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By Chris Brown

Over comments on COVID tests, masking

NDP calling on premier to remove Drew Barnes from UCP caucus

Jan 29, 2021 | 9:02 AM

Alberta’s NDP is calling on Premier Jason Kenney to remove Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes from caucus over comments that called into question the reliability of COVID tests and the effectiveness of masks to prevent spread of the virus.

“Drew Barnes is undermining our response to the pandemic, that has caused incredible hardship for Alberta families and businesses and that as led to the death of over 1,600 Albertans,” NDP Deputy Leader Sarah Hoffman said at a noon-hour news conference in Edmonton.

Barnes made the comments in an interview on Live With Western Standard that was posted on Jan. 28.

A clip of the interview was posted by NDP Leader Rachel Notley. In it, Barnes says “we’re hearing here that our tests may be 50 per cent ineffective.”

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“Albertans have made incredible sacrifices to keep each other safe. For Drew Barnes to suggest this has all been some kind of hoax is deplorable,” said Hoffman. “This is a leadership test moment for Jason Kenney. He must remove Drew Barnes from the government caucus.”

She said that following the “AlohaGate” scandal Kenney promised to create a culture of discipline and now is the time to back up his words with action.

Hoffman said that on a Jan. 6 Facebook Live, Kenney himself said the rumours and conspiracy theories that Barnes is now spreading had to be put to rest. and that people need to have confidence in testing.

“For his MLA to be furthering those conspiracy theories is a complete lack of leadership on the part of Drew Barnes and if the premier allows him to stay in his caucus it demonstrates a profound lack of leadership from Jason Kenney,” said Hoffman.

David Shepherd, NDP health critic, said the PCR tests are highly accurate and approach 100 per cent depending on the progress of the virus.

“I can’t stress enough that this kind of misinformation being spread by MLA Barnes puts the lives of Albertans at risk. It cannot be tolerated,” he said.

He added the premier “cannot allow his own government members to spread this conspiracy theory, especially when we may be entering a new phase of the pandemic with highly contagious new COVID-19 variants already present in our community.”

Barnes took to Twitter during the NDP news conference, saying he “misstated an important point about testing.”

“I didn’t clearly state that I was referring to testing within the five-day incubation period, and this created confusion, for which I apologize.”

CHAT News has reached out to Barnes for comment.