The first week of January should have been one of triumph for the Alberta government— The province had appeared to turn a corner of the COVID-19 pandemic with the roll out of a vaccine and active cases of the virus appearing to be levelling out.
Instead, the United Conservative Party faced a self-inflicted scandal when it was revealed elected officials and political staffers, including Premier Jason Kenney's Chief of Staff and Minister of Municipal Affairs Tracy Allard, had travelled outside of Canada over the holidays.
The revelation that multiple Albertan politicians chose to travel comes on the heels of Alberta passing 1,000 COVID-19 deaths, and the first death of a provincial health care worker.
The MLAs choice to travel are a slap in the face to those that elected them, and the sacrifices countless Albertans have made to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Since March Albertans have been told COVID-19 is a threat that requires all of us to do our part to keep others safe.
In that time, Albertans have risen to the challenge with courage, and through collective action have done their best to flatten the curve of infection.
This sense of adversity was only heightened over the holidays as many gave up valued traditions with friends and families.
It is encouraging to see the majority of politicians chose to follow suit—Unfortunately, not all our leaders at both the provincial and federal level chose to adhere to public health measures and recommendations.
The decision multiple MLAs and MPs made to travel is disappointing to Albertans and the countless sacrifices they have made during the COVID-19 pandemic— It is an act of betrayal.
More importantly it also dangerously undermines the entire collective effort to bend the curve of infection and keep our health system from being overwhelmed.
Our leaders are supposed to represent the best of us and work for the greater good of society— The rash and selfish decisions to break from health recommendations not only undermines the importance of following public health measures but reeks of entitlement and elitism paired with a wanton disregard for the health of others.
It sends a clear message of, “Do as I say, and not as I do.”
Minor disciplinary action has been taken by Kenney who released a message over social media indicating he had accepted the resignation of multiple MLAs from his cabinet.
To be clear no MLA has actually resigned or left the United Conservative Party caucus— There will be no vacancies or by-elections despite the clear anger Albertans have shown in the face of the audacity and hypocrisy of these politicians.
Kenney is seemingly reluctant to take action and deal real consequences to those that travelled to demonstrate health measures are valued and should be respected.
Our leaders set the example for how citizens should behave during the pandemic— The bare minimum expectation is they follow the health measures and recommendations that have been put in place.
Given our province will likely face ongoing public health regulations to help bend the curve of COVID-19 infections for many months to come, one cannot help but wonder how the Premier will be able to make these requests and proclamations with in good faith given the behaviour of some caucus members.
As Albertans and Canadians, we can and should demand better from our leaders.
