Local MLA Drew Barnes addressed a letter to Premier Jason Kenney on Monday demanding transparency regarding provincial COVID-19 response policies, in what he says would be a move toward accountability. – NEWS PHOTO KENDALL KING
kking@medicinehatnews.com
Local MLA Drew Barnes addressed a letter to Premier Jason Kenney on Monday demanding transparency regarding provincial COVID-19 response policies, in what he says would be a move toward accountability.
In the letter, Barnes states, “It is becoming increasingly clear the worst of the COVID pandemic is now behind us … The need for public health restrictions and emergency measures is coming to an end and it’s time to put heavy handed and intrusive government policies behind us.”
Barnes then outlines nine issues he would like to see addressed by the Kenney government, including “a full accounting of every dollar spent on pandemic management,” a response to the implementation of vaccine mandates and the Restrictions Exemption Program, and an explanation for what he claims were unfulfilled promises for expanded ICU capacity.
“People in Medicine Hat cannot forget that we’ve had as many challenges because of the COVID mandates and lockdowns as from COVID itself,” Barnes told the News. “Our mental health crisis, our economic crisis, our physical health crisis and that is one of the main reasons why I decided to call on Premier Kenney to give us a full account of his actions during the last 23 months and where our hard-earned tax dollars have been spent.”
“It’s about accountability,” said Barnes. “Unlike Premier Kenney and the UCP, I’m willing to accept accountability. What I am asking for is some accountability and some oversight with a view of positively improving things so we can make life better for all Alberta families.”
After calling Kenney out on his government’s distribution of rapid-testing kits, the News inquired as to what plan Barnes’ would support for rapid kit distribution.
“There would have been lots of ways to do that. We’re always best to have local decision making, so have as many local people involved as possible out of Medicine Hat, rather than out of Edmonton. I would suggest that,” said Barnes. “Twenty-three months into this pandemic, somebody should have been able to plan that out. So, it’s a failure on the Kenney government that 23 months into the pandemic they can’t deliver those on a timely basis. I would like to know why. I would like those questions to be asked.”
Barnes, who was ejected from the United Conservative Party caucus in May 2021 after criticizing Kenney for his COVID-19 response management, says all he wants in response to his letter is an open discussion with Kenney in regards to provincial COVID policy.
“The core element behind my letter to Kenney is, ‘Let’s look at ways to make this better. Let’s look at where the right things were done, let’s look at where mistakes were made and let’s focus on Alberta families and individuals,'” said Barnes.
One of the few courses of action the Kenney government has admitted was a mistake was the Best Summer Ever campaign, which saw a total removal of all COVID-19 safety measures beginning July 1, 2021. Shortly after restrictions were lifted, COVID cases began to climb as the fourth wave – dominated by the Delta variant – took shape.
At the height of the fourth wave, 56 Hatters died over the course of two and a half months. Barnes offered sympathy to the families of the deceased, but felt he couldn’t have personally done more to prevent those deaths.
“My total empathy, my total support for everybody affected by COVID, the individuals that caught it, the individuals that will be affected for a long time and, of course, those that passed away and for the families that had to go through that,” he said. “Absolutely, I know COVID is a serious problem. That doesn’t mean we couldn’t have handled it better. As an example, more access to early treatment after being tested positive, could have gone a long way. I understand that more often than not, in Alberta, if you’ve tested positive for COVID, you were left and asked to come back if your breathing issues worsened. I understand in Texas, they have 35 early treatment clinics where if you test positive for COVID, even if you’re asymptomatic, you get immediately assigned to one of those and they help you with lifestyle issues and vitamin issues and those kind of things. Why wasn’t some of that done in Alberta and, if it was successfully, let’s analyze where it worked and where it didn’t work.”
Beyond those who died or suffered from COVID, Barnes feels for his constituents who have been affected by mental health problems and economic concerns.
“Absolutely, COVID has been a problem and I have huge empathy for everyone affected but I also have a lot of empathy for the people who have had mental health issues, including the huge number of self-harm issues that have happened in Cypress-Medicine Hat,” he said. “I have huge empathy for the people that have come to me who’ve lost their jobs and incomes. The small businesses are in a bit of a crisis now. There’s been a lot of stresses on our economy and community because of COVID.”
As Barnes waits on a reply from the Kenney government, he assures his constituents he will still be working to represent their interests.
“Me and my staff were here all the time (during the pandemic). We gave the very best services we could and now we ask for a full, open, transparent debate. I think many of the things that I suggested, would have been better for Alberta, but, individual deaths, I have so much sympathy for everybody affected.”
