'They divide society': 3 Alberta MLAs call for end of vaccine passports
There are renewed calls from some provincial politicians to end Alberta's Restrictions Exemption Program (REP).
On Wednesday, Airdrie-Cochrane MLA Peter Guthrie posted a video on Facebook in which he expressed his view that vaccine passports are divisive, calling them the 'epitome of leftist identity politics.'
"Vaccine passports have serious side effects. For one, they divide society, pitting people against each other causing animosity, even amongst the closest of friends and family," said Guthrie. "It is counter to medical privacy, an area that was always, without question, previously protected."
Provincial data shows that the majority of Albertans who are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 are vaccinated, a fact Guthrie claimed to discredit immunization.
He made no mention of case-rate-per-100,000-people, a statistic that more accurately represents who is contracting the disease.
"Vaccinated Albertans continue to disproportionately account for new cases and hospitalizations," he said. "It is unnecessary to continue forcing policies that infringe on the rights and freedoms of Albertans with no demonstrable positive outcome."
The province's most recent data shows that unvaccinated Albertans make up just under 30 per cent of COVID-19 positive hospitalizations.
Unvaccinated individuals are much more likely to wind up in ICUs.
DISSENTING MLAS
Airdrie-East MLA Angela Pitt and Lac Ste. Anne-Parkland MLA Shane Getson did not post videos, but did publish similar sentiments.
"Let's keep the discussion going, and despite the rhetoric that will come from the numerous administrators, we can come up with a more efficient system that empowers the doctors and nurses to do what they do best," said Getson in a written post.
All three politicians have previously been critical of their government's pandemic health measures.
DATA SHOWS REP HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE
Roughly 74 per cent of Alberta's population has received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
That number was at 61 per cent in September when province's REP went into place.
Guthrie still argues it hasn't been an effective measure.
"In my view, vaccine passports are more about conforming to the norm than they are about health care. Vaccine passports are really a freedom negotiating tool," said Guthrie.
"They're a mechanism to make life so uncomfortable for people that they succumb."
DECISION COMING?
Other municipalities pulled back some health measures this month as cases begin to trend downwards.
"The premier's calculation on whatever his next move is going to be is going to be taking into account the views of MLAs in the party and the party faithful," political scientist Lisa Young told CTV News. "Internal party support is critically important to him. So he might be inclined to nod in the direction of those who have been critical of the government's public health responses."
Kenney has yet to hint at the future of the program.
REP REACTION
Many science and health experts warn the impact on hospitals could be huge if the unvaccinated are once again allowed to enter any and all establishments.
"Removing our Restrictions Exemption Program at this point in time, it's going to end up with more people being in hospital," infectious disease physician Dr. Daniel Gregson said.
But some business owners say it may be time to rethink the initiative.
"I believe it's time to put an end to these restrictions on hospitality," Jeff Jamieson with Proof Cocktail Bar said. "If you're willing to pay those consequences yourself, then it's fine by me and it should be fine by everybody."
The Alberta NDP is calling on Premier Jason Kenney to condemn the recent messages from the MLAs and stress the importance of vaccine uptake.
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.