'That is completely untrue': Nenshi accuses Foothills County reeve of spreading COVID-19 'lies'
Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi gave one of his regional counterparts a verbal smackdown during an online meeting last week, accusing her of spreading "lies" about COVID-19 and vaccines.
During a discussion on COVID-19 measures during a Calgary Metropolitan Region Board meeting on Sept. 17, Reeve Suzanne Oel -- who represents District 4 in Foothills County – stated that vaccine trials were only done on animals before being approved for human use.
Saying she was "certainly taking this risk making this statement," Oel shared what she called "a very heart-felt message which considers the diverse views of our residents."
"Many residents are opposed to the 'vaxport' and to the mandating of these rules coming forward here and what I see is the creation of Apartheid society and turning our citizens against each other," she said.
"Some people believe that the vaccine will protect them, others disagree. A note is that the experimental vaccine does not prevent infection or transmission, safety trials have not been completed. Many serious instances of adverse effects are showing up."
Board chair Greg Clark then said COVID-19 is a "hot topic" and "emotional" and encouraged members to "stick to facts," noting the aim of the meeting wasn't to "necessarily debate the merits of medical science but to find ways to promote wellbeing for residents and provide feedback to the province."
Oel then claimed vaccines were only tested on animals before being approved for use in humans, which raised the ire of Nenshi.
"I'm sorry … what she has said is 1,000 per cent false and this is not a place for us to abide by those extremist views that are putting people in danger," he interjected.
"I was with an ICU nurse yesterday, people are dying every day. Yes, we have to have a diversity of views, we don't have diversity of BS like that. That is completely untrue and saying things like that puts people at risk and you should be ashamed of yourself.
"Saying it was only tested on animals is a lie."
Each of the four COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in Canada have undergone clinical trials involving thousands of participants before being subjected to independent review by Health Canada.
Figures released by Alberta Health Services on Friday show the numbers of cases per 100,000 population are dramatically higher in rural areas than urban centres, including:
- Calgary zone: 303.64;
- Edmonton zone: 384.87;
- Central zone: 782.79;
- South zone: 699.60, and;
- North zone: 792.19.
Alberta reported 1,651 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, with 1,061 people in hospital and 243 in ICU.
Eleven new deaths were also reported.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
BREAKING Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Metro Vancouver mayors call for serial killer Robert Pickton to be denied parole
A dozen mayors from around Metro Vancouver say federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani should deny parole for notorious B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, and reassess the parole and sentencing system for 'prolific offenders and mass murderers.'
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
2 military horses that broke free and ran loose across London are in serious condition
Two military horses that bolted and ran miles through the streets of London after being spooked by construction noise and tossing their riders were in a serious condition and required operations, a British government official said Thursday.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.