'People are furious that it took so long': Alberta mayors react to latest COVID-19 measures
Less than 24 hours after Jason Kenney's Alberta government announced new restrictions aimed at easing the burden on the province's health-care system, municipal leaders are trying to gain clarity on what the new rules will mean for their jurisdictions.
The new measures announced by the province on Wednesday include a proof of vaccination system, one that the government stopped short of calling a "vaccine passport."
"It’s my own personal frustration," St. Albert Mayor Cathy Heron said during a special council meeting on Thursday. "If the province had just said 'passport program across Alberta, any non-essential by Monday,' then we wouldn’t even be having this meeting today."
The City of St. Albert will be opting in to the province's Restrictions Exemption Program that is set to take effect on Monday, but is still waiting for the new provincial rules to be officially put into writing.
"By imposing this small restriction on our citizens, we open up civic facilities for their use as widely as possible," said St. Albert Coun. Wes Brodhead.
Meanwhile, just south of St. Albert, Edmonton's mayor had strong language to share on the provincial government's recent decision making.
"I think the performance of the Government of Alberta speaks for itself at this point," Mayor Don Iveson told reporters. "As an Albertan I’m disappointed."
Edmonton's mayor said an earlier implementation of vaccine passports in Alberta would have driven vaccination rates higher. Iveson called the recent loss of life in the province "avoidable" had more measures been taken sooner.
"I think people are furious that it took so long," he said. "That's what I'm hearing from Edmontonians and I share that feeling."
"Waiting for it to be a bad enough crisis that people will take it seriously is the sort of repeated pattern of weak leadership that we've seen on this in Alberta. And it's a pattern that's disrupted a lot of business, created a lot of heartache, put a tremendous stress on our health-care system, and damaged our economy."
Iveson called the province's wording on proof of vaccination "gymnastics," and said the Restrictions Exemption Program will result in added responsibilities for small businesses and cities alike.
"The un-passport, such as it is, at least gives us a consistent tool for people to substantiate their status," he said.
"But it represents a huge download on organizations like the City of Edmonton and particularly small businesses to now have to administer this and opt in, versus the other jurisdictions that have just taken a clear, consistent and equitable approach."
In Alberta's other major city, Iveson's counterpart was also critical of the Kenney government on Thursday.
Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi expressed concerns over the murky provincial guidance on enforcement of the new restrictions.
"We can enforce the masks, but we can’t enforce the gathering size," said Nenshi.
Right now, Calgary peace officers cannot help police or provincial inspectors with enforcing the new restrictions.
"We're still waiting on more clarity on the orders themselves and what the mechanisms for enforcement will be," Iveson told CTV News Edmonton. "(The provincial government has) got some work to do to clarify all of that because there is some confusion today."
Still, Iveson did give the province some credit, saying the new measures are better late than never.
"At least it's something," he said. "It's better than where we were yesterday."
Members of Strathcona County council will discuss the implications of the new provincial restrictions on its public facilities on Friday.
Thursday afternoon, Strathcona County Mayor Rod Frank tweeted: "As a result of provincial announcement, we must decide if our facilities will be at one-third capacity with restrictions, or to implement vaccine passports (Restriction Exemption Program)."
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Jeremy Thompson
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires air defence batteries in provinces as explosions heard near Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning as explosions could be heard near a major air base near Isfahan, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike following Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.