While politicians across the province and country are facing harsh backlash for travelling over the winter holidays despite government directives advising against non-essential travel, that won’t be the case for Sea to Sky leaders.
The Chief has confirmed that Patrick Weiler, MP for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, MLA Jordan Sturdy, Squamish Mayor Karen Elliott and all members of Squamish council did not travel over the holidays.
“Like the vast majority of citizens across our riding, I have spent this year's holiday season at home with my immediate household,” said Weiler in a statement to The Chief.
“Not being able to spend the holidays with my immediate family has made this holiday season especially difficult. However, this is in line with clear restrictions on non-essential travel and on social gatherings that have been issued from our provincial health officer that remain in effect until at least Jan.8, 2021, and is reflective of sacrifices that all British Columbians are making to mitigate the worst impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic as we are in the midst of the second wave. I have not travelled outside of British Columbia during the holiday period, and the only travel I have made outside of British Columbia since mid-March has been to Ottawa to carry out essential parliamentary work.”
Weiler added that “the upside of current provincial public health orders and recommendations is that I have developed a newfound appreciation of the incredible outdoors on the North Shore, where I have been enjoying walks and hikes on our many trails. I look forward to getting on the mountain in Whistler when provincewide restrictions are lifted and public health advisories allow.”
Sturdy remained on his farm in Pemberton, his assistant told The Chief.
The District communications department confirmed the mayor and council's whereabouts, but Coun. John French sent The Chief a note to say: “I find it unbelievable that a number of elected officials travelled out of the country.”
Several politicians have faced repercussions after it was revealed they travelled in December. While not illegal, the public has been quick to react to such news given many are giving up their own travel to help stop the spread of the pandemic, as advised by leading health officials.
Manitoba MP Niki Ashton was stripped of her cabinet critic positions by her NDP party after she travelled to Greece to visit her ill grandmother, for example.
In Ontario, Conservative MP Rod Phillips has perhaps faced the most backlash after it was revealed he was in the Caribbean on vacation in mid-December. His staff was left with a pre-recorded video and local photo ops to post while he was away. The controversy led him to fly home early and he was stripped of his senior cabinet post.
~With files from The Canadian Press
*Please note, the headline was changed after the story was posted to say "Squamish" rather than Sea to Sky politicians, as we did not check with SLRD, Pemberton, or Whistler leaders
