MLA Glasgo defends restrictions as cases spike

By ALEX McCUAIG Special to the News on May 5, 2021.

With debate raging in Alberta about public health measures as COVID case counts continue to surge, Premier Jason Kenney dropped the hammer on another set of restrictions Tuesday evening – the third in the last month.

Schools, businesses, churches and the number of people that can attend social gatherings will all be affected by the tightened restrictions.

Brooks-Medicine Hat MLA Michaela Glasgo was one of 15 UCP MLAs who signed onto a letter last month decrying increased restrictions.

But that was then, and the current situation with rising case counts has her supporting the latest – and in many ways toughest – public health restrictions put in place in the past 12 months, Glasgo said in an interview following the announcement.

“In a period of exponential growth that we are seeing right now, more public health restrictions are necessary.”

She said the need to follow the latest measures is rooted in protecting the health of Albertans and preventing a situation at hospitals in which staff are faced with decisions as to who gets care and who doesn’t.

“We have an obligation to care for people who can’t care for themselves. We have an obligation to protect the vulnerable and we have an obligation to protect our healthcare system,” said Glasgo.

But there is light at the end of the tunnel, she said, highlighting vaccines continue to arrive in the province and that she will be getting the shot as soon as she is eligible.

“If you can get vaccinated, get vaccinated,” said Glasgo.

And she was adamant in the need for the public to follow the new measures.

“The rules are not optional,” said Glasgo. “We might not like the rules that are in place, sometimes they might be damaging to us, we might feel personally that they are unfair. But that doesn’t change the fact they are the rules and the rules need to be followed.”

On the matter of enforcement of health restrictions, the city’s police chief says if Medicine Hat residents want to support local law enforcement they can start by following public health restrictions.

MHPS Chief Mike Worden says the vast majority of Hatters continue to follow public health restrictions.

But for those that aren’t following health measures, police are not standing idly by, said the chief, and he is aware of the issues it’s causing with people and businesses that are abiding by restrictions.

“I understand their frustrations,” said Worden. “When they see some businesses that are flaunting the fact that they are not abiding by the restrictions and other businesses are being those good citizens – I completely get their frustrations.”

However, he called for patience as police continue to investigate instances of non-compliance as well as consult with prosecutors on possible charges.

But those situations will only arise after multiple attempts to educate those not following the measures fail.

As for penalties, Premier Kenney announced Tuesday basic fines will be doubling to $2,000, up to $100,000, while tougher enforcement protocols will be put in place to deal with repeat offenders.

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