Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's chief medical officer of health, is shown speaking during a news conference on Nov. 23, 2020. (CPAC livestream)

By Troy Gillard

Bombshell story cites secret audio recordings

Hinshaw to address reports of political interference, tension over Alberta’s COVID-19 response

Nov 26, 2020 | 2:18 PM

Alberta’s chief medical officer of health says she will address reports of political interference and tension over the province’s COVID-19 response when she delivers her latest update this afternoon.

Hinshaw will speak at a news conference scheduled for 3:30 p.m. You can watch it live here.

A CBC News story published Thursday cites secret audio recordings from meetings of the province’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), as well as meeting minutes and interviews with staff directly involved in pandemic planning, that reveal how Premier Jason Kenney, Health Minister Tyler Shandro and other cabinet ministers “often micromanaged the actions of already overwhelmed civil servants; sometimes overruled their expert advice; and pushed an early relaunch strategy that seemed more focused on the economy and avoiding the appearance of curtailing Albertans’ freedoms than enforcing compliance to safeguard public health.”

Hinshaw has expressed her disappointment over the story.

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“Trust has been broken. During today’s availability, I will address media reports that cite secretly recorded meetings,” she tweeted. “I appreciate the ongoing messages from Albertans and acknowledgement that the actions of a few have violated the trust of many.”

Hinshaw said she spoke to Premier Kenney and Minister Shandro to express her disappointment with “the irresponsible actions of one person.”

The NDP Opposition says it is now calling for the establishment of an independent COVID-19 advisory group to report data and provide advice to Albertans.

“Despite constant claims that he is following Dr. Hinshaw’s advice to the letter, I’ve lost count of the number of times he has deflected criticism by hiding behind Dr. Hinshaw’s skirt,” said NDP leader Rachel Notley. “The revelations today further amplify the degree to which Jason Kenney has been lying to Albertans. He has been ignoring public health advice and by doing so, jeopardizing the health, safety, and economic security of Albertans.”