TORONTO -- A motion put forward by Conservative House Leader Paul Calandra calling for independent MPP Randy Hillier to apologize for a “string of disreputable conduct” related to recent COVID-19 posts passed unanimously Thursday.
Hillier, who represents the eastern Ontario riding of Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston, has frequently posted COVID-19 misinformation and conspiracy theories throughout the pandemic.
Recently he posted an array of photos of people who had died, suggesting without evidence that they had died due to COVID-19 vaccination.
The safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines have been widely accepted by experts around the world.
Families of those posted have come forward saying they were upset by the post and denied Hillier’s allegations.
They include a complaint by Farisa Navab’s family. They say the 20-year-old Cambridge woman died in September from a rare blood disorder, not a COVID-19 vaccine.
Hillier, who was kicked out of the Progressive Conservative caucus before the pandemic, has called on police to investigate the deaths.
MPPs are expected to adhere to the members' Integrity Act.
A member of the Integrity Commissioner’s Office said they can only investigate whether a breach has occurred if another MPP files a request under the Act.
Last Friday, Waterloo NDP MPP Catherine Fife and NDP House Leader MPP Peggy Sattler submitted a co-written a letter to Integrity Commissioner David Wake.
Also last Friday Premier Ford called Hillier’s post disgusting.
Thursday’s motion - unanimously adopted by members of the legislature - said the house dissociates itself from Hillier's conduct. It also calls on him to apologize and "desist from further conduct that is inappropriate and unbecoming" of a member of the legislature.
With files from The Canadian Press.
