The Liberal MP for Brampton West Kamal Khera will resign from her position as parliamentary secretary for international development after travelling abroad during the holidays to attend a family member’s funeral.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Khera said she travelled to Seattle on December 23rd to attend the memorial service of her uncle. Khera returned on December 31st.
“Although the purpose of my travel is deemed essential given the circumstances, I have decided to step aside from my duties as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development in an effort to ensure my choices do not distract from the important work of our government to continue battling this pandemic,” Khera said in her statement.
Khera indicated that the funeral service was a private memorial of less than 10 people.
“I have and always will continue to follow all public health guidelines,” said Khera.
Khera made the trip abroad despite the Public Health Agency of Canada’s advice not to leave the country.
In March, the Brampton MP tested positive for coronavirus. Khera, a former nurse, registered to help ease nurse shortages amid the first wave of the pandemic.
Khera joins a long list of Canadian politicians who have violated their own coronavirus rules and advice.
