“I deeply regret travelling over the holidays. It was a mistake and I apologize,” Phillips said in a statement.
His apology comes after Premier Doug Ford said he is disappointed in Phillips’ decision to travel abroad, especially at a time when Ontarians have been asked to make sacrifices. When Phillips left the country, Toronto and Peel were already placed under a lockdown and case counts were surging in a number of other jurisdictions.
He said that while abroad, he has continued to work daily as the Minister of Finance and MPP for Ajax and has participated in “dozens of digital ministry, constituency and cabinet committee calls and meetings. NDP deputy leader Sara Singh said Phillips’ travel is the latest example of a pattern of Ford government members not observing public health advice.
Well its not like Trudeau is actually closing our borders therefore he did nothing illigal. Unlike Trudeau. WE, SNC lavlin. Etc.. etc.. etc... etc... etc... where's all the money going that he's printing? Not going to Canadians thats for sure
My husband working in the ICU right now Rod thanks you. 🖕
AnnieClaireBO It would be interesting to know how many politicians across Canada took vacations outside the country. I'm willing to bet we'd be shocked.
Very disappointing.
fired
What a great example of leadership
How about he doesn’t have a job when he comes back? How many weeks of his vacation time is he using up for this little holiday? The every day little people would have to use their vacation time for the 14 day quarantine. JustinTrudeau
Of course. Hierarchy is in full effect. So gross.
Maybe he needs to be fired and replaced. How can we trust in someone who won't even follow the rules they're asking others to obey. What else has he done in hopes no one finds out?
Absolutely disgusting! Any gov't official of any stripes who would be arrogant enough to force the population to ride out the storm as they retreat, should be shot. This is how history repeats itself, the French Revolution comes to mind, with heads dropping!
COVIDiot
This man sits with our “top doctors” and “medical professionals” daily, and yet elected to go away. He knows this virus isn’t serious. Wake up, Ontario.
Rules for thee, not for me
Didn't Trudeau travel at Easter during the lockdown when daily he preached to stay home?
I think Rod Philips needs to see the inside of a jail cell when he returns from vacation to give him some time to think about his actions
Rod is on vacation where gyms, restaurants, bars, indoor pools are open. Where masks are not mandated. He leaves behind ON where gyms, restaurants, bars, indoor pools are all on lockdown . If he can risk catching covid why can't I risk it at a hockey rink , gym, or bar?
Lots of these politicians don’t follow their own restrictions. Tells me they are really not that worried about Covid 🤷♀️. Also tells me they don’t face the same legal ramifications as the rest of us either.
bill morneau left canada too.
So where is Turdeau?
It is not against the law to travel in/out of Canada, we allow thousands of people to flow thru our borders daily, without any C19 testing. There is still personal freedom in this country.
anything to prompt liberalism .... if this was a Liberal MP ... not a word would be said