Edmonton-Area Mayors Call for Vaccine Passports in Open Letter

In a signed, open letter to Health Minister Tyler Shandro, a dozen Edmonton-area mayors have called on the province to implement a vaccine passport mandate amid concerns about whether some small businesses will be able to survive without one (via Edmonton Journal).

Dated Tuesday, the letter is signed by the mayors of Edmonton, St. Albert, Beaumont, Parkland County, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Devon, Morinville, Sturgeon County, Strathcona County, Leduc Country, and the City of Leduc.

“Together, we have the most citizens currently in hospital and in intensive care,” says the letter. “These citizens, their loved ones, and a rapidly growing majority of our community members are looking to you to craft public policy that helps protects people and to demonstrate leadership during these difficult times.”

“Residents should not be expecting municipal councils to assume public health policy development and responsibilities. Further, given the reduction in the province’s grant funding to municipalities, we cannot afford to carry the additional financial burdens.”

Premier Jason Kenney has rejected the notion of a vaccine passport mandate, which would require Albertans to show proof of vaccination to access businesses deemed non-essential, a move other provinces have already put in place.