Fedeli says expelled MPP harming grieving families with 'fabricated claims' on vaccines
Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli has denounced a former colleague for traumatizing a local family by "fabricating claims" a family member died because of the COVID-19 vaccine.
As reported by CTV News, Randy Hillier, who represents the eastern Ontario riding of Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston, has frequently posted COVID-19 misinformation and conspiracy theories throughout the pandemic.
Recently he posted several photos of people who had died, suggesting without evidence that they had died due to COVID-19 vaccination.
Fedeli said Hillier is causing pain to families to "advance his own agenda."
“Many in the community of Nipissing have expressed concern about Mr. Hillier using a local death to advance his anti-vaccine agenda," Fedeli said in a statement released by his office.
“Let me be clear, there is no place in Ontario for an elected official to fabricate claims about someone who has passed away to advance their own agenda … Not only are Mr. Hillier’s actions deceitful and disgusting, they are also deeply hurtful to the families who have lost loved ones."
On Thursday, Ontario's legislature unanimously called on Hillier to apologize for "a string of disreputable conduct" in the context of COVID-19. Hillier, who was kicked out of the Progressive Conservative caucus before the pandemic, has called on police to investigate the deaths.
Family members of some of those people told various media outlets that they were angered by the post, and denied Hillier's allegations.
“Unfortunately, Mr. Hillier has forgotten the real impact his lies have on those who are already grieving the loss of a family member," Fedeli said.
"Families should not have to deal with the additional burden of Mr. Hillier’s actions. He should respect the families, offer a full apology, and remove the posts in question.
“Getting vaccinated remains the best way to protect ourselves and our loved ones from COVID-19 and the Delta variant. Our government will continue to support families and communities as we continue our last mile push to increase vaccination rates and keep Ontario safe.”
The motion passed in the Ontario legislature condemns Hillier’s behaviour and calls upon him to "apologize and desist from further similar conduct."
"Mr. Hillier’s decision to use the photograph and name of a deceased woman on social media, falsely claiming that her death was caused by the COVID-19 vaccine and his further refusal to remove this content continues to be extremely hurtful to the affected family and is unacceptable from any person let alone an elected Member of Provincial Parliament," the statement from the legislature said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING NEWS Honda to get up to $5B in govt help for EV battery, assembly plants
Honda is set to build an electric vehicle battery plant next to its Alliston, Ont., assembly plant, which it is retooling to produce fully electric vehicles, all part of a $15-billion project that is expected to include up to $5 billion in public money.
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
Residents of northern Alberta First Nation told to shelter in place
Residents of John D'Or Prairie, a community on the Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta, were told to take shelter Thursday morning during a police operation.
Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Metro Vancouver mayors call for serial killer Robert Pickton to be denied parole
A dozen mayors from around Metro Vancouver say federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani should deny parole for notorious B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, and reassess the parole and sentencing system for 'prolific offenders and mass murderers.'