Alberta premier claims vaccine appointment demand surged post-passport program announcement
Premier Jason Kenney says vaccine appointment bookings nearly tripled after the province announced its vaccine passport program and additional public health safety measures.
The premier made the claim during a Thursday night Facebook Live event where he fielded preselected questions from the public.
Alberta will implement its own version of a proof-of-vaccination approach, which it's calling the restrictions exemption program, where individual businesses and events have the choice of requiring immunization upon entry or face restrictions.
Kenney said vaccine bookings nearly tripled from 9,400 to 25,000 in the day following Wednesday's announcement.
Still, he stressed the need for more unvaccinated people to roll up their sleeves saying Alberta's vaccine rate remains the lowest of all provinces.
"Most importantly get vaccinated. That is the solution. The solution should not (have to) be restrictions," said Kenney.
He said skeptics only need to look at the rising case numbers and the dire situation in Alberta hospitals for reasons to become immunized.
"The solution is right in front of us. It's free. It's called vaccines."
The introduction of Alberta's restrictions exemption program is an about face for the premier who previously stood steadfast against vaccine passports, but he says the program is now necessary following attempts to incentivize vaccinations through a $100 reward program and lotteries for immunized Albertans.
Alberta reported 1,718 new COVID-19 cases and 10 deaths on Thursday, bringing the death toll to approximately 2,500.
There are currently 896 patients in hospital in the province including 222 intensive care unit admissions. According to the province, 78 per cent of patients in hospital with COVID-19 cases are not fully vaccinated.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.