Linamar CEO resigns from vaccine task force over overseas travel

The CEO of Linamar Corporation – an auto-parts manufacturer based in Guelph, Ont. – has relinquished her position on the provincial task force set up to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine following an overseas trip.

“Today, Premier Ford accepted the resignation of Linda Hasenfratz as a member of Ontario’s COVID-19 Vaccination Distribution Task Force after it was brought to his attention that she travelled outside the country in December,” according to a statement from the premier’s office.

The global auto-parts maker was founded by her father, Frank Hasenfratz.

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In a statement, she said she regretted her decision to travel over the holidays and had apologized to Ford as well as retired general Rick Hillier, who is heading Ontario’s vaccination efforts, and the other members of the task force.

“After speaking with General (Ret.) Rick Hillier and Premier Doug Ford this afternoon, I have made the difficult decision to step aside from Ontario’s COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force,” Hasenfratz said.

“I would like to continue my work in advising on effective rollout of the vaccination program, but I would not want my continued participation to cause distraction from the excellent work the task force is undertaking at this critical time,” she continued.

“While it is true that I travelled outside the country over the holidays, I followed all pandemic protocols of both countries and remain in quarantine today as public health guidelines require,” said Hasenfratz.

(Toronto Star)