Airdrie-Cochrane MLA Peter Guthrie recently took to social media to say it's time to end health restrictions as Alberta's health-care system continues to be overwhelmed with more than 1,300 COVID-19 patients in hospital (as of Jan. 24). One-hundred and 11 are in the ICU.
In a video published to his Facebook Jan. 26, Guthrie said showing proof of vaccines is not only a breach of health privacy but "leftist identity politics."
Guthrie said mandated vaccination passports are a "mechanism to make life so uncomfortable" for the unvaccinated "until they succumb, undermining choice."
"This is so wrong," he said. "Let's not keep acting like it's right."
Guthrie reminded viewers that he's been outspoken about the Restrictions Exemption Program (REP) and vaccine passports since they were first announced. He said they divide friends and families and hurt businesses' bottom lines and after two years of restrictions, it's time for Alberta to move on.
He said he personally hasn't been presented with any evidence that the QR codes and REP program have been effective at reducing the spread of COVID-19.
"The province's own data shows vaccinated Albertans continue to disproportionally account for new cases and hospitalizations," he said.
"Vaccine passports are the epitome of leftest identity politics," he said. "Removing them will come with outrage from the opposition and gaslighting from the media but it's the right thing to do."
He proposed a transition away from restrictions centre on creating normality for children "especially in schools," and eliminating the REP.
