Barnes opposes vaxx mandate for RCMP
MLA Drew Barnes intends to call on the province to oppose a federal vaccination mandate for RCMP officers.
Barnes, the independent
MLA for Cypress-Medicine
Hat, made the notice of motion Oct. 25 as the legislature resumed for the fall sitting.
It asked the legislature to approve a statement of support for the National Police
Federation, the union representing RCMP officers and staff, which Barnes says is opposing a blanket vaccine requirement or have there members face suspension.
“There will be dire consequences for rural Albertans if a plan is not put into place soon,” Barnes stated while making a unsuccessful request to hold an emergency debate on the issue.
The union told The Canadian Press on Oct. 8 it expected to have discussions with the government before the requirement was announced, and signalled it would support its members “as needed and appropriate on an individual basis.”
Ottawa will require core federal public servants, including Mounties, to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 15, or face suspension without pay.
Last week a group calling itself “Mounties for Freedom” published an open letter to RCMP commissioner Brenda Lucki describing the mandate as coercion.
The group also claims to have 48,000 signatures of support to the letter, but that is unverified. The size of the RCMP workforce is about 20,000 officers and 10,000 civilian employees.
A video message from senior RCMP officials asks employees to consider the vaccine as necessary personal safety equipment, like a bullet-proof vest or seatbelts.