NDP Opposition leader Rachel Notley says there is a need “to separate politics from public health” and wants sweeping new powers granted to Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw.
Notley said infighting amongst the UCP has led to a point where Premier Jason Kenney and his cabinet can’t be trusted to make decisions about COVID-19 in Alberta.
“Albertans have seen this movie before,” Notley told reporters at a Calgary press conference on Thursday.
She described the UCP caucus and party officials sniping at Kenney as a “high school drama.”
“The campaign for leader started (Wednesday),” she said.
“Cabinet ministers are sharpening their knives to seek power,” said Notley describing Kenney’s cabinet as “politically compromised.”
Notley wants Kenney to hand over all COVID-19 decisions to Hinshaw and a panel of experts.
She said daily death tools this week stood at 29 and 20 and “no one in government said a thing.”
Notley said Kenney should “surrender” powers to the CMOH.
She said Hinshaw may have to bring in even more COVID-19 lockdown restrictions and will have to decide when to remove restrictions if she is granted the powers.
Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard
Dave Naylor is News Editor & Calgary Bureau Chief of the Western Standard based in the Calgary Headquarters.
He served as City Editor of the Calgary Sun & covered Alberta news for nearly 40 years.
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