Airdrie-East MLA accused of 'undermining Alberta's vaccination efforts' with social media posts
The Facebook page of Airdrie-East MLA Angela Pitt was updated Wednesday night with an image championing freedom of vaccination choice. Now, the NDP is calling for her removal from caucus.
The image, which was posted without comment nor credit to a photographer, appears to be from an anti-vaccine card rally held in Nakusp, B.C. on Sept. 1.
The photo shows two people walking hand-in-hand while wearing sandwich boards indicating the fact one had been vaccinated while the other had not been immunized. Both signs included the phrase 'together we stand for choice'.
There is no indication that the UCP MLA attended the rally that occurred on the same day as Alberta's 116th birthday, an occasion Pitt noted and celebrated on her Facebook page.
Vaccines are not mandated in Alberta, but select businesses have announced their plans to only serve only fully vaccinated clientele. The list of organizations include professional sports teams, restaurants and pubs.
Under Premier Jason Kenney, the UCP government has been strongly encouraging every eligible Alberta to be vaccinated, though it removed mandatory vaccination from provincial legislation. However, key employers in the province, including Alberta Health Services and WestJet, have now mandated vaccines for its workers.
In the spring, Pitt posted on social media she intended to be vaccinated.
CTV News has requested comment from Pitt regarding the Facebook photo, but as of early Friday afternoon, she has not responded.
David Shepherd, the NDP critic for health, is calling for Pitt's removal from the government caucus for "undermining Alberta's vaccination efforts on social media."
Pitt is not the lone Airdrie-area UCP MLA to make social media posts that appear to be at odds with government policy.
Earlier this week, Airdrie-Cochrane MLA Peter Guthrie issued an apology letter to his constituents where he apologized for the province's reintroduction of public health restrictions after the provincial government declared earlier this summer that Alberta would be 'Open for Summer' and 'Open for Good'.
In his letter, Guthrie accused the province of taking a "disparaging and accusatory tone" toward Albertans who elected not to be vaccinated for whatever reason. Guthrie confirms he has been immunized but supports the right of individuals to choose.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
Katy Perry's mom was fooled by AI images of the singer at the Met Gala
Katy Perry did not attend the Met Gala on Monday, but some of the singer’s fans – and even her mom – thought she did.