A Liberal MP from Toronto says he’s baffled by the Alberta government’s response to his private member’s bill about pandemic preparedness.

Nate Erskine-Smith’s bill, called “an act respecting pandemic prevention and preparedness,” is currently before the Senate.

The legislation would require the federal health minister to create a pandemic preparedness and prevention plan in co-ordination with federal and provincial public health, manufacturing, agriculture and environmental officials.

Last Week, Alberta Agriculture Minister RJ Sigurdson said the bill would devastate the province’s agriculture sector and threaten food security worldwide.

Sigurdson said the legislation would give public health officials the power to shut down livestock and meat processing facilities without valid reasoning.

Erskine-Smith says Sigurdson made false claims, as the legislation wouldn’t grant public health officials or the federal government any new authority.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 28, 2024.

Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press