FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

Alberta Party Leader Barry Morishita issued the following statement following the Premier’s Cabinet shuffle announcement today:

“Premier Kenney must recognize that a Cabinet shuffle does not save lives and does not reduce the overwhelming stress on our healthcare workers and system. While I wish Minister Copping luck in this role, the government cannot afford to waste time having a new Minister learn the ins and outs of this immensely complex portfolio. The role of Health Minister is critical to the health and vitality of the province, and it is Mr. Copping who is now faced with leading a change in this government’s response. The damage of the fourth wave of COVID-19 has already resulted in too much heartbreak and burden on Albertan families.

Albertans are expecting this government to take immediate action to combat this virus. I am therefore concerned that writing to the federal government that was elected yesterday expecting immediate action from them on provincial health transfers does nothing in the short-term.

The Alberta Party plans to continue holding this government to account over their absolute failure in managing this fourth wave. The buck stops at the Premier’s office, and Mr. Kenney must take responsibility for this failure.”

The Alberta Party calls on the Alberta government to:

• Publicly disclose all data and modeling with sources that have been used to make public health decisions
• Courageously enforce public health orders
• Support business owners with improved communication, clarifications and resources to implement the Restriction Exemption Program