Ontario Conservative MPs pass motion demanding Sloan apologize for attack on Tam
Posted April 29, 2020 12:45 pm.
Last Updated April 29, 2020 8:14 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA — Ontario Conservative MP Derek Sloan could face expulsion from his party’s caucus over remarks he made questioning the loyalty of the country’s chief public health officer.
Sources tell The Canadian Press a motion was put forward by other Ontario Conservative MPs during a phone meeting Tuesday afternoon demanding he apologize or retract his comments.
The sources, granted anonymity to speak about confidential caucus matters, said the ensuing debate was heated but nearly all of those on the call voted in favour of telling Sloan to say sorry.
Sloan is also running for the leadership of the party, under the slogan of “Conservative without apology.”
Sloan has released a statement on social media, but Sloan has not explicitly apologized for his comments against Tam.
He writes that he is not questioning Dr. Tam’s loyalty to Canada, and never intended to do so. He also insists he “never once mentioned Dr.Tam’s race or sex”, instead shifting the blame onto Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberals.
Sloan writes that his question of whether Tam works “for Canada” or “for China” was a rhetorical question.
He adds he is not doubting Tam’s intentions and is doing the best she can for the country but stops short of an apology, writing he remains “greatly concerned” that Tam holds the position of Chief Public Health Officer of Canada.
