British Columbia

B.C. Premier John Horgan calls Alberta premier's comments on unvaccinated 'laughable'

British Columbia Premier John Horgan says it's "laughable'' for the new premier of Alberta to suggest unvaccinated people are the most discriminated against group in her lifetime.

Danielle Smith promises to amend provincial human rights law to protect those who choose not to get vaccinated

John Horgan gestures at a podium. He is a white man with a white moustache.
Premier John Horgan told Victoria radio station CFAX that it's 'laughable' for Alberta's new premier to suggest unvaccinated people are the most discriminated against group in her lifetime. (Chad Hipolito/The Canadian Press)

British Columbia Premier John Horgan says it's "laughable'' for the new premier of Alberta to suggest unvaccinated people are the most discriminated against group in her lifetime.

Horgan, who will step down as B.C. premier later this year, made the comments in an interview with CFAX Radio in Victoria.

Danielle Smith was sworn in Tuesday as Alberta's new premier after the United Conservative Party elected her in a leadership race to replace Jason Kenney as leader and premier.

Smith, who is 51, says she will shake up the top tier of the health system within three months and amend provincial human rights law to protect those who choose not to get vaccinated.

Danielle Smith waves to the crowd.
Danielle Smith celebrates after being chosen as the new leader of the United Conservative Party and the next Alberta premier in Calgary, Alta, on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)

Duane Bratt, a political scientist at Mount Royal University in Calgary, says Smith's comments would be laughable if she weren't the premier of Alberta.

He says Smith's comments are offensive because there was still forced sterilization and residential schools in her lifetime.

Bratt notes that gay marriage also wasn't legal across the country until 2005.