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
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.
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.
'Five feet nothing': Pickton's safety likely behind Quebec transfer, says ex-prison judge
When serial killer Robert Pickton was transferred from British Columbia's Kent Institution to a maximum security prison in Quebec about six years ago, correctional authorities gave no public explanation or confirmation at the time, citing privacy.
'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.
'We'll need all hands on deck': Details emerge after deadly boat crash near Kingston
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.
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.
5 dead and at least 35 hurt in Iowa tornado: officials
Five people died and at least 35 were hurt as powerful tornadoes ripped through Iowa Tuesday, with one carving a path of destruction through the town of Greenfield, officials said.
Woman found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017 matches identity of missing person in Switzerland
Genetic genealogy has helped Toronto police identify a woman who was found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017.