MLAs downplay party divisions over public health restrictions
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Local United Conservative Party MLAs are downplaying divisions within the party after 15 members signed a letter of protest over the decision to return to Phase One public health restrictions last week, and two others publicly voiced their opposition later– suggesting a growing rift in the governing party. Livingstone-Macleod MLA Roger Reid was one of those who signed the letter. In a statement released to the public, Reid attempted to clarify his reasons for doing so. “I signed the letter because I believe it is time to drastically expand our focus on the impact of COVID on the lives of Albertans,” Reid states in part. “The introduction of the vaccines has significantly reduced both hospitalizations and deaths among the most adversely impacted by the virus. While we have seen an impact on our health care system, numbers show those in ICU were lower in 2020 than in previous years.