From LifeSiteNews

By Clare Marie Merkowsky

‘I’ve had three shots of the vaccine. I wish I hadn’t, quite frankly,’ B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad said in a recently resurfaced video.

Footage of British Columbia Conservative leader and premier hopeful John Rustad shows him saying he regrets taking the experimental COVID-19 vaccines and thinks government mandates were aimed at controlling the population. 

In an interview, recorded in June but publicized September 23 by Rustad’s political rival, the New Democratic Party (NDP), in a seeming attempt to smear him, the B.C. Conservative leader explained that he regrets taking the COVID vaccines and that mandates instituted in the province at the time weren’t about health, but control.

“I’ve had three shots of the vaccine. I wish I hadn’t, quite frankly,” Rustad said.  

“That’s one of the things that has changed in my thinking. The so-called vaccine, the COVID mRNA shots,” he said, recalling a conversation with B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. 

Rustad said the conversation with Henry left him feeling that something wasn’t “quite right.” 

“When I talked to Bonnie Henry about it, I started to realize that it wasn’t so much about trying to get herd immunity or trying to stop the spread, but it was more around shaping opinion and control on the population,” Rustad said.  

In July of this year, John Rustad met with an anti-vax group that is suing Dr. Bonnie Henry.

He said he regrets getting “the so-called vaccine” and accuses Dr. Henry of using it for “control on the population.” pic.twitter.com/m2h3IHAyK0

— BC NDP (@bcndp) September 23, 2024

Henry became infamous in B.C. thanks to her vaccine policy which prevented unvaccinated health care workers from working for nearly three years.  

Finally, in July of this year, Henry announced that the province is no longer in a public health emergency and is revoking all COVID regulations, including the vaccine mandate. 

The decision came as a surprise after Henry had seemed determined to keep British Columbia’s vaccine mandate regardless of the hundreds of health care workers who had been unable to work since 2021 despite the ongoing worker shortage in the sector.  

In May, Henry’s mandate was challenged in court. The judge ruled that healthcare workers can still be mandated to receive the experimental COVID injections as a condition of employment, but decided that those working remotely are no longer bound by the unscientific rule.   

Hundreds of British Columbia healthcare workers are still suing Henry over the mandate which prevented them from working.   

While Rustad’s comments condemning Henry were made during a July 23 interview with the B.C. Public Service Employees for Freedom which opposes vaccine mandates, the resurfacing of the footage by the NDP ahead of the provincial election this fall seems to suggest the far-left party assumed Rustad’s comments would paint him in a bad light.

However, the video seems to have had the opposite effect, as many online pointed to the video as a reason to vote for Rustad.  

” Y’all don’t realize this will help Rustad’s campaign lol,” pro-freedom nurse Amy Hamm commented.  

“This isn’t the win you think it is,” another wrote. “Lots of people regret getting the #Covid_19 ‘vaccines.’ They prevented neither infection nor transmission and your ‘vaccine’ did not ‘keep others safe’ no matter how much you want to believe it.”

Celebrate with Marco Arop, Nicholas Bennett, Diane Jones Konihowski, Lyndon Rush, Rebecca Smith, Reid Maxwell, and Molly Simpson

September 30, 2024 | Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, Red Deer, AB

The Alberta Sports Hall of Fame is excited to announce an exclusive Olympian Meet & Greet event on September 30, 2024, featuring a lineup of seven of Canada’s most celebrated athletes: Marco Arop, Nicholas Bennett, Diane Jones Konihowski, Lyndon Rush, Rebecca Smith, Reid Maxwell, and Molly Simpson. This unique event will give fans an extraordinary opportunity to meet these Canadian Olympians, learn about their journeys, and get inspired by their remarkable stories.

Each of these athletes has made significant contributions to their respective sports, representing Canada on the global stage with distinction:

• Marco Arop – A middle-distance running powerhouse, Marco Arop is a decorated 800m runner and World Championship medalist. His resilience, speed, and passion have inspired a new generation of track athletes.
• Nicholas Bennett – A Paralympic swimming sensation, Nicholas Bennett has set records in the pool and inspired countless fans with his dedication, determination, and stellar achievements on the international stage.
• Diane Jones Konihowski – An icon in Canadian athletics, Diane Jones Konihowski is a former Olympic heptathlete and gold medalist at both the Pan American and Commonwealth Games. Her storied career has earned her a lasting legacy in the world of sports.
• Lyndon Rush – An Olympic medalist in bobsleigh, Lyndon Rush is known for his skill and leadership on the ice track. His achievements in the sport have solidified him as one of Canada’s most notable bobsleigh athletes.
• Rebecca Smith – A talented swimmer who represented Canada at the Olympic Games, Rebecca Smith has earned accolades in international competitions, showcasing her strength and perseverance in the pool.
• Reid Maxwell – An accomplished swimmer, Reid Maxwell proudly wore the Canadian colours this year at hist first Paralympic Games in Paris.
• Molly Simpson – A rising star in BMX racing, Molly Simpson has demonstrated her skill and fearlessness on the international circuit. She continues to break barriers in the sport and inspire young athletes across the nation.

Event Highlights: Fans will have the chance to interact with these incredible athletes through autographs, photos, and personal conversations. Attendees will also hear firsthand accounts of their experiences at the highest levels of competition, from the challenges they faced to the triumphs that defined their careers. This event is a rare opportunity to connect with athletes from a wide range of sports, all of whom have represented Canada on the world stage.

Event Details:
Date: September 30, 2024
Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Alberta Sports Hall of Fame
4200 Queen Elizabeth II Highway, Red Deer, AB

Tickets: There is no charge for the Meet & Greet and entry to the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame is included. Guests will also have the opportunity to explore the museum’s engaging exhibits, which showcase the incredible history of sports in Alberta and the achievements of its most prominent athletes.

About the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame:
The Alberta Sports Hall of Fame is a museum dedicated to preserving Alberta’s rich sporting history. With interactive exhibits and a wide collection of artifacts, the Hall of Fame honors the athletes, coaches, and teams that have contributed to the province’s vibrant sports culture. Through events like the Olympian Meet & Greet, the Hall of Fame continues to engage the public and celebrate the athletes who have brought pride to Alberta and Canada.