CALGARY — Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says he won't "take a lecture" from federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu on how to handle COVID-19.
Hajdu earlier penned a letter to her Alberta counterpart saying she agrees with the Canadian Paediatric Society's description of Alberta's move to lift all COVID-19 measures as an "unnecessary and risky gamble."
Numerous political leaders and health-care experts across Canada have condemned Alberta's decision to eliminate isolation, testing, and contact-tracing measures.
Kenney said he respects the advice of Alberta's top doctor, and the federal government should do the same.
The premier went on to describe Hajdu's letter as a political ploy.
He also criticized the federal minister's handling of COVID-19 in the early days of the pandemic.
Earlier Friday, Alberta's Opposition NDP called on Kenney to release internal modelling that the government said supported its decision to eliminate its public-heath measures.
NDP deputy leader Sarah Hoffman said the government needs to release the data, so Albertans can make decisions on their health and gauge the risks — especially as cases spike.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 6, 2021.
The Canadian Press
