A bill promised by Alberta Premier Jason Kenney to protect businesses from lawsuits filed by employees fired for refusing COVID-19 vaccinations is in jeopardy, sources tell the Western Standard..The Kenney government has promised several business groups that he would “introduce legislation to protect businesses that require vaccinations for employees or implement the Restriction Exemption Program from legal challenges.”.The effect of the bill would be to bar employees fired from their jobs for refusing the COVID-19 jab from suing employees for wrongful dismissal and exempt businesses from any severance requirements..Sources in the UCP Caucus say that the bill has been met with internal resistance, and its tabling in the legislature is now in jeopardy..The proposed law was met with support from some business organizations at the time..“Today’s announcement will help small businesses adjust to the new restrictions and ease their concerns about legal and liability ramifications of implementing proof of vaccination in the workplace,” said Annie Dormuth, director, Provincial Affairs for Alberta of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, on October 7..“CFIB thanks the Alberta government for listening to the voices of small businesses and acting on many of our recommendations as it relates to mandating proof of vaccination.”.The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms said the proposed law was abhorrent..“Vaccine passports are a blatant violation of bodily autonomy, a right protected by the Charter. They also violate the Charter by creating inequality between Canadians without a valid medical or scientific justification,” said the JCCF’S Marty Moore..“The Charter does not allow governments to delegate the violation of Charter rights and freedoms to private businesses..“This proposed law, which emboldens employers to terminate employees with impunity based on personal and private medical decisions, is a disgusting attack on employees’ Charter and contractual rights. .“It is not surprising that governments which exercise totalitarian power attempt to enlist and empower citizens to join them in abusing the rights of minorities with state-sanctioned immunity. Preventing oppressed minorities from vindicating their legal rights in the courts is yet another common measure of totalitarian regimes..“What should shock and horrify all Canadians is that we are seeing these measures proposed in Canada, a country supposed to be built on the principle of equality as a free and democratic society.”.The government also said it will “be doubling fines for contravening public health orders, including the mistreatment of workers doing the difficult work ensuring public health orders are being followed, from $2,000 to $4,000.”.Kenney’s office does not speak with the Western Standard and a request for comment from Jobs, Economy and Innovation Minister Doug Schweitzer was also unanswered.
