Alberta MLA Peter Guthrie delivered another set of impassioned remarks against vaccine passports, stating it creates a “poor precedent” for governments who entertain ‘unconstitutional’ policies.
In a member statement at the Alberta Legislature, he said the Select Special Public Health Act Review Committee commissioned to explore the outdated Public Health Act recommended removing the government’s ability to mandate vaccinations.
While Guthrie maintains his support for vaccinations as the path forward to overcoming COVID-19, he also iterates his unequivocal support for protecting a person’s right to choose in matters concerning their bodies and personal health.
In April, the Alberta government introduced Bill 66, the Public Health Amendment Act, to repeal sections of the controversial Bill 10, the Public Health (Emergency Powers) Amendment Act, 2020. The latter allowed the cabinet to make changes without the legislature’s approval, while the former removed their ability to legislate mandatory vaccinations.
Residents across the province expressed grave concerns that Bill 10 empowered government overreach during the pandemic. The government initially defended the bill as part of its mandate to keep public services operating during emergencies but ultimately clarified it would not enact the powers granted in the legislation to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations.
“A viewpoint shared by many Albertans is that we should have less government interference in our personal and business lives, not more. Creating legislation or supporting a policy that may be unconstitutional, and acting based upon societal views at any moment in time, even if one agrees with those views, sets a poor precedent and, in my opinion, has governments going down a slippery slope,” added Guthrie.
“This committee consulted with Albertans, and it was determined that this was not in the best interest of constituents as it did not reflect their values, and hence, the Health Act was amended to reflect those convictions,” he said. “We must be cognizant of this consultation as we navigate a very difficult time in our province’s history.”
But over the last few months, Guthrie admits that government organizations, institutions and businesses implement vaccination policies with termination due to non-compliance.
According to a Leger poll issued early September, 57 percent of Albertans “strongly support” mandating a vaccine passport, while 20 percent “somewhat support” and four percent “somewhat oppose.”
Only 20 percent of residents “strongly oppose” vaccine passports.
Another Leger poll issued in mid-September showed that 70 percent of businesses and 74 percent of the general population support vaccine passports while 13 percent of companies and 12 percent oppose it.
In his member statement, Guthrie reaffirms his support for the committee recommendations. He opposes any organization directing mandatory use of an active medical procedure, including vaccination, on the citizens of this province.
“We, as a governing body, stated countless times over almost two years that we would not mandate vaccination, so we should hold strong to that position,” he said.
Guthrie previously apologized to his constituents over the Alberta government’s push to legislate vaccine passports during the COVID-19 fourth wave. They introduced QR Codes as a reaction to increasing strain on the healthcare system. Without it, residents cannot access most businesses, venues, and services.
However, he maintained in September that vaccine passports would further divide Alberta and disparage the unvaccinated.
“Such a move suggests that the government’s position on this practice is shifting,” Guthrie continues, referring to Premier Jason Kenney’s flip flop.
“Various public opinions exist on the use of vaccine passports, but I am not convinced it is a good practice for domestic use as it not only limits access to services and isolates individuals, it also provides a false sense of security for those who are vaccinated — all of which increases the divisions we, unfortunately, see now,” he said
Guthrie also pointed to the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccinations as shaky at best — given existing data from places like Israel — with immunity from the vaccine falling after just six months. In September, he correctly predicted that governments would increase emphasis on booster shots.
