WHEREAS COVID-19 mandates and vaccine passports infringe on Canadians’ rights and freedoms; and

WHEREAS the Government of Alberta continues to limit citizens’ rights and freedoms despite its February 8, 2022 announcement ending its vaccine passport program; and

WHEREAS Government of Canada restrictions on travellers entering or re-entering the country continue to restrict the freedoms of Canadians;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) advocate to the governments of Alberta and Canada for the elimination of all COVID-19 mandates and the elimination of vaccine passports and the QR code database.

History

Vaccine mandates and passports have been used by the provincial and federal governments at various stages and in varying degrees from the beginning of COVID-19 in 2020 through to the winter of 2022.

Impacts

The negative economic impacts of both mandates and passports have been felt by citizens, businesses and industry as the economic consequences of mandates and passports have spread throughout the province and the country. Businesses and industry have been forced to lay off workers, reduce production and in some cases close altogether leading to serious loss of employment.

The negative and divisive social impacts have been felt throughout society, but the loss of rights and freedoms have been particularly acutely felt in rural municipalities as restrictions on gatherings and participation in social interactions have been dramatically curtailed.

RMA has no active resolutions directly related to this issue.