‘About Political Control’: Alberta Cabinet Minister on ArriveCan and Border Vaccine Requirements

Police and workers wait for arrivals at the COVID-19 testing centre in Terminal 3 at Pearson Airport in Toronto on February 3, 2021. The Canadian Press/Frank Gunn

An Alberta cabinet minister says the federal government’s vaccine requirements at the border and use of the ArriveCan app are not based on science, but rather on political opportunism.

“It never was about science but about political control and power,” said Alberta’s Labour and Immigration Minister Kaycee Madu in a Twitter post on Sept. 20.

Madu was reacting to an article by CTV News the same day, saying the Liberal government is planning to end its COVID-19 vaccine border requirements by the end of the month and make the ArriveCan app optional. The article cited anonymous sources in its claims.

“The sources indicated the Liberals would also end the outstanding random COVID-19 testing for travellers,” the CTV article reported.

In his tweet, Madu, who served as Minister of Justice and Solicitor General from August 2020 until February this year, also thanked protesters, including the Freedom Convoys, for mobilizing against “tyrannical policies” during the pandemic.

“Thanks to all those citizens, freedom convoys, who had the courage to mobilize against these tyrannical policies. They endured a lot [of] hate, name calling, suffered and vilified on behalf of all of us. I thank them!”

Alberta premier Jason Kenney shakes hands with Kaycee Madu, Minister of Municipal Affairs after being sworn into office in Edmonton on April 30, 2019. The Canadian Press/Jason Franson

The Freedom Convoy, which demonstrated in Ottawa earlier this year to oppose the federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates, was characterized by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as sporting “Nazi symbolism” and “racist imagery”—a charge the convoy organizers rejected, saying they are diverse Canadians asking for the upholding of freedoms.

Alberta’s provincial government introduced its own version of a vaccine passport last September, which mandated anyone using non-essential services such as bars and restaurants to show proof of vaccination.

Religious services were not classified as essential by the Alberta government during the pandemic, which resulted in some high-profile arrests of Alberta pastors who refused to abide by the COVID restrictions and mandates.

While in London for Queen Elizabeth’s funeral on Sept. 18, Trudeau did not confirm nor deny he’s about to lift much of the remaining federal COVID-19 restrictions when questioned by reporters.

“Every step of the way through this pandemic we’ve been guided by evidence, by facts, by the best counsel of experts—international and across Canada—with the overarching priority of keeping Canadians safe, healthy, and making sure we’re caring for the Canadian economy and everyone’s general well-being,” he said.

“As we look at the situation evolving, we will continue to make decisions that align with that and when we have things to announce, we will announce them.”

Noe Chartier contributed to this report.