Trudeau slams premiers of Alta. and Sask. for handling of 4th wave
Calling the fourth wave of COVID-19 "primarily of people who chose not to get vaccinated," Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau took aim at the premiers of Alberta and Saskatchewan while on the campaign trail Tuesday, saying they are not protecting residents or the economy.
Speaking to reporters in Richmond, B.C., Trudeau said he "feels bad" for people living in Alberta and Saskatchewan who have "done the right thing" and gotten vaccinated.
"Yes it's a lower number than elsewhere in the country as a proportion, but it's a still a majority of Albertans and Saskatchewanians who have gotten vaccinated," he said.
"And because of leadership that will not commit to keeping them safe in the right way, or protecting the economy the right way, they are facing greater risks because of cancelled surgeries, they are facing emergency public health restrictions that may have to be brought in."
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has said the province won't mandate the use of vaccine passports, something Trudeau has encouraged, and said Tuesday his government will pay for(a different form of proof of immunization).
"We are making it easier for (Alberta and Saskatchewan) to move forward with vaccine verification because we will foot the bill for that," said Trudeau.
"And I don't think any Albertan or Saskatchewanian looking at this election could possibly think that (Conservative Leader) Erin O'Toole, who can't even get his own candidates to get vaccinated, would do any better for them than their current premiers are, sitting across the table from Jason Kenney or Scott Moe."
Alberta has seen COVID-19 case numbers rise rapidly in recent weeks.
The province added 4,740 new cases between Friday and Sunday, increasing active infections to 18,395.
Alberta also reported 18 deaths.
A recent survey suggests the majority of Alberta businesses support the introduction of some sort of proof of vaccination system.
The poll was conducted by Leger — commissioned in part by the Calgary and Edmonton chambers of commerce — and shows 70 per cent of businesses and 74 per cent of the general population support vaccine certification.
Thirteen per cent of business and 12 per cent of the general population oppose it.
CTV Calgary has reached out to Kenney's office for comment. The Alberta premier cancelled an upcoming trip to northern Alberta and is meeting Tuesday with his caucus and cabinet members.
On Monday, Alberta Health said there were 803 COVID-19 patients in hospital, including 198 in ICU – a pandemic record.
More than 90 per cent of ICU admissions are not fully vaccinated.
After the province reported numbers that show its worsening situation, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw told doctors that restrictions were lifted too early.
On Tuesday, the provincial government said its printable card for proof of vaccination would become available on Thursday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ottawa public school board, 3 Toronto-area school boards launch lawsuit against social media giants
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and three school boards in the Toronto-area have launched legal action against social media giants, accusing them of "disrupting students' fundamental right to education."
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Donald Trump assails judge and his daughter after gag order in N.Y. hush-money criminal case
Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at the New York judge who put him under a gag order that bars him from commenting publicly about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his upcoming hush-money criminal trial.
A fight to protect the dignity of Michelangelo's David raises questions about freedom of expression
Michelangelo's David has been a towering figure in Italian culture since its completion in 1504. But in the current era of the quick buck, curators worry the marble statue's religious and political significance is being diminished.
Democrat who ran on abortion rights flips seat in deeply conservative Alabama
Marilyn Lands, who campaigned on abortion rights in deeply conservative Alabama, won a special election to the Alabama Legislature, in a victory that Democrats say illustrates voter backlash to extreme reproductive restrictions imposed by Republicans.