Alberta Human Rights Commission sees spike in calls during pandemic
The Alberta Human Rights Commission says it has been experiencing a significant increase in calls from the public, with many complaining about mandatory vaccination and masking rules.
On average, the commission says it is receiving 80 calls a day. That number is up compared to last year when the average was around 30 calls per day.
Deborah Mebude, policy and communication consultant for the commission, says the commission has received 200 COVID-19-related complaints since the start of the pandemic and more than half of those are related to mask wearing.
The number of calls has fluctuated throughout the pandemic, but the commission has seen a spike again in the last five weeks. It says approximately 60 per cent of recent callers have vaccine-related questions.
The exact number of complaints submitted about vaccines specifically is unknown, as they are still being processed, but the commission says not all complaints are accepted.
The commission confirms 'personal choice' is not a ground covered under the Alberta Human Rights Commission. Grounds covered under the act include race, gender, physical disability, mental disability, age, and sexual orientation.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
World's record-breaking hot temperature streak stretches through April
The world just experienced its hottest April on record, extending an 11-month streak in which every month set a temperature record, the European Union's climate change monitoring service said on Wednesday.
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.