Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MP Cheryl Gallant says she is concerned over the rising number of soldiers testing positive for COVID-19.
Gallant says in a rare exchange this week, during the extended lockdown of Parliament, the government representative provided no explanation as to why the number of infections among military personnel was now rising, or the steps being taken to protect soldiers on the front lines from catching the virus.
Gallant says as of today (May 26th), 36 military personnel, who were providing support in Long-Term Care have tested positive for COVID-19.
The local MP says Canadians expect our soldiers to be equipped with the latest in protective gear. She adds it would appear the training and equipment have not prevented 36 soldiers serving on the front line of the pandemic from contracting the respiratory illness.
Gallant wanted to recognize the nearly 1,700 soldiers, including those from 1 Canadian Field Hospital stationed at Garrison Petawawa, who are deployed on Operation Laser. As part of Operation Laser, Canadian soldiers have been deployed to long-term care facilities to maintain staffing, and help with infection control and infection prevention.
The MP says it’s time for this mock Parliament to end and she supports the call of the Conservative Party to resume Parliament.
