Liberal MP Fed Up With Pandemic, Criticizes Own Party

Liberal Quebec MP Joël Lightbound has described the federal government's pandemic response as having become "politicized" and "divisive."

Lightbound— a former parliamentary secretary to the minister of finance — said people who question existing policies should not be "demonized" by their prime minister.

"I can't help but notice with regret that both the tone and the policies of my government have changed drastically since the last election campaign. It went from a more positive approach to one that stigmatizes and divides people," Lightbound said.

The MP noted that the government's decision to put vaccines at the centre of the political debate risks undermining public trust in the country's public health institutions.

"It's becoming harder and harder to know when public health stops and where politics begins," he said. "It's time to stop dividing Canadians and pitting one part of the population against another."

The MP also opposed existing provincial and federal vaccine mandates and COVID-19 policies, many of which were implemented by his party. 1:50

Lightbound aspires to push the Prime Minister to "adapt to the changing reality of the pandemic and of the world."

However, he still described his opposition to the convoy in Ottawa.

"I have absolutely no sympathy for them," he said of the convoy. "It's time to stop the occupation. It's time for truckers to leave."