Alberta premier apologizes to ‘unvaccinated’, seeks to drop charges against lockdown defiers

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith Saturday issued a public apology to those who refused the COVID-19 shots and were persecuted by the government for their choice. 

Smith made the remarks in response to a question from Rebel News’ Selen Galas at a press conference, who asked the premier about a promise she made during her campaign for the premiership. 

“During your campaign you said that not only would you issue an apology to those prosecuted during COVID restrictions, but you would also grant them amnesty. When can we expect those apologies?” asked Galas. 

“I can apologize right now,” Smith replied. "I’m deeply sorry for anyone who was inappropriately subjected to discrimination as a result of their vaccine status, I’m deeply sorry. For any government employee that was fired from their job, because of their vaccine status, and I welcome them back if they want to come back.” 

She also affirmed her intent to grant amnesty to those who refused to comply with COVID restrictions, but says she needs to get “legal advice” first. 

“As for the amnesty I need to get some legal advice on that. I’ve asked my staff to request that advice so I can see how we would be able to proceed on that. My view has been that these were political decisions that were made. And so I think that they can be political decisions to offer a reversal. But I do want to get some legal advice on that first.” 

Smith said that she would grant the amnesty “at the earliest opportunity” and hopes to get that legal advice within the next week. 

Just after being sworn in to office earlier this month, Smith sparked outrage when she called those who refused the injections "the most discriminated against group that I've ever witnessed in my lifetime." 

“I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a situation in my lifetime where a person was fired from their job or not allowed to watch their kids play hockey or not allowed to go visit a loved one in long-term care or hospital, not allowed to get on a plane to either go across the country to see family or even travel across the border,” she said. 

While Smith is the first major political figure to issue an apology to those persecuted during COVID-19, one would be hard-pressed to know it if Google had it’s way. 

As of this report, a Google search for “Alberta premier apologizes” only yields results for a five-day-old story about Smith apologizing for comments she made on Ukraine. It is not until the third page that one comes across any mention of Smith’s Saturday remarks. 

Mainstream media, including CNN, MSNBC and ABC News have yet to cover the story.