Barnes sorry for testing comments as NDP urges his removal

By COLLIN GALLANT on January 30, 2021.

cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant

Local MLA Drew Barnes has apologized on social media for his comments that the COVID testing process in Alberta was unreliable, but opposition critics say he still needs to be removed from government caucus.

Barnes appeared in a video interview on Thursday night with the Western Standard online publication and stated he had heard Alberta testing procedures were up to 50 per cent unreliable and added the benefits of wearing a mask are debatable.

On Friday he released a statement saying that he “misstated” facts on the testing issue on Friday, at the same time as New Democrats held a press conference calling on Premier Jason Kenney to remove him.

NDP deputy leader Sarah Hoffman said Barnes “used his position to spread dangerous misinformation about Alberta’s COVID testing and the use of masks.

“These claims are false and it’s completely irresponsible.”

During the interview, Barnes says, “We’re hearing here that our test might be 50 per cent ineffective.”

According to his statement on Friday he was referring to a related issue, not the tests themselves.

“I am fully aware that PCR testing is effective,” he wrote. “Alberta’s ability to administer more PCR tests per capita than any other province is part of the reason why we’ve been able to bring stabilize our infection rate so significantly.”

NDP health critic David Shepherd says a statement about the validity of testing from a government member would lead some to question their results and potentially ignore isolation requirements, leading to further spread.

Barnes has been vocal about his belief that pandemic restrictions and guidelines should be considered on a regional basis. That’s grown since local case rates began to steadily decline in January.

In Medicine Hat, active cases sat at 21 on Friday, about one-sixth of the high point in late November when further restrictions were brought in and a province-wide mask mandate was imposed.

Kenney, who announced some restrictions would be lifted Feb. 8, didn’t address the issue during a press conference with limited access on Friday afternoon.

He said changes to business operating rules weren’t made through a political lens.

“We’ve always said that we need to base these decisions on the best information available,” said Kenney. “Of course there is a broader issue of Albertans’ willingness to comply with restrictions.”

Hoffman said Kenney himself has talked about rumours of testing problems that are untrue. It also comes after controversy that some MLAs downplayed the severity of rising case numbers late last year in mailouts and meetings with constituents.

“This is a leadership test moment for Jason Kenney,” she said. “He must remove Drew Barnes from caucus.”