After a massive increase in concern over a possible vaccine mandate, Alberta Health Minister Tyler Shandro has clarified the government’s current status on such a mandate.
Albertans have been asking more questions about proof of vaccination in recent days so we have posted answers to some of the most common questions online.
To be clear, the Alberta government has not and will not mandate a so-called ‘vaccine passport’ for domestic use. 2/8
— Tyler Shandro (@shandro) August 26, 2021
In a series of tweets, Shandro explains that while a vaccine mandate will not be enforced, the government has taken lengths to ensure that proof of vaccination is readily available, particularly if travelling.
According to Shandro, the need for proof of vaccination has arisen because “Other jurisdictions (provinces [and] countries]) may have different requirements which the Alberta [government] does not control.”
The Alberta government website is also steadfast in asserting that Alberta does not and has no plans to enforce a vaccine mandate.
“Albertans already receive proof of vaccination when they get their shot, be it from the Alberta Health Services, pharmacies, or a doctor,” Shandro says.
Shandro cites international travel as one such circumstance wherein proof of vaccination will almost definitely be needed.
The recent concern regarding a possible vaccine mandate being enforced or snuck in stems from the Alberta Medical Association (AMA) announcement earlier this week.
On August 24, the Alberta Medical Association (AMA) released the results of their Board of Directors meeting held on August 19. Following the meeting, the Board decided to table a proposal with the government and call for a vaccine mandate for all health care workers.
"I am writing to let you know about two decisions reached at a special meeting of the Board of Directors held on August 19.
– The AMA will table a proposal with government
– The AMA calls for mandatory vaccination for health care workers"Learn more:https://t.co/ixnlUcn6iL
— Alberta Medical Association (AMA) (@Albertadoctors) August 24, 2021
“The debate around advancing COVID vaccination continues,” Paul Boucher, President of the AMA, said in a statement. “The
AMA has taken a stance throughout the pandemic for strong public health
measures, and this includes vaccination. The Board believes that continued leadership is important. Accordingly, we are making a public call for mandatory vaccination of all health care workers.”
Boucher cites concerns regarding the fourth wave of COVID-19 and the emergence of more contagious vaccines. He also addresses the polarizing nature of such mandates and that many healthcare workers do not agree with his decision. Nonetheless, Boucher believes that vaccine mandates are “essential.”
“The Board and I felt that we should lend our voice to this important issue as vaccination remains our most effective tool to keep our vulnerable patients safe and our best path out of the pandemic,” Boucher concluded.
The decision comes in the wake of a large uptick in COVID case reporting in Alberta, with 1,972 new cases reported, as well as five deaths between Friday and Sunday. Twenty-eight percent of all cases were fully vaccinated individuals, while the remaining 72 percent were unvaccinated or partially vaccinated.
In addition to imposing the country’s most tyrannical lockdown yet, Quebec officially mandated vaccination for all health workers seven days ago, burning a path for other provinces to follow. Quebec Premier Francois Legault apparently thought this was necessary despite 91 percent of Quebec healthcare workers already having received one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Ontario is following suit, pausing the province’s reopening and announcing their vaccine mandate — though it is yet to be enforced — for all health and education workers and has said that some may need to receive the third dose.
Boucher’s decision is also in line with that of several businesses to begin enforcing vaccine mandates for staff and customers without a provincial or federal mandate.
On August 23, Scotiabank’s Saddledome, McMahon Stadium announced that all prospective attendees would need to be vaccinated to attend an event. The stadium happens to be where the Calgary Flames play their home games, and the team’s owners have announced that all fans, players, and staff will need to be vaccinated to attend.
CSEC will be implementing a COVID-19 vaccination policy that will require all fans (eligible to receive the vaccine), event staff and employees to be fully vaccinated for attendance at live events at the Scotiabank Saddledome and McMahon Stadium. https://t.co/cjhvmDFvGl
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) August 23, 2021
Meanwhile, those wishing to travel to B.C. will also require vaccination due to the province’s new policy, which will come into effect on September 13, 2021. This policy is, perhaps, stricter than Quebec’s, as B.C.’s Chief Public Health Officer Bonnie Henry has chosen to go with a no exemptions approach — though, he says restrictions on unvaccinated people’s freedom will be “temporary.”
Along with Atlantic Canada, Alberta seems to be behind in its vaccine enforcement but is quickly catching up.
At the time, The Counter Signal reached out to Shandro for comment. While a spokesperson for the minister did not comment on the decision by the AMA to pursue mandatory vaccination for health care workers, they did say that Alberta, as a province, is not currently seeking a vaccine mandate.
As of today, Shandro has provided some clarity regarding vaccine mandates. However, it is still uncertain whether the Alberta government plans on stepping in to prevent proof of vaccine requirements by businesses and some government institutions.
