CALGARY (660 NEWS) — Alberta’s justice minister is apologizing after posting a comment on Facebook claiming the provincial NDP, the media and Ottawa wanted the healthcare system to become overwhelmed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Friday, Madu posted the comment that reads “My point is that I don’t think it will be responsible to simply wait until we have a disaster on our hands. That’s what the NDP, the media and the federal Liberals were looking for and want. We simply couldn’t allow that to happen.”
I fully support the Premier’s recent call to avoid the divisive political rhetoric during what we all hope is the final period of this pandemic, and will continue the important work of government in protecting Albertans from this virus.
— Kaycee Madu, KC, ECA (@KayceeMaduYEG) May 11, 2021
Then, on Monday, Madu’s spokesman declined to explain the minister’s comments but added that he won’t apologize for stating the obvious.
Following the story, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded on Tuesday, saying it’s a shame to see people “suggesting that anyone in Canada wants anything else than to get through this pandemic as safely as possible.”
RELATED: PM says Madu comments claiming politicians, media wanted COVID-19 disaster are a ‘shame’
Trudeau also said the feds are working with provincial and local governments to bring the pandemic under control.
“That’s certainly what the media is focused on as well. I think playing politics at this point is just not what Canadians want to see.”
The apology also comes just hours after Alberta Premier Jason Kenney responded to a question regarding Madu’s comments during Tuesday’s COVID-19 update.
Here's Premier Kenney's reponse when asked about Madu's comments that the federal Liberals, the opposition NDP and the media wanted the pandemic to be a disaster.
(Kenney says he hasn't seen the comments yet.)#yeG #yyc #ableg #covid19ab pic.twitter.com/cD8cueO1A5
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) May 11, 2021
Kenney said that he hadn’t seen the comments but would look at them and talk to the Justice Minister.
