COVID-19 vaccine policy for Arctic Winter Games not due to Alberta influence: official
An official with the Arctic Winter Games says its decision to revoke a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy for the upcoming event had nothing to do with pressure from the Alberta government, despite claims by the premier.
The Arctic Winter Games International Committee announced Nov. 18 it was dropping the vaccine requirement for attendees at the 2023 Games in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo in northeastern Alberta to "align with current public health advice."
Premier Danielle Smith recently told reporters during an unrelated press conference that the government had challenged the policy when the Games requested $1.2 million in support as an example of how she was "calling people" to stand up for the unvaccinated in the province.
"They were discriminating against the athletes, telling them they had to be vaccinated," she said. "So we asked them if they would reconsider their vaccination policy in the light of new evidence and they did. And I was pleased to see that."
But committee president John Rodda said he's not aware of the phone call Smith mentioned. He said three years ago, Alberta Sport Connection, which has since dissolved, granted $1.8 million to the Wood Buffalo host society.
"There was nothing contingent on any policy mandates," he said.
Rodda said the decision on the vaccine policy was based on advice from health officials and discussions with other sporting organizations.
"There was no other external influence that forced us to make a decision," he said. "We realize that things have changed and they've been relaxed and that's how we came to our conclusion."
The Games committee has said it supports any jurisdiction that wishes to enforce its own vaccine requirements and encourages protective measures like mask-wearing and sanitizing.
Smith's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
During her first day as premier last month, Smith made headlines when she said unvaccinated Canadians were the most discriminated against group she'd witnessed in her lifetime. She subsequently issued a statement saying she "did not intend to trivialize" the discrimination faced by minority communities and persecuted groups.
“We just want to remind people that in this province we do not discriminate against people for any reason and that now that we know a lot more about this virus that we would like them to address their policies and bring them up to speed with what the environment is here that we are trying to create, which is a welcoming environment," Smith said following her comments about the Arctic Winter Games.
The Games are a premier circumpolar sport and cultural event for youth that began in 1970 and are usually held every two years. Athletes from the Northwest Territories, Yukon, Nunavut, Alaska, Greenland, Nunavik in northern Quebec, and northern Alberta, as well as Indigenous Sami people of Norway, Sweden and Finland are to compete at the Games in Wood Buffalo from Jan. 29 to Feb. 4.
Athletes primarily range in ages from 10 to 19, depending on the category and sport, with young adults also competing in Arctic sports and Dene games.
The Games were cancelled in March 2020, just days before they were set to begin in Whitehorse, due to concerns with COVID-19. The Wood Buffalo event was originally scheduled to take place in March 2022 but it was postponed due to the pandemic. The Games in Mat-Su Valley, Alaska, have been set for March 2024.
"We're going back-to-back so there's quite a buzz," Rodda said. "There's more enthusiasm and excitement and energy where we're back doing what we all love to do and that is provide opportunities for northern youth."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 30, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Toronto Maple Leafs fire head coach Sheldon Keefe
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
'We can and we must do better': First ever Air Accessibility Summit hits Ottawa
Federal ministers, airline executives and members of the disability community are gathering in Ottawa today for the first ever Air Accessibility Summit.