Sarnia-Lambton MP Marilyn Gladu is backtracking on some statements she made about COVID-19 vaccines on a national political show over the weekend.

Gladu, who is part of a newly formed Civil Liberties Caucus in the Conservative Party, told CTV’s Question Period, the group is looking out for the rights of the unvaccinated. The comments which drew the most fire where when Gladu compared COVID-19 to polio.

“In terms of the risk, people that got polio, many of them died and many of them were crippled, and that is not the same frequency of risk that we see with COVID-19…I’m just receiving the information from medical experts that talk about the relative risk. I’m not a doctor myself,” Gladu told Evan Soloman.

The Conservative Leader, Erin O’Toole, who has not required his caucus to be vaccinated, chided Gladu a day later while speaking with reporters.

“It’s important for members of Parliament to advocate for their constituents who may be losing a job or may need reasonable accommodation, we do that all the time on a range of issues. But it’s very different to cause confusion with respect to the health and well-being of Canadians and Ms. Gladu’s interview did that yesterday,” he told reporters on Monday.

The Independent asked for an interview with the MP about her comments, but was told by staff she was unavailable. Instead, we were offered a written statement which was also posted on social media.

“I would like to apologize for my inappropriate comments about COVID-19 vaccines during a recent CTV interview,” Gladu wrote.
“Upon reflection, I recognize how dangerous it is to share misinformation about the severity of COVID-19 and the safety and efficacy of vaccines. I retract these comments in full.
“I apologize unreservedly to Canadians. I also apologize to my caucus colleagues and Leader for the distraction my comments have created,” she says.

“Vaccines are a safe and effective way to limit the spread of COVID-19 and prevent serious illness. I encourage every Canadian, who is able, to get vaccinated. When it comes to the safety and efficacy of vaccines, it should be physicians and public health experts who advise Canadians, not politicians.”