Screengrab from video

By Chris Brown

Weekend protest at office

Renewed call for premier to take action against Drew Barnes over COVID-19 comments

Feb 22, 2021 | 4:46 PM

The Alberta NDP is again calling on Premier Jason Kenney to take action against Drew Barnes after the Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA took part in an anti-mask, anti-public health measures protest outside his constituency office on the weekend.

About 30 protesters were at the gathering, some carrying signs that read “End the Lockdown” and “Save the Kids” among other phrases.

Barnes addressed the crowd, thanking them for showing up and told them he will always do what he can to fight for them.

He said he will pass their message on to the premier and the UCP caucus.

“I’ll get it to Rachel Notley, who will probably ask once again that I be fired,” he said to laughter from the crowd.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

5h ago

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

11h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

'Compassionate Friends' offer peer support for bereaved in Medicine Hat

Dec 11, 2024

Barnes also released a statement about the event.

“Jason Kenney told his caucus to knock this off,” said David Shepherd, NDP health critic, in a release. “He promised Albertans a culture of discipline. Now he must either stand by his words and remove an MLA who is actively campaigning against the health and safety of Albertans from his caucus, or admit he has lost control of the UCP to the conspiracy theorists.”

The NDP says Kenney also failed to take action when Barnes and MLA Angela Pitt joined the “End the Lockdown Caucus” alongside the leader of a separatist party and an MP who was thrown out of the federal Conservative party for accepting a donation from a white nationalist.

“Albertans need better than the weak leadership of Jason Kenney,” said Shepherd. “For months, his MLAs have been publicly undermining his own public health orders. Kenney is enabling their dangerous behaviour with his failure to discipline them. There’s been enough talk – it’s time for Kenney to act.”