In a tweet responding to news of the federal government’s possible end to border requirements for COVID-19, Kaycee Madu said the measure was “never about science but about political control and power.” “Thank you to all those citizens, the convoys of freedom, who had the courage to mobilize against these tyrannical policies,” read the remark on Madu’s Twitter account on Tuesday. “They endured a lot of hate, abuse, suffering and vilification on behalf of all of us. I thank them!” continued the tweet from the former solicitor general and justice minister. The comment came after it was reported on Tuesday that the federal government is leaning toward removing the vaccine requirement for people entering Canada — ending random COVID-19 testing at airports — and making use of the ArriveCan app optional by the end of this year month. Such travel restrictions were among the pandemic measures that sparked major protests earlier this year, including those that blocked roads in Ottawa for several weeks and blocked international borders, such as in Coutts, Alta. It was never about science but about political control and power. I thank all those citizens, convoys of freedom, who had the courage to mobilize against these tyrannical policies. They endured a lot of hate, abuse, suffered and are slandered on behalf of all of us. I thank them! https://t.co/E9talumDtW — @KayceeMaduYEG Four men have been charged with conspiracy to kill RCMP officers following arrests in Coutts in February. Alberta protesters also opposed a number of COVID-19 rules introduced in the province, including mask mandates, vaccine requirements, concentration limits and business restrictions. Everything has since been removed. Madu has previously expressed support for at least some of these public health measures. In May 2021, Madu posted in the comments section of another user’s Facebook page that his government needed to impose stricter public health measures or risk leaving Albertans “in fields and makeshift hospitals, gasping because we have [run] without respirators, manpower, etc.’ On Wednesday, when asked about Madu’s comments, Premier Jason Kenney said he does not follow Twitter and suggested that if journalists want to hear the minister’s “views or clarifications from him” they should talk to him. CBC News has reached out to Madu’s press office for further comment. Kenney said his administration was steadfastly opposed to “unnecessary” federal travel restrictions, especially those implemented in December of last year and still in place. However, he stood by the decisions made by his own government. “Our commitment to Albertans has been to not allow our hospitals to be overwhelmed,” Kenney said. “We’ve made some difficult decisions at various times to reduce transmission, and we’ve had difficult decisions to make, like any government in any part of the world.” He said Alberta had the least restrictive COVID regime in Canada. A protester walks through an encampment near Parliament Hill, Ottawa, shortly before being arrested on February 17. (Evan Mitsui/CBC) While Kenney didn’t take issue with Madu’s remarks about “freedom convoys,” NDP Leader Rachel Notley said they shouldn’t be getting kudos from the former UCP justice minister. “Coutts ban was illegal,” he tweeted. Laurie Williams, professor of political studies at Mount Royal University, said she was surprised a former justice minister would make such “cavalier” remarks. “It struck me that a former justice minister would support the activities of people who, some of whom, broke laws, some of whom violated the rights and freedoms of other Canadians,” he said. “Decisions made are primarily based on health care.” Earlier this year, Madu was ousted as Alberta’s justice minister after an investigation found he tried to interfere with the administration of justice. An investigation was launched in January after revelations that Madu had called Edmonton Police Chief Dale McFee to discuss a $300 driving ticket he received on March 10, 2021. Because of the report’s findings. Kenney felt that Madu should no longer be justice minister but would remain in the cabinet.
