People’s Party Leader Maxime Bernier attends 3 Manitoba rallies, doesn’t quarantine upon entering province

Bernier says he chose not to get COVID-19 vaccine, a requirement for skipping mandatory quarantine for travel

People’s Party of Canada Leader Maxime Bernier says he violated Manitoba’s quarantine requirements for people not vaccinated against COVID-19 because he believes the rule is unconstitutional.

Bernier, who said he decided not to get the COVID-19 vaccine, returned to Manitoba on Monday for the first time since he was arrested by RCMP in June at a rally against public health orders in St-Pierre-Jolys.

“These orders are unconstitutional and immoral, and I will always fight for my freedom, the freedom of all Canadians,” Bernier said in an interview with CBC News.

Current public health orders state anyone entering Manitoba must self-isolate for 14 days, although people fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and some essential workers are exempt.

On Monday, Bernier attended a rally in Steinbach, Man., followed by events on a private farm near Schanzenfeld and in Winnipeg. About 1,000 people turned up to the last rally at The Forks in Winnipeg.

In June, Bernier was charged under the Public Health Act for assembling in a gathering at an outdoor public place and for failing to self-isolate once he got to Manitoba.