Opposition leaders demand Doug Ford apologize for saying NDP legislator jumped vax line

Ontario opposition politicians are demanding an apology from Premier Doug Ford for accusing an Indigenous NDP legislator of “jumping the line” for COVID-19 vaccinations.

Sol Mamakwa, who represents the northern Kiiwetinoong riding, had publicly discussed his vaccination when he received his first dose last month. He said was invited by community elders to take the shot to help combat vaccine hesitancy among Indigenous residents in Ontario.

He said on Thursday that Ford’s comments demonstrate a lack of respect for Indigenous people, their leadership and their historic challenges in accessing health care.

“It’s a lack of compassion for Indigenous people, and the indifference that exists within the system,” Mamakwa said in an interview Thursday. “Those comments that he made totally undermine and damage the vaccination efforts that we’re doing.”

Ford made the remarks during debate in the provincial legislature on Thursday, after Mamakwa asked about the government’s plan to distribute vaccines to Indigenous people in urban areas. Indigenous people are a priority under the current phase of the province’s vaccine rollout.

Ford pointed in response to vaccinations ongoing in fly-in Indigenous communities and alleged that unnamed Indigenous leaders were upset that Mamakwa received a dose.

“The member flew in to get his vaccine, so thank you for doing that and kind of jumping the line,” Ford said. “I talked to a few chiefs that were pretty upset about that, for flying into the community that he doesn’t belong to, but that’s neither here nor there.”

Mamakwa said on Thursday that he had not heard of the complaints Ford referenced, and that he was vaccinated because his constituents asked.

“I report to my constituents, and that’s what they wanted,” he said.

He said he struggled himself with the decision to get the shot, but ultimately did so based on what he was hearing from constituents and his desire to save lives and preserve culture and history in communities that are vulnerable to outbreaks.

The leaders of the NDP, Liberal and Green parties all condemned Ford’s comments.

 

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath sent a letter to Premier Ford regarding his comments about Mamakwa’s participation in the campaign to combat vaccine hesitancy in First Nations communities.

“Dear Premier, I’m writing to express my shock, and considerable concern about your public remarks today, which have dangerously undermined vital public health and vaccination efforts in the COVID-19 pandemic,” the beginning of the letter reads.

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“Your decision to attack Sol Mamakwa (MPP for Kiiwetinoong) for being vaccinated amounts to a reckless, and dangerous undermining of multiple interlocking efforts by First Nations, local governments, Ontario, public health authorities, and the Government of Canada to ensure that all Indigenous adults, both on and off-reserve receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

… As a member of Kingfisher Lake First Nation, MPP Mamakwa not only qualified for the vaccination he received but was specifically asked to get his shots publicly to assist with the goals of vaccine roll-out, in particular Ontario’s Operation Remote Immunity. Sol received his first shot in Muskrat Dam First Nation, at the invitation of Chief Gordon Beardy, with the support of Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority. He received his second shot in Sandy Lake First Nation, at the invitation of Chief Delores Kakegamic.

It is imperative that you recant your baseless insult hurled at an Indigenous MPP and First Nations leader, and clarify immediately for all Indigenous people, on and off-reserve, that they should get the COVID-19 vaccination. You must also set the record straight, and clarify that you fully support and will empower all efforts to ensure Indigenous people – and all Ontarians – are speedily vaccinated to bring an end to this pandemic.”

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The premier’s office said Thursday that Ford had nothing further to add.