Ottawa, ON – The Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives and the Official Opposition, issued the following statement:

“Canadians are having a very difficult time coping with the current spike in COVID-19 cases and accompanying lockdowns. Hospitalizations and ICU admissions are soaring. Business are closed, and workers are losing their jobs or having their hours cut. 

“The mental health crisis our communities have been struggling with across Canada has deepened, and Canadian families are worried about their children.

“This is what Justin Trudeau’s vaccine failure looks like. It has had real consequences for Canadians. 

“In the United States, cases and hospitalizations are dropping. Business are opening, restaurant patios are busy, and fans are returning to watch in-person NHL, NBA, and MLB games. This is happening because the US population is vaccinated.

“Our current situation in Canada was avoidable. This is Justin Trudeau’s third wave. 

“Today I will be meeting with the Prime Minister, and while he has rejected our suggestions in the past, I am hopeful he will be more willing to listen this time, especially given the seriousness of the situation we are in and the failure of his current approach. 

“As Parliament returns for five weeks ahead of the summer, Conservatives will demonstrate that our Canada Recovery Plan will be the first step towards securing the future for all Canadians.”