UPC MLA says he's `deeply apologetic' over COVID inaction
Gotfried says he tried to convince caucus to act sooner amid `clear warning' signs
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney is facing criticism from within his own caucus over mounting hospitalizations and new COVID-19 measures.
Richard Gotfried, UCP MLA for Calgary-fish Creek, said Wednesday he is “deeply apologetic” that he failed to convince the government to announce stronger public health restrictions sooner.
“Nothing was done while we lacked any leadership at the helm. It will cost us lives and I am gutted by the lack of responsiveness to unequivocal advocacy and clear warning signals,” he wrote replying to questions posted on Facebook.
“I am frustrated, embarrassed and angry that such defensible measures weren't taken 30 days ago,” he said in another comment, adding that he had advocated for strong measures behind the scenes since July 28. “I am deeply apologetic that my persistent efforts and unequivocal internal advocacy have now proven to have lacked the required urgency.”
Harrison Fleming, Kenney's press secretary, dismissed Gotfried's claims of inaction Thursday.
“The Government has consistently responded when evidence, analysis, and recommendations are brought forward by expert health officials, including (Chief Medical Officer of Health) Dr. Hinshaw,” he said in an email.
Gotfried's comments came after Kenney announced sweeping new restrictions and a vaccine passport Wednesday — two things the premier previously said he wouldn't do. The measures include restrictions on indoor gatherings, businesses
and events, with an option for businesses like restaurants and gyms to avoid restrictions if they require patrons to show proof of vaccination or a negative test.
In another comment, Gotfried said “the words `never,' `passport' and `open for good' may go down in embarrassment and infamy.”
Declaring a state of public health emergency and announcing a vaccine passport Wednesday, Kenney said he didn't have a choice but to implement the measures because the province could run out of intensive care beds and staff to manage COVID -19 patients within the next 10 days. He also apologized for moving from a pandemic to an endemic approach prematurely, but defended the decision to reopen for the summer beginning July 1, saying the government had good reasons to be optimistic.
“I don't apologize for not maintaining lockdown-style policies permanently, but I do apologize for having predicted that we could be open for good when clearly the Delta variant and the behaviour patterns that we are now seeing are posing a threat to our healthcare system,” said Kenney.
The premier has faced public criticism from his own caucus members before, particularly those opposed to restrictions and vaccine mandates.
In a Wednesday joint statement, former UCP MLAS Todd Loewen and Drew Barnes, now sitting as Independents, again called for Kenney's resignation.
“Inconsistent and negligent management of the pandemic has destroyed public trust. For the good of the province, the premier must immediately resign so that public trust can be restored,” the statement said.
On Thursday, the province reported 1,718 new COVID-19 cases — the highest number in the fourth wave, along with 896 patients in hospital, of which 222 are in intensive care.
At a news conference, NDP Opposition leader Rachel Notley accused Kenney's UCP government of being “unforgivably late” to act, and all 60 of the party's MLAS of “sitting on their hands” when they knew the details of the approaching health-care crisis — including Gotfried.
“Although I think this is some revisionist history designed to protect (Gotfried's) own position within his seat, I think it's also somewhat revealing the admission that we see there — that there was weeks and weeks of inaction, and the direct consequence of that is lives lost in Alberta,” said Notley.
Duane Bratt, political scientist at Mount Royal University, said Thursday the government announcement follows a pattern from the UCP, following the first wave, to introduce overly complicated measures later than it should.
“The right is unhappy, the left is unhappy, the centre is unhappy. Once again, he has united Albertans,” said Bratt, who also said Gotfried's comments send a clear message of disapproval to the Premier's office. Bratt said he doesn't see how Kenney can recover from the political fallout.
“He will not win re-election, either because he's not running, or he gets defeated,” said Bratt.
Days before Canadians head to the polls on Monday, federal leaders campaigning across the country Thursday were pressed to assign blame for Alberta's COVID -19 crisis.
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau said the federal government has offered support, including to send ventilators and help mobilize health care workers to Alberta.
“The choices that leaders make in a crisis matter. Half-measures won't do to fight this pandemic,” he said, noting Conservative Party of Canada Leader Erin O'toole recently applauded aspects of Alberta's early approach.
O'toole, however, dodged questions from reporters about what he thinks of Kenney's handling of the pandemic.
“As Prime Minister I will work with all premiers, regardless of stripe, to fight against the pandemic,” said O'toole, who again criticized Trudeau for calling the election during the pandemic fourth wave.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said there is “no question that Mr. Kenney is to blame here, and that his leadership has been horrible,” but also questioned the timing of Trudeau's election call.