NHLer Zac Rinaldo speaks out on vaccine passports at political rally (w/video)

A rally for the People's Party of Canada in Ontario this week included an appearance by NHLer Zac Rinaldo. The Hamilton native spoke out Thursday at a gathering of 300 PPC supporters in Gage Park against any type of passport that would limit anyone who doesn't have the COVID-19 vaccine from participating in non-essential activities.

"I'm not anti-vax, I'm not anti-mask. I'm pro choice," Rinaldo told the crowd at the rally.

Rinaldo, who is entering his 11th season in the NHL, said he'll be voting PPC in the upcoming Canadian federal election.

"I am solely voting for PPC because of these mandates," said Rinaldo. "They are going to get rid of these mandates."

"I'm not political," insisted Rinaldo. "I have zero political background. I play hockey, I take care of my kids, I just work hard, put my head down and go to work, that's what I do."

Rinaldo, who has a two year old and a four year old, said he's doing this for his kids.

"I want them to look back at this one day and see that their father was on the right side of history, not the wrong side of history."

Vaccine passports, which most Canadian provinces have or will be getting, have become a very divisive issue, with one side saying they should have a choice whether to take the COVID-19 vaccine, and the other saying things will never get back to normal unless vaccinations rates get up to 90 to 95 percent of the eligible population. The passports are for non-essential activities, such as going to restaurants, bars, gyms, indoor and outdoor festivals. It seems governments hope that by implementing the system, it will encourage more people to get vaccinated, which would reduce strains on hospitals around the country.

While not unheard of, it's not a common thing to see NHL players speak at political rallies. There's no doubt many of them have political leanings, but it's not often you see them made public. Rinaldo will be playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2021-22. The team just fired assistant coach Sylvain Lefebvre for refusing to get the COVID vaccine, with Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen saying Lefebvre wouldn't be able to properly fulfill his duties without it as he would not be allowed around players and would be restricted when it comes to travel.

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