Justin Trudeau: Unvaccinated Were ‘Putting Other People at Risk’

TRUDEAU: “I think there was a lot of anger and frustration on all sides. Because the pandemic was in an unbelievably difficult situation, and people were isolated and fearful and — and going through mental health challenges. And people were dying. People were dying, because we didn’t have access to vaccines at first and then people were dying because they didn’t get vaccinated, and they were putting other people at risk. And I think there was a lot of people —“ [crosstalk]

Reporter: “I know. I think it’s that term, that specific term that people held unacceptable views. That’s the thing that really seems to —“ [crosstalk]

TRUDEAU: “OK. Well, then let me — let me break that down a little bit in as clear way as I can. There have always been people who for various reasons, personal, cultural, various things, have been hesitated to get vaccinated. And obviously, that’s their choice. Nobody was forced to get vaccinated. And that’s really important. However, there were people out there who were actively spreading misinformation and disinformation causing people to doubt science. Even as doctors and leaders were trying to convince people to do the right thing, get vaccinated, there are people out there trying to scare them into not getting vaccinated. That is something that I think needed to be called out. And — and calling people out who are putting at risk the lives of Canadians and the well being of Canadians is something that is the job of a prime minister.”