The National Citizen’s Inquiry, which is examining federal and provincial government COVID-19 policies, will hold hearings in Red Deer from April 26 to 28.
Launched by former Reform Party leader Preston Manning last November, Manning is no longer the spokesperson for the citizen-led inquiry.
In January, Premier Danielle Smith made Manning the chair of a panel that will review the Alberta government’s COVID-19 response.
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According to the NCI website, COVID-19 interventions by government impacted the physical and mental health, civil liberties, fundamental freedoms, livelihoods, and overall social and economic well-being of all Canadians. The social impacts, business bankruptcies, delayed healthcare and avoidable deaths due to lockdowns, restrictions, and mandates have been profound. The fracturing of families and communities, and the erosion of fundamental Charter rights, merits a thorough and comprehensive investigation.
Since March, hearings have been held in Nova Scotia, Toronto, and three days of hearings will wrap up in Winnipeg on Saturday.
Next week hearings will be held for two days in Saskatoon, before coming to Red Deer.
Hearings are also being scheduled for Victoria, Vancouver, Quebec, and Ottawa.
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“The inquiry will examine the consequences on public and personal health, rights and freedoms, on specific demographic groups such as the aged and our children, and the economy. Those testifying before the inquiry will also be asked for recommendations for how Canada’s response in matters as this could be better managed in the future,” said Manning in a statement issued Nov. 2, 2022.
During the inquiry, which is independent from government, experts and citizens will present evidence to commissioners.
Hearings are broadcast live at nationalcitizensinquiry.ca.
