2 Alberta MLAs call for return of unvaccinated students to post-secondary campuses
A pair of United Conservative Party MLAs penned a letter calling for the return of unvaccinated students to Alberta's post-secondary schools provided they test negative for COVID-19.
Nine of the province's largest post-secondary institutions currently have strict immunization policies in place where only staff and students who are fully vaccinated may attend on-campus classes and activities.
Thursday's letter signed by Peace River MLA Dan Williams and Deputy Government House Leader/Cardston-Siksika MLA Joseph Schow called for change.
"We have failed to see these institutions demonstrate how their students are any safer from COVID-19 than those on campuses that allow rapid testing instead of proof of vaccination," the letter read. "All post-secondary institutions in Alberta should remove their backward-thinking COVID-19 vaccine mandates."
Neither UCP MLA has responded to CTV News' requests for comment.
The letter, which is addressed to the premier, health minister and minister of advanced education, argues unvaccinated students are being denied the opportunity to receive a higher education.
"(Those students) have seen their education and employment opportunities vanish for making a personal health choice. How can we rise to the demands of a growing economy and the challenges of COVID-19 if unvaccinated students are not allowed to graduate and help build Alberta’s economic future?"
Both MLAs are backbenchers with notable pasts.
Williams was outspoken over the closure of Alberta churches during the pandemic. He made headlines after arguing the GraceLife building should not be "barricaded" after it was closed for repeatedly breaking public health restrictions.
When CTV News conducted a government poll regarding vaccinations, Williams refused to answer multiple requests regarding his immunization status.
Williams also brought forward a controversial motion to give Schow a raise just months after the Cardston-Siksika member was named deputy government house leader.
That $12,000 annual pay bump, which isn't typically associated with the role, brought criticism from the opposition NDP. The party argued the move went against a UCP campaign promise to reduce unnecessary spending.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.