Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is walking back comments she made Wednesday against mandatory COVID vaccinations for education workers.

“There are folks that are not going to get vaccinated and I don’t think the right thing to do is just to shut them out, I don’t take lightly people’s charter rights so that’s why what we’re saying is rapid tests or your vaccination status.”

But in a video statement a day later, she admits to making a mistake  and now fully supports mandatory vaccines in health care and education based on science and public health advice.

“I made a mistake suggesting a mandatory vaccine policy during a global pandemic should take a back seat to charter rights, I regret the comment, I was wrong,” said Horwath. “My fight and my focus must be on keeping people healthy and safe.”

Ontario Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca says his party is the only one with the courage to call for mandatory vaccinations for health care and education workers.

Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner says his party now supports mandatory vaccines for education workers after previously endorsing them for health care workers.

Doug Ford, whose daughter posted her anti-vax stance on social media, says his government is not considering making COVID vaccines mandatory saying it’s a constitutional right to decide to get one or not.

The premier also doesn’t support a proof-of-vaccination system that would allow people to access to certain activities.