Thread by @RachelNotley

CERB recipients and our Official Opposition Caucus have been calling for an apology since the video surfaced Tuesday in which UCP MLA for Lac Ste. Anne-Parkland Shane Getson claimed that CERB recipients used the money to purchase “cheezies”, watch “cartoons” and do drugs.

#ableg

After his comments surfaced, Getson issued a public statement in which he doubled down on his comments.

NDP Labour Critic Christina Gray noted the #UCP itself accessed a federal wage subsidy program to keep its party office running during the pandemic.

“The Albertans struggling during this pandemic, who were rightly offended by these hurtful comments, deserve an apology from Jason Kenney and Shane Getson.”
- @ChristinaNDP, NDP Labour Critic

The UCP have shown the depth of their hypocrisy with their decision to use a loophole to take taxpayer dollars to finance their debt-ridden party HQ and then choosing to support and actually endorse the public shaming of the one million Albertans who actually needed supports.

On Wednesday, NDP MLAs were joined by numerous CERB recipients to demand a formal apology from both Premier Kenney and Getson.

Jaime Morrow is a substitute teacher from Lacombe and wasn’t able to work after schools closed in March. Her husband Todd Fink lost his job as an electrician in February.

“The CERB is what kept a roof over my family's head and food in our stomachs for the past 6 months, as it did for many other Albertans,” said Morrow, who was also joined by her 4-year-old daughter Gemma. “This UCP government is completely devoid of empathy."

Maggie Carrier-Smith was due to start a Women’s Building Futures program as the COVID-19 lockdown was put in place. She was left with no option but to turn to CERB to support herself and two young kids.

“My only option was to access support money. There was nothing lavish about our lifestyle but it saved us the hardship of traumas that lead to more dependence and expense to the province, which is important for conservatives to keep in mind before they make disparaging comments.”

Eren Hendersen provides practical support to people with mental health and physical issues, driving them to and from appointments and assisting them in other ways. He also lost his job and turned to CERB. The funding allowed him to purchase medications he relies on.

“I was just absolutely gutted,” Hendersen said. “It’s just insulting beyond compare that he would make these kind of comments for a million Albertans. Many of these people, including myself, would have lost their homes without this funding.”

Eagan Johnston underwent surgery during the pandemic and then relied on CERB during the recovery period.

“I mean did I buy some cheezies as comfort food while I worried about a friend who had COVID-19,” Johnston said. "But the absolute vast majority of my CERB money went towards vital supports for me while I was unable to work. That money kept me fed, housed and safe."