NDP Health and Long-Term Care Critic France Gélinas issued the following statement on today’s isolation of a VIA train in Foleyet, Ontario:

"I am relieved that there is no evidence of an outbreak of infectious disease. Foleyet is in my riding and obviously the situation alarmed local residents. This afternoon's announcement will put my constituents' minds at ease.

I do have concerns about what protocol was used to call for the isolation of the train. It appears even the province's Chief Medical Officer of Health doesn't know who called for the isolation.

Given previous outbreaks of infectious disease in Ontario, this is disconcerting. The public deserves reassurance that the protocols we have in place are effective. This incident does nothing to allay any questions we may have about the effectiveness of our preparedness for a future outbreak of infectious disease."