Alberta adds hospitals, healthcare facilities to list of infrastructure protesters cannot block

EDMONTON – Alberta has added hospitals and healthcare facilities to the official list of infrastructure that protesters cannot block during demonstrations.

During Tuesday’s COVID-19 update, Premier Jason Kenney announced the changes to Bill 1, the Critical Infrastructure Defense Act, which will go into effect later this week.

“This act, passed by the legislature last year, provides essential infrastructure protection from damage or interference by creating offences for trespassing interfering with operations in construction and causing damage,” said Kenney.

WATCH: Dr. Deena Hinshaw is joined by Premier Jason Kenney, Health Minister Jason Copping and Justice Minister Kaycee Madu to provide an update on COVID-19 in Alberta.

Kenney says while Albertans have the right to protest, it can’t come at the expense of Albertans who need essential health care.

“It also must not impede the work of all the dedicated Albertans who provide that essential care to us and to our loved ones.”

The changes to Bill 1 come after several protests were held outside hospitals in Alberta earlier this month.

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Justice Minister Kaycee Madu echoed the premier’s comments, saying that while Albertans have the right to protest, with the province’s current situation, they had to step in.

“When exercising these opinions crosses the line into interfering with the ability of Albertans to access health care, and the ability of our healthcare professionals to provide it, often, in situations where every second counts, we must take action,” Madu said.

He adds this move isn’t about forbidding anyone’s constitutional rights, it’s about ensuring people who do protest, do not impede access to health care facilities.

“Healthcare professionals must have the ability to do their work, free from interference.”

Following Tuesday’s announcement, Kenney said the province will be launching a new advertising campaign to fight misinformation and help convince more Albertans to get vaccinated.

“The campaign will use facts to debunk common myths of the vaccine, and provide relevant information directly to Albertans. We want all Albertans to have access to this information,” said Kenney.

Kenney says pamphlets will be sent to every Albertan and the province will be running radio, digital, social media and billboard advertisements as well.

“We’re also developing specific advertisements to reach populations where we are seeing slower uptake in vaccination, including rural regions for Albertans in their 20s and 30s, and other particular communities as well.

“We’ll also be working with pharmacies and AHS to reach out to those who have gotten one dose but put off getting their second.”