'What a disgusting thing to say': New Alberta premier slammed
Danielle Smith, sworn in Tuesday as Alberta's new premier said, "(the unvaccinated) have been the most discriminated-against group that I’ve ever witnessed in my lifetime." She also pledged to change the health system within three months and amend the provincial human rights law to protect those who choose not to get vaccinated.
Her comments sparked swift outrage across Canada. Many pointed to discrimination faced by Indigenous communities, people of colour, those who wear turbans and hijabs, members of the LGBTQ+ community and immigrants in Canada and called her out for making "tone deaf and disrespectful" remarks.
After a massive backlash, the premier tracked back her comments in a statement.
Video by Shibani Gokhale
Video Transcript
- I can't remember a Canadian official ever saying anything more offensive in my entire lifetime. How out of touch with reality can a person be? What a disgusting thing to say.
Does she live in Canada? These are some of the reactions Canadians had to Alberta's new Premier saying, "the unvaccinated are the most discriminated against group. I've ever seen in my lifetime."
Danielle Smith was sworn in as Alberta's Premier this week, and she commented on healthcare reform after her ceremony.
DANIELLE SMITH: The community that faced the most restrictions on their freedoms in the last year were those who made a choice not to be vaccinated. So they have been the most discriminated against group that I've ever witnessed in my lifetime. That's a pretty extreme level of discrimination that we have seen.
- Smith also plans to amend Alberta Human Rights Act to add vaccination status, as a ground subject to protection from discrimination. And has indicated that Albertans should expect rapid changes in healthcare management. She will be replacing Alberta's chief medical officer, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, with a new team that considers COVID-19 to be an endemic disease.
Her comments sparked swift outrage across the country. Many pointed to discrimination faced by Indigenous communities, people of color, those who wear turbans and hijabs, members of the LGBTQ community, and immigrants in Canada. They said most or all of these communities are facing discrimination on a daily basis. And certainly faced discrimination in her lifetime.
Some questioned, if she understands the meaning of discrimination, and accused her of being tone-deaf, disrespectful, and privileged. Her comments also garnered some debate on the issue of choice. Smith said people are being discriminated against on the basis of a medical choice.
Canadians pointed out that other communities are often discriminated against on the basis of their skin color, sexuality, gender identity, race. None of which, are choices Smith released a statement clarifying her remarks in response to the backlash, and said she did not intend to trivialize discrimination faced by minority communities. She also said that she's open to listening and addressing issues. But some Canadians say too little too late.
In fact, 71% of Yahoo readers are not in favor of her comments. What do you think of what she said?
