NDP attempt to ensure Alberta MLAs are vaccinated quashed at committee
An attempt to change Alberta’s legislature rules for COVID-19 vaccination by the official opposition to ensure every MLA is vaccinated was squashed by the UCP at a special committee meeting Monday.
On Monday, the NDP proposed at the legislature’s standing committee on members’ services that only proof of vaccination – in the form of the QR code vaccine passport – or medical exemption would need to be shown to gain entry to the chamber.
Under this proposed motion, brought forward by NDP MLA for Edmonton-South West Thomas Dang, the option to provide a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours would be eliminated.
House Leader Jason Nixon said on Oct. 5 that members of the legislative assembly have until Oct. 25 to get vaccinated or present a negative COVID-19 test every three days.
For Dang, ensuring every MLA was vaccinated would not only guarantee the legislature could continue to meet safely but send a signal to Albertans about the importance of being vaccinated.
“Members of the government should agree that we need to continue to lead by example, particularly so in such significant situations as this public health emergency,” Dang said.
“We’ve seen across this province businesses implement vaccine passport programs,” he added. “Here’s an opportunity for the government to actually lead by example.”
The NDP motion was defeated 5 to 4, with votes falling along party lines.
Jeremy Nixon, UCP MLA for Calgary-Klein, said the proposed NDP policy would create “a double standard” since under the Restrictions Exemption Program, negative test results are acceptable.
Additionally, Nixon said he thought the motion was problematic since it would restrict members of the legislature from accessing the chamber.
“Members are duly elected by their constituents to be in that chamber to be able to represent those constituents and vote,” Nixon added.
“For us to be putting forward a motion that would potentially restrict members from accessing the chamber because of their personal health decisions is quite concerning.”
In response, Dang said a vaccine-proof policy would be no different than other standing orders of the legislature like if a male member of the assembly was not wearing a tie they would be denied access to sit in the chamber.
Jasvir Deol, NDP MLA for Edmonton Mill Woods, added that if the government was serious about increasing vaccine uptake then it should have its own members be vaccinated and use the proof of vaccine system.
“This is simple,” he said. “By opposing this motion, the government is obviously once again demonstrating the mixed messaging that has been quite damaging to the province.”
The UCP previously said all their MLAs except for one have had at least a first dose of vaccine. The New Democrats have said all members of its caucus are vaccinated.
Nathan Neudorf, UCP MLA for Lethbridge-East, suggested the NDP motion goes above and beyond what Albertans are being expected to follow.
Neudorf added the current legislature COVID-19 vaccine policy is ideal since it provides several options, including showing negative test results, medical exemption, or proof of vaccination.
For him, that keeps MLAs and their staff safe “in a free and democratic way.”
“We do want consistency of regulation, we do want consistency of message to the people of Alberta which is,” he said, “that they can be double vaccinated and show that proof of vaccination or have a negative COVID test within 72 hours.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Case against ex-Mountie charged with helping China can go ahead in Quebec, judge says
A Quebec court judge has ruled that the case against a former RCMP officer charged with helping China conduct foreign interference can go ahead in the province.
Steve Albini, legendary producer for Nirvana, the Pixies and an alternative rock pioneer, dies at 61
Steve Albini, an alternative rock pioneer and legendary producer who shaped the musical landscape through his work with Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey and more, has died. He was 61.
Ippei Mizuhara, ex-interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, pleads guilty in sports betting case
The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud Wednesday in a sports betting case where prosecutors allege he stole US$16 million from the Japanese baseball player to pay off debts.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.