused on making this right.” Often sorry: In the Post, John Ivison disapprovingly enumerates some of Trudeau's apologies. Not getting it: Chrystia Freeland says the leadership of the Canadian Forces just don't get it, Global reports, when it comes to the handling of sexual misconduct within the Canadian Armed Forces. She was commenting on the removal of an officer from his role reviewing sexual misconduct files after it was revealed that he wrote a positive reference letter for a sex offender. Headed for exits: Alice Chen, in the Hill Times, has a poignant story based on interviews with MPs who lost their seats in the recent election, including Lenore Zann, who said the experience "feels like another death." Liberals get Quebec seat: The Liberals won the riding of Châteauguay-Lacolle by 12 votes after a recount, CTV reports Greens said to exist: Elizabeth May shares her thoughts about the state of the Green Party with CBC: "I know this puts me in a bad situation but it's important for Canadians to know that there is a Green Party. It's important for people to know the Green Party exists. We're not going away. We will rebuild." Mystery outbreak: In Maclean’s Christina Frangou delves into the mysterious illness that has sickened and killed people in New Brunswick and left many anxious about who’s at risk and what’s being done to investigate the cluster of cases: The Public Health Agency of Canada, or PHAC, triggered an alert about a high number of unusual neurological cases in the province late last year. The agency provided specialized expertise early in the investigation by interpreting diagnostic and autopsy results, and worked with a New Brunswick neurologist to establish a case definition for the cluster. But, over the last three months, PHAC refused multiple requests from Maclean’s to speak with its scientists—including scientists who gave interviews last spring and have since gone silent. PHAC says that the province of New Brunswick is now leading the investigation, and the federal agency’s role is a supportive one. A federal public servant, who was not authorized to speak on the record, told Maclean’s : “PHAC is no longer in the cluster investigation business.” — Stephen Maher | 
