Alberta cabinet needs final say in health crises, Preston Manning’s COVID-19 panel says – CBC
Politicians urged to consider ‘alternative scientific narratives’
Nov 15, 2023
A panel reviewing Alberta’s COVID-19 response is calling for rule changes to ensure the premier and cabinet have the last word in future crises.
The Alberta government has yet to say whether it will act upon any of the more than 90 recommendations from the panel, which was chaired by former Reform Party leader Preston Manning.
The panel recommends putting the Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA), which currently leads responses to natural disasters, in charge of responding to future public health emergencies.
“What starts as a health emergency, or it may start as some other kind of emergency, ends up having consequences far beyond the realm of health,” Manning said in a Wednesday interview.
Some critics say the provincial government could be hampered from responding efficiently and effectively to future emergencies, should they adopt all the recommendations.
