Alberta Premier facing criticism for Wuhan bat soup comments in year-end interview
WUHAN BATS DID NOT OPEN ALBERTA FOR SUMMER
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| TYLER SHANDRO MINISTER OF HEALTH |
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| KENNEY UCP FUNDRAISING HAT |
By JOSH RITCHIE
Posted Dec 24, 2021
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney is under fire for comments he made during a year-end interview that was published online earlier this week.
The article saw Kenney do a one-on-one with Rick Bell of Postmedia where he talked about the current state of the pandemic, his government’s response to COVID and what’s to come in the months ahead.
But, when asked about what the province can expect moving forward, Kenney had some controversial remarks on the topic.
“Who knows what the next variant that gets thrown up is? I don’t know. And what’s the next bat soup thing out of Wuhan? I don’t know.
“I’ve learned from bitter experience not to make predictions about this.”
His response immediately caught the attention of people on social media, including Alberta’s Opposition Leader, Rachel Notley.
“We have workers, we have Albertans young and old, students, public servants who actually continue to live in fear,” explained Teresa Woo-Paw with the Act2EndRacism National Network. “They are actually concerned about their personal safety.”
Following the backlash, the premier’s office went on defence, saying in a statement to CityNews:
“The Premier’s comment obviously referred to the widely reported theory that the first human infection of COVID-19 resulted from transmission between an infected bat and a human in the Wuhan region of China. The World Health Organization has concluded that direct spread from bats to humans in Wuhan is a ‘likely’ scenario to explain the beginning of human transmission.
“It is obviously ridiculous to suggest that these widely reported scientific theories are ‘racist.’”
But, to many, the ridiculous part of this all is to suggest that Kenney’s remarks are not racist.
“His word is actually causing an adverse impact on a group of people. That is racial discrimination,” said Woo-Paw.
– With files from CityNews reporter Sarah Chew
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney is under fire for comments he made during a year-end interview that was published online earlier this week.
The article saw Kenney do a one-on-one with Rick Bell of Postmedia where he talked about the current state of the pandemic, his government’s response to COVID and what’s to come in the months ahead.
But, when asked about what the province can expect moving forward, Kenney had some controversial remarks on the topic.
“Who knows what the next variant that gets thrown up is? I don’t know. And what’s the next bat soup thing out of Wuhan? I don’t know.
“I’ve learned from bitter experience not to make predictions about this.”
His response immediately caught the attention of people on social media, including Alberta’s Opposition Leader, Rachel Notley.
“We have workers, we have Albertans young and old, students, public servants who actually continue to live in fear,” explained Teresa Woo-Paw with the Act2EndRacism National Network. “They are actually concerned about their personal safety.”
Following the backlash, the premier’s office went on defence, saying in a statement to CityNews:
“The Premier’s comment obviously referred to the widely reported theory that the first human infection of COVID-19 resulted from transmission between an infected bat and a human in the Wuhan region of China. The World Health Organization has concluded that direct spread from bats to humans in Wuhan is a ‘likely’ scenario to explain the beginning of human transmission.
“It is obviously ridiculous to suggest that these widely reported scientific theories are ‘racist.’”
But, to many, the ridiculous part of this all is to suggest that Kenney’s remarks are not racist.
“His word is actually causing an adverse impact on a group of people. That is racial discrimination,” said Woo-Paw.
– With files from CityNews reporter Sarah Chew
What did Jason Kenney say? Alberta premier’s racist comment sparks backlash online
Alberta premier Jason Kenney recently came under fire after making alleged racist comments against the Chinese community during a year-end interview with Postmedia‘s Rick Bell.
During the interview, the Canadian politician addressed concerns related to the new variants of COVID-19 and talked about China’s Wuhan province, where the virus was first detected:“Who knows what the next variant that gets thrown up is? I don’t know. And what’s the next bat soup thing out of Wuhan? I don’t know. I’ve learned from bitter experience not to make predictions about this.”\
The remarks were immediately condemned on social media, with other political leaders like Rachel Notley and Mary Ng demanding an apology from the premier.
Alberta premier Jason Kenney recently came under fire after making alleged racist comments against the Chinese community during a year-end interview with Postmedia‘s Rick Bell.
During the interview, the Canadian politician addressed concerns related to the new variants of COVID-19 and talked about China’s Wuhan province, where the virus was first detected:“Who knows what the next variant that gets thrown up is? I don’t know. And what’s the next bat soup thing out of Wuhan? I don’t know. I’ve learned from bitter experience not to make predictions about this.”\
Still no apology from Jason Kenney for his racist comments in a newspaper column that ran yesterday.These comments spread hate and fear at a time when, perhaps more than ever before, Albertans need to come together.Premier, apologize and denounce racism in all forms. #ableg
The remarks were immediately condemned on social media, with other political leaders like Rachel Notley and Mary Ng demanding an apology from the premier.
Several social media users took to Twitter to call out the premiere for his controversial statements:
I still remember being accused of having SARS when I came back from the Philippines back in 2002-2004. I was a kid, getting yelled at for eating bats and snakes. It was racist then. It’s still racist Jason Kenney.Jason Kenney is racist & unfit to lead Alberta @jkenney
This is the second time during the pandemic that @jkenney has deliberately targeted the Asian community with racist comments. Time to step down or be removed. You are an embarrassment to normal Albertans. twitter.com/KevinCTV/statu…
Jason Kenney making racist comments is a feature, not a bug.
Jason Kenney made a racist remark; I am not surprised. Albertans who voted for him and his party knew this about him and many will probably vote for him again. #ableg
Mary Ng, the Liberal Member of Parliament for Markham-Thornhill, took exception with Kenney's "irresponsible" use of "anti-Asian racist tropes."
Even Calgary’s own Andrew Phung from the popular TV show Kim’s Convenience chimed in.
Actor and comedian Andrew Phung called Kenney's racist comments the latest in the long list of the premier's failures.
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