Alberta Medical Association Critiques COVID-19 Task Force Report

The Alberta Medical Association (AMA) has expressed strong criticism of a recent report concerning the Alberta government's management of the COVID-19 pandemic. This report was produced by a task force established by the United Conservative Party (UCP) government and consists of 268 pages.

The task force, made up of 13 members including individuals known for opposing public health measures, quietly released its findings on an Alberta government website on January 24, 2025. The report outlines numerous recommendations for the provincial government, notably calling for an immediate cessation of COVID-19 vaccinations, the lifting of mask mandates, and advocating for herd immunity. It also supports alternative treatments such as ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine.

As of now, the Alberta government has not made any decisions regarding the report and is in the process of reviewing its contents.

Dr. Shelly Duggan, president of the AMA and a critical care specialist in Edmonton, labeled the report "anti-science and anti-evidence". She warned that following the recommendations could lead to significant harm, arguing that the preventative public health measures employed throughout the pandemic saved millions of lives. Dr. Duggan further criticized the report for promoting misinformation and undermining the extensive scientific consensus that has emerged globally regarding COVID-19 management.

Dr. James Talbot, a former Chief Medical Officer of Health for Alberta, echoed this sentiment, stating that had this report been submitted by an undergraduate student, it would have received a failing grade. He emphasized that crucial data—such as daily COVID-19 deaths, hospitalization numbers, and the impact of the virus on the health care system—were notably absent from the report's narrative.

Dr. Talbot highlighted the importance of vaccine safety and effectiveness, noting that billions of doses have been administered worldwide, supported by an unprecedented volume of data confirming their safety. He criticized the report for its ongoing unjustified skepticism surrounding vaccination efficacy.

The Alberta government has announced it will thoroughly review the task force report, but this has not appeased the opposition. The Alberta NDP has criticized the $2 million spent on the task force, arguing that funds could have been more effectively utilized elsewhere, such as for surgical procedures at local hospitals.

As the government proceeds with its review, Alberta's health minister reiterated that no policy decisions regarding the report's recommendations have yet been made.

Alberta, COVID-19, Health