Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre called on lawmakers in the House of Commons on Tuesday (October 24) to support a bill he proposed that opposes mandatory vaccination. If the bill is approved, the Canadian government will not have the ability to require citizens and incoming travelers to receive the new crown vaccine mandatorily.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canadian government once made it mandatory for incoming passengers, long-distance transportation operators, and federal agency employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Poilievre stated that by following these policies, Trudeau divided, insulted, and stigmatized millions of patriotic, law-abiding Canadians.

All mandatory measures related to the coronavirus pandemic have been lifted. However, Poilievre said it is still necessary for Parliament to pass legislation to prevent governments from reimposing these measures in the future and to clarify that the ugly chapter in our history of using public health policies to divide people and the country has ended.

He added that he supports bodily autonomy, meaning that every Canadian should have the right to decide what should be injected into their body. A recent conference held by the Conservative Party showed that 68% of delegates support this position.

The House of Commons also voted by a majority of 205 votes to 114 to reject the bill on Wednesday afternoon. The Conservatives hold 117 seats in the House of Commons.