Letter linked to UCP MLA asks government to stop Alberta employers from mandating vaccines
As more and more Canadian companies and municipalities announce stringent vaccination policies, one Alberta MLA appears to be asking the province to go in the opposite direction.
A letter obtained by CTV News recommends the UCP government ban employers from enacting mandatory immunization in their own businesses.
The letter has an email signature from Airdrie-East MLA Angela Pitt.
It asks the party put forth "legislation that prohibits discrimination based on private, personal health records," citing the potential "segregation of our society."
The letter refers to "deeply divisive" decisions to implement vaccination requirements for staff members in the Town of Banff and at Calgary Flames hockey games.
CTV News has attempted to verify the legitimacy of the letter through multiple phone calls, emails and visits to Pitt's Airdrie office.
The UCP caucus was also contacted to either confirm or deny that the letter was sent by Pitt.
A staffer at Pitt's office was repeatedly asked the same question.
Neither party would comment.
"It is troubling that we continue to have members of the government caucus that are going against the science and against the public health recommendations," said NDP MLA David Shepherd.
"I certainly support folks that are looking to create a safe workplace for their employees, and we know that vaccination is the safest and most effective way."
The letter comes the same week as a lengthy Twitter thread from Health Minister Tyler Shandro, which reminded constituents that the "government has not and will not mandate a so-called ‘vaccine passport’ for domestic use."
The Alberta Government website says those private vaccine decisions made by businesses and municipalities "may be subject to legal challenges by individual Albertans."
Pitt previously made headlines for speaking out against her government's pandemic health restrictions.
In April, she urged Albertans to do their own research before receiving the vaccine. Pitt later said she would get vaccinated.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Leafs star Auston Matthews finishes season with 69 goals
Auston Matthews won't be joining the NHL's 70-goal club this season.
Trump lawyers say Stormy Daniels refused subpoena outside a Brooklyn bar, papers left 'at her feet'
Donald Trump's legal team says it tried serving Stormy Daniels a subpoena as she arrived for an event at a bar in Brooklyn last month, but the porn actor, who is expected to be a witness at the former president's criminal trial, refused to take it and walked away.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Doug Ford calls on Ontario Speaker to reverse Queen's Park keffiyeh ban
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Speaker Ted Arnott to reverse a ban on keffiyehs at Queen's Park, describing the move as “needlessly” divisive.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.