COVID-19 crisis of Premier Kenney’s own making: Notley

EDMONTON – Alberta Opposition NDP Leader Rachel Notley is joining the many people calling out Premier Jason Kenney and his government for their handling of the COVID-19 crisis.

She released a statement after Kenney announced on Sept. 15 the province would implement a proof-of-vaccination system and reinstate several measures.

READ MORE: Alberta adopts proof-of-vaccination program for certain services, reinstates strict public health measures

In it, Notley called the COVID-19 crisis plaguing Alberta “a crisis of the premier’s own making.”

“Neither he nor Dr. Hinshaw explained why they have failed to act for weeks when it was obvious something had to be done. And while in one short breath he offered an apology, in many others, he made even more excuses, he talked up his own record, and even when given a second chance to apologize, he claimed his decision to push Alberta faster and harder than the rest of Canada was not at the heart of the crisis we face today,” she said.

Notley said Kenney has refused to take responsibility for ignoring the evidence.

The Alberta NDP leader then remarked on Kenney’s apology.

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“What we saw from the premier was not an apology. It was an embarrassing attempt to duck responsibility. Jason Kenney and the UCP were unforgivably late to act and now all Albertans will pay the price for their cowardice.”

Notley pleaded with residents to continue coming together and urged them to follow the rules for fellow Albertans.

She said Albertans must get case numbers down to protect the health care system from “imminent collapse.”

“I want to talk to Albertans about the hundreds upon hundreds of people who are awaiting critical medical procedures who are scared, who are angry, and who tonight heard they may have to get their procedures in other provinces: these are the people we need to come together for. We need to follow these rules for them.”

RELATED: COVID-related deaths surge in Alberta as hospitalizations continue climb

As of Sept. 15, Alberta has 18,421 active cases of COVID-19, which is the most in Canada, and a test positivity rate of 11.52 per cent.

Over 875 Albertans are receiving treatment in hospital, including 269 in intensive care.

The death toll stands at 2,495.