UCP leadership candidate Todd Loewen says he would move away from lockdowns, restrictions, and vaccine mandates, if elected premier..The Independent MLA made the comments on Monday’s episode of Triggered with Cory Morgan..The restrictions weren’t effective and damaged Albertans’ lives, Loewen said. .“We need to move completely away from those,” he said. .In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Alberta, like all other Canadian provinces, underwent a series of lockdowns to limit human contact and curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. The lockdowns closed churches, shopping malls, and restaurants. For a period of time, only those who could provide proof of vaccination were allowed to eat in restaurants. .Loewen was booted from the UCP caucus for publicly criticizing Premier Jason Kenney’s COVID-19 policies. Last month, Kenney cited the public's lasting anger over his COVID policy as a reason for announcing his resignation, which will occur when a new premier is elected. .Loewen said healthcare workers in particular were treated “inhumanely.” They were called heroes throughout the pandemic, but those that refused the COVID-19 vaccine were fired before quickly being re-hired. .Prior to the pandemic, labour legislation would never have allowed such treatment of healthcare workers, he said. .“This is just unacceptable,” Loewen said. “We can't live in a society where this [is] done.”.Loewen has already introduced a private member’s bill in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta — Bill 302 — which would stipulate that health orders and emergency acts must be debated in the legislature at the earliest opportunity. Health orders the legislature doesn’t adopt will immediately be killed. .The proposed legislation provides accountability so the people’s representatives have a say, rather than unelected health officials being able to dictate health orders..“MLAs have no say and no vote in the legislature as far as any of the pandemic responses,” Loewen said..The legislature is currently on summer recess and proceedings will resume in September. .READ MORE: UCP leadership candidate Danielle Smith promises no more lockdowns.Rival UCP leadership candidate Danielle Smith has also been critical of COVID-19 policy. She's promised never to lockdown Alberta again if elected premier..Smith said she thinks the federal government will seek to reintroduce COVID-19 restrictions this fall — and that Alberta must be prepared to resist pressure to do the same..READ MORE: Smith says Alberta must choose a different path should Ottawa reintroduce COVID restrictions this fall.UCP members will elect a new leader and premier on October 6.
UCP leadership candidate Todd Loewen says he would move away from lockdowns, restrictions, and vaccine mandates, if elected premier..The Independent MLA made the comments on Monday’s episode of Triggered with Cory Morgan..The restrictions weren’t effective and damaged Albertans’ lives, Loewen said. .“We need to move completely away from those,” he said. .In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Alberta, like all other Canadian provinces, underwent a series of lockdowns to limit human contact and curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. The lockdowns closed churches, shopping malls, and restaurants. For a period of time, only those who could provide proof of vaccination were allowed to eat in restaurants. .Loewen was booted from the UCP caucus for publicly criticizing Premier Jason Kenney’s COVID-19 policies. Last month, Kenney cited the public's lasting anger over his COVID policy as a reason for announcing his resignation, which will occur when a new premier is elected. .Loewen said healthcare workers in particular were treated “inhumanely.” They were called heroes throughout the pandemic, but those that refused the COVID-19 vaccine were fired before quickly being re-hired. .Prior to the pandemic, labour legislation would never have allowed such treatment of healthcare workers, he said. .“This is just unacceptable,” Loewen said. “We can't live in a society where this [is] done.”.Loewen has already introduced a private member’s bill in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta — Bill 302 — which would stipulate that health orders and emergency acts must be debated in the legislature at the earliest opportunity. Health orders the legislature doesn’t adopt will immediately be killed. .The proposed legislation provides accountability so the people’s representatives have a say, rather than unelected health officials being able to dictate health orders..“MLAs have no say and no vote in the legislature as far as any of the pandemic responses,” Loewen said..The legislature is currently on summer recess and proceedings will resume in September. .READ MORE: UCP leadership candidate Danielle Smith promises no more lockdowns.Rival UCP leadership candidate Danielle Smith has also been critical of COVID-19 policy. She's promised never to lockdown Alberta again if elected premier..Smith said she thinks the federal government will seek to reintroduce COVID-19 restrictions this fall — and that Alberta must be prepared to resist pressure to do the same..READ MORE: Smith says Alberta must choose a different path should Ottawa reintroduce COVID restrictions this fall.UCP members will elect a new leader and premier on October 6.
