Ontario MPP Rick Nicholls has stepped down as Deputy Speaker of the Ontario Legislature after being prevented from running again in 2022 due to his refusal to take the COVID vaccine.
In August, Nicholls was infamously kicked out of Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative Party for not taking the vaccine, stating that he believed he would be able to remain in the Party and exercise his bodily autonomy.
He was sadly mistaken.
“I took the premier at his word that vaccination is a choice and that all Ontarians have a constitutional right to make such a choice. Like almost two million eligible Ontarians, I choose to exercise this autonomy over my own body while continuing to work hard for the people of Ontario,” said Nicholls in August.
Nicholls reiterated these sentiments on Tuesday and says that his steadfast refusal to get the vaccine is forcing his hand.
“The government attempted to force me into getting the vaccine or be removed from caucus. Sticking to my values and my principles, I refused to get the vaccine,” Nicholls said Tuesday. “So, the government made good on their threat by removing me from caucus and prohibiting me from running in the 2022 election….”
“As a result… I am announcing that I am stepping down as the deputy speaker and chair of the committee of the whole house.”
Nicholls also reiterated his stance on vaccines, saying that he is not anti-vaccine, merely disagrees with the government mandating it.
Additionally, Nicholls says that he already knows who is replacing him — not because Doug Ford’s government told him, but because he was alerted by the media.
“I want to thank the media for letting me know that the government has actually already selected a replacement for me. Yes, that’s correct. The government didn’t let me know. But I know the individual, and I wish him all the best,” he said.
MPP Bill Walker has been appointed as Nicholls’s replacement.
It is not clear if Nicholls will continue his career in politics — or if he will even be allowed to.
