Liberal MP Yves Robillard was sanctioned by his party’s chief whip for defying the recommendation not to travel outside the country unless travel was essential.
Chief Government Whip Steven MacKinnon released a statement Wednesday saying he was “deeply disappointed” that the MP for Marc-Aurèle-Fortin had traveled outside of Canada, in violation of party instructions.
The whip said Liberal MPs have been urged to avoid non-essential international travel as cases of the Omicron variant are rapidly increasing.
The instruction reflects the government’s advice to Canadians to try to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Steven MacKinnon has said that although MP Robillard is fully vaccinated, his trip during the parliamentary recess was not considered essential and he will therefore be removed from his post as a member of the Standing Committee on National Defense.
The Whip, who has not mentioned Yves Robillard’s destination or the reasons for his trip, intends to discuss with the MP regarding his decision on return from Parliament.
Yves Robillard did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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