Lethbridge East MLA Nathan Neudorf & Lethbridge West MLA Shannon Phillips (Photos supplied by Neudorf and Phillips)

By Justin Goulet

Lethbridge MLAs speak out on this week’s new COVID restrictions, Kenney’s leadership

Apr 9, 2021 | 10:54 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Nathan Neudorf and Shannon Phillips have responded to how Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has been handling COVID-19, as well as the restrictions announced this week.

Following the announcement by Kenney, multiple UCP MLAs signed a public letter, saying the latest restrictions imposed are “a backward step” that threaten the livelihoods of businesses and citizens.

READ MORE: Kenney announces new COVID restrictions as variants surge

READ MORE: 15 UCP MLAs voice opposition to new COVID restrictions

UCP MLA for Lethbridge East Nathan Neudorf was not one of the caucus members who signed the letter.

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He said, quote, “Lethbridge is a uniquely diverse city with an equally diverse range of positions on the recent announcements. In addition, Lethbridge has one of the highest COVID case counts per capita in all of Alberta.”

“To address the rise in cases, most people I hear from want some restrictions – however they want them to be effective, consistent, and logical. Most want small businesses to remain open, at least to some degree, with consistent and clear messaging provided for guidelines and precautions giving everyone a chance to earn an income.”

Neudorf remarked that he’s heard that most people want a clear path to opening or remaining open.

“What they do not want are pages of rules with inconsistencies and confusing restrictions. What I hear every day is that people want simple principles such as limited numbers, small sized cohorts, graduated levels of PPE based on the risk of the activity, and reasons to get vaccinated that are not coercive.”

Neudorf added that he’s advocating for the best outcomes for Lethbridge, connecting people to supports and services, working with every agency possible to help citizens and getting people back to work safely.

SHANNON PHILLIPS

The NDP MLA for Lethbridge West, Shannon Phillips, spoke out about the leadership of Jason Kenney at a recent session in the legislature.

A video of Phillips’ comments from the legislature can be seen here.

She said, quote, that “a year into COVID-19, Albertans are witnessing some of the most regrettable leadership by a Premier in Canadian history.”

“With mass unemployment and loss of public confidence in UCP decisions for a year, the Premier could have taken concrete action to help workers and the businesses they work for. He could have provided paid sick leave [and] he didn’t and so sick people, they make the choice – they have no choice but to go to work.”

She commented that this has resulted in increased community spread of the virus and economic insecurity.

Phillips added that the only set of problems Jason Kenney seems to care about is what she called his “conspiracy caucus” revolt, referring to the MLAs who have opposed the latest COVID-19 restrictions.

READ MORE: Kenney tells UCP caucus COVID-19 dissent OK, breaking health rules means expulsion

She said that, quote, “with the loss of moral authority evident, the Premier has a real crisis on his hands. There’s a political crisis, to be sure – that’s the only set of problems he seems to care about. But the political crisis is broader than his ‘conspiracy caucus’ revolt.”

“It is that no one of almost any background trusts him anymore.”

She believes Alberta will further overwhelm the healthcare system and stymie the province’s economic recovery without an appropriate response to the pandemic.

“This is a vicious circle of suffering because the Premier’s arrogance and empathy stopped him from doing the right thing at every opportunity.”