When to review Alberta's COVID-19 response? Opposition and government differ on timeline
The government and opposition exchanged opinions on when a review into the pandemic response should take place during the first day of the Alberta legislature’s fall sitting.
The NDP wanted to create a non-partisan committee on Monday with representation from all caucuses to publically hold hearings to gather evidence, ensure public servants and public staff testified, and receive input from public health experts and workers.
Christina Gray, opposition house leader, introduced the request and said a committee would allow for a full inquiry into the pandemic and government responses.
“(This) would provide answers and lessons learned across the province, to bring justice and transparency for all Albertans,” Gray said.
In the Official Opposition’s view, hosting a special COVID-19 debate or giving time during question period to address concerns with the pandemic’s handling is not enough. For Gray, they only allow the government to present “canned rhetoric” and “not real answers.”
“Debate in this house, should not, and does not, and cannot be a replacement for the accountability and transparency a committee review process would be able to provide,” Gray said.
The request, requiring unanimous consent, failed.
Jason Nixon, government house leader, said the legislature needs to have a conversation about COVID-19, but called the committee a “blind partisan” maneuver.
“What they are asking for is extremely unreasonable in the middle of the fourth wave,” Nixon said.
In his view, the focus at this time should remain on dealing with the pandemic and a committee would take health care professionals' time and effort away from helping Albertans.
Nixon reassured the opposition that the premier and health minister have “committed” to a “significant review” of the entire pandemic, with details to be released at a later time.
“There will be a full review,” the government house leader said. “Albertans deserve that, members on my side of the aisle want to see that happen, and we will ensure that that happens.
“But not in an NDP partisan way,” he added, “that will take resources away from people right now that need it inside hospitals.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.