Alta. minister thanks convoys, says COVID-19 restrictions were 'about political control and power'
Kaycee Madu, Alberta's labour and immigration minister, ignited a firestorm Tuesday afternoon when he thanked "freedom convoys" for fighting against "tyrannical" federal COVID-19 restrictions that are soon to be loosened.
He added that Ottawa's vaccination rules regarding international travel were never "about science but about political control and power."
Kaycee Madu, Alberta's labour and immigration minister, ignited a firestorm Sept. 20, 2022, when he tweeted thanks to the "freedom convoys" for fighting against "tyrannical" federal COVID-19 restrictions.
The Alberta NDP called on Premier Jason Kenney to remove Madu from cabinet.
"Frankly, it's a new low for this minister," Justice Critic Irfan Sabir told CTV News Edmonton. "Essentially he is thanking Freedom Convoy people who were responsible for a whole lot of lawlessness in this country."
Sabir added: "These comments are way over the line. They're disrespectful to many, many Albertans who fell sick, who lost loved ones, who lost jobs and businesses."
Kenney declined to comment on his minister's gratitude to convoy participants, telling media on Wednesday he doesn't monitor Twitter and "if you want to hear Minister Madu's views, or clarification from him, I suggest you talk to him."
He did, however, side with Madu on federal public health measures, claiming in December during consultations with the premiers, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government needed "to be seen to be doing something."
"It's no secret our government has been consistently opposed to unnecessary federal travel restrictions, specifically the ones still in place that were implemented in December of last year. I told the prime minister directly, as did, I think, virtually all of the premiers, that there was no scientific rationale," Kenney recalled.
"It's been clear to me from the beginning that at least this latest round of travel restrictions were political and optical, not about reducing transmission."
Convoy protesters flooded the streets of Ottawa for several weeks and blocked international borders in Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario. Four men were charged with conspiracy to commit murder after they were arrested at the Alberta blockade in February.
"I believe the restrictions that were there federally were based on the advice the federal government was getting from their health experts," Sabir said.
Madu served as justice minister in Alberta until he was forced to take a "leave of absence" from the post in January. During a COVID-19 update on May 5, 2021, he said Albertans needed to follow provincial restrictions.
"It is my expectation that law enforcement and the crown prosecution service would deploy all tools available to them to ensure that the public health orders are enforced," Madu said, in a video shared Tuesday by journalist Catherine Griwkowsky.
CTV News Edmonton reached out to the premier's office about Madu's comments and also requested an interview with Madu.
'HE IS NOT GOING TO WIN HIS SEAT': BRATT
Madu's newest comments are "inflammatory," a Calgary-based political scientist said, adding his statement puts the UCP government in a tough spot after imposing their own COVID-19 rules.
"Did he support provincial COVID restrictions? Or were provincial COVID restrictions about science and not political control? Afterall, he was a member of that cabinet. He's still a member of that cabinet," Duane Bratt from Mount Royal University said.
Kenney suggested "provincial measures are of an entirely different nature because the provinces are responsible for the health-care system."
Madu has been a "lightning rod" for controversy since he was elected in Edmonton- South West in 2019, Bratt added.
In May 2021, Madu apologized for saying the opposition NDP and federal Liberals, along with the media, want the province's health-care system to collapse from the COVID-19 pandemic.
In February, a retired judge found that Madu tried to "interfere in the administration of justice" over a distracted driving ticket. Kenney removed him as justice minister and immediately appointed him as head of labour and immigration.
"He is not going to win his seat in Edmonton. The UCP is not going to win a seat in Edmonton," Bratt predicted.
Madu's comments could also hurt the UCP in other moderate Alberta ridings, believes political scientist Lori Williams.
"This is a very extreme position for Kaycee Madu to be taking and one that could jeopardize the future electoral fortunes of the UCP," she told CTV News Edmonton.
Madu publicly supports Danielle Smith in the ongoing UCP leadership race. She's promised to "prohibit lockdowns and vaccine discrimination."
"If Danielle Smith were to come to the premiership, (Madu) would be kept in cabinet and likely elevated. If Travis Toews, or let's say Rebecca Schulz, becomes the next premier then I think it's a harder thing to keep Kaycee Madu in cabinet," Williams said.
Online reaction to Madu's tweet was swift, and largely critical:
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW AI helping to identify undiagnosed genetic disorders in children
Researchers have developed the world's first algorithm powered by artificial intelligence to identify children with undiagnosed rare genetic disorders.
Toronto awarded WNBA's first franchise outside US, with expansion team set to begin play in 2026
Toronto has been awarded the WNBA's first franchise outside the United States, with the expansion team set to begin play in 2026.
With 10K providers offering care to 2M seniors, health minister defends dental plan
Canada's dental care plan is 'getting there' Health Minister Mark Holland said Wednesday defending the program's rollout that's now seen two million seniors sign up, but just 10,000 oral health providers enrolled to treat them.
'We'll need all hands on deck': Details emerge after deadly boat crash near Kingston, Ont.
Police say they have wrapped up their on-scene investigation into a deadly boat crash in eastern Ontario as details of the incident begin to emerge.
Charlie Colin, founding member of the pop-rock band Train, dies at 58
Charlie Colin, bassist and founding member of the American pop-rock band Train, best known for their early-aughts hits like 'Drops of Jupiter' and 'Meet Virginia,' has died. He was 58.
Robert Pickton to remain in medically induced coma until later this week: police
Serial killer Robert Pickton will remain in a medically induced coma for at least the next few days following an attack in a Quebec prison Sunday, according to police spokesperson Hugues Beaulieu.
'I feel betrayed': Ottawa-area customers out thousands of dollars warn of bad faith contractor
A group of people from eastern Ontario and western Quebec is issuing a warning about Dennis Walker and his company Vue Windows.
Fancy pigeon outfitted in custom diaper has free rein in B.C. family home
When Chrissy Chin volunteered to take in a fancy pigeon abandoned on a park bench, she never imagined she would one day be ordering custom-made diapers for the bird – who lives in her house and has become a member of the family.
WestJet planning new fare category for travellers willing to forgo carry-on bag
WestJet Airlines plans to launch a new cheaper fare category that would be available to travellers willing to fly without a carry-on bag.