Alberta politicians could have final say in public health emergency if bill passes

There are concerns with the provincial government's latest pieces of legislation. The bill would see key public health decisions left in the hands of politicians.

The Alberta government is proposing changes to the Public Health Act to allow politicians to make final decisions during public health emergencies. Cabinet would still hear expert advice from medical officials before making any final calls.

Former chief medical officer of health James Talbot said it would be more accurate to call Bill 6 the “political interference in public health emergencies amendment.”

“If it gets passed, particularly in its present form, it’s going to significantly weaken the ability of the chief medical officer and any other local medical officer of health to respond during a public health emergency,” Talbot said.

Talbot said medical experts who make decisions during public health emergencies consider everyone, and their concern is health and safety, they are not worried about people complaining to MLAs.

“By introducing (decisions) to cabinet you are taking it out of the hands of an objective physician who’s used to having to make decisions, in which people’s lives can be impacted as much as whether they live or die,” Talbot said.

“Giving it to a group of people, who have none of that experience and are prepared to be swayed by powerful interests, whose interests are different than looking out for the people affected, that is one of the most insidious things.”

Justice Minister Mickey Amery said Thursday that Albertans elect MLAs to make decisions in the best interests of the public. This legislation ensures that final decision-making authority, and the accountability that must come with it, rests with those entrusted by Albertans.

In August, several health charges were dropped against an Edmonton-area pastor and church as well as a central Alberta man who hosted a rodeo in protest of COVID-19 restrictions.