BREAKING: Alberta to introduce 'optional' proof of vaccination

After criticizing Premier Jason Kenney’s vaccine incentive Tuesday, Official Opposition leader Rachel Notley renewed her calls for a vaccine mandate. Now, it appears a vaccine passport is possible for Alberta after a Conservative MLA released a letter, citing the government’s shifting position, which "triggered discussions on mandatory vaccination, masks, and vaccine passports."

"Two months ago, the Government of Alberta, my colleagues and I told you that Alberta was not only "Open for Summer" but "Open for Good." With all the information at my disposal, I truly believed this to be the case," said UCP MLA Pete Guthrie. "Yet here we are, weeks later, imposing restrictions on constituents again, and for this reason, I want to offer my sincerest apologies."

Citing stalled vaccination rates and climbing COVID hospitalizations and ICU admissions, Guthrie added that "increased anxiety" on protecting Alberta’s healthcare system led to further conversations on these contentious issues.

"Vaccine passports are the way forward," tweeted Notley. "Let’s get back to doing the things we love. Music festivals, sporting events, movies at the theatre."

Citing the ineffectiveness of the premier’s "vaccine lottery," she said other jurisdictions implemented vaccine passports to influence more people to get the jab.

"If you just haven't gotten around to it, for the love of God, please get vaccinated now," urged Kenney in a Friday news conference. "And if you do, we will now pay you $100… to step up and do the right thing."

He said that cases and hospitalizations are rising due to the "highly contagious" Delta variant, mainly spreading amongst unvaccinated persons. Unvaccinated Albertans make up 80 percent of all hospitalizations since July 1, with 30 percent of the eligible population without complete vaccine protection.

Despite being vaccinated, Guthrie firmly supports the right for individuals to choose for themselves and maintain bodily autonomy. He acknowledged that the debate had sown division, urging constituents to respect one another’s decisions.

However, a recent Leger poll found that 57 percent of Albertans "strongly support" mandating a vaccine passport, while 20 percent "somewhat support" and four percent "somewhat oppose." Only 20 percent "strongly oppose" vaccine passports.

With only 31 percent of residents "total satisfied" with the provincial measures put in place to fight COVID, a whopping 50 percent are "very dissatisfied."

"These passports are simple, secure and scannable," tweeted Notley. "They work. Alberta needs a vaccine passport program."

"During last week’s announcement, it was also revealed to me that the province would be introducing a QR Code for Albertans to use as proof of vaccination for organizations choosing to introduce a so-called 'vaccine passport,'" added Guthrie.

"Various public opinions exist on the use of vaccine passports, but I am not convinced it is a good practice for domestic use as it not only limits access to services and isolates individuals, it also provides a false sense of security for those who are vaccinated."

He said the belief that complete vaccination and possessing a vaccine passport is equivalent to immunity "is not accurate because the efficacy of the vaccine wanes over time."

Despite 54 percent of Albertans "not afraid" of contracting COVID, 14 percent said the province is in the worst period of the public health crisis, with 32 percent stating the worst of the crisis is yet to come.

Only 21 percent of Albertans support lifting all restrictions right now.