Dear Food Store

Check out Calgary Co-Op’s Website to learn what an amazing company they are. They are so proud of the member privileges that they offer. It seems that segregated membership and police state security thuggery are new features of their prized membership program.

https://www.calgarycoop.com/membership/

Hello Mina Jones,

  I was told by customer service at the Airdrie Co-Op that you are the manager of this location. If this is not the case, please forward this letter on to someone who will address my concerns.  I am writing you to express concerns of the appalling treatment a friend and I received at the Airdrie Co-Op.

On Jan.1, 2022, my friend and I entered the store to make a purchase. I am a member. My family had been members since the 1970’s in the Edmonton area. I still remember the Co-Op #. It was 7499. I only renewed a personal membership last year because I had enjoyed some hassle free shopping, especially during the periods of mandates and lockdowns.

  My friend has a mask exemption. I am unable to wear face coverings for health reasons. Until I die, I will be Stage 4, Palliative with a rare form of Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I am currently living beyond my 6-12 month prognosis which was given to me 14 months ago. Face coverings interfere with my breathing and immune system which is already severely compromised. Shields are doable but interfere with my eyesight. In the last two years, I have had struggles with stores wanting to support the mandate, fair, legal or not but have managed to avoid unpleasantness with few exceptions. Hopefully people like me will be able to buy food going forward without having to comply with harsher restrictions. Other countries are already forcing food retailers to demand injection status for food access. I hope we don’t go there.

  My friend and I entered the store at noon roughly. We were met at the entrance by a uniformed security guard. He asked us if we had a mask. I replied that I could not wear them. My friend said that she had an exemption. We went to the bakery to buy a baguette which we could not find so we settled on some French Crusty Rolls. While we were looking for the baguettes, I was suddenly approached by what turned out to be plain clothed security guards who started asking us about why we weren’t wearing masks. I went through the usual routine before I had the presence of mind to ask them who they were. I at first though we were about to be hassled by other customers which would not be surprising. I had to ask them if they were some kind of security but at that time they would not produce ID. They were also not following social distancing requirements and were well in my face and within the six foot ‘rule’.  I should mention that the taller of the two started asking us why we came in wearing scarves as if to assume we were trying to dodge the mask requirement. You might remember that January 1, 2022 was about -28 with the wind chill. Security ‘guards’ have no business accosting customers in this way or asking about our medical information. Even with their masks on, it was easy to see that they were smirking under them, like they were having fun with us or excited to assault their marks. Was this their first assignment?  I reminded them that they are required to identify themselves if they attempt to interfere with shoppers and told them that we found what we wanted and were leaving. I also said something about how masks were harmful to me and to them as well.

After this exchange, my friend and I headed to the checkouts with the unprofessional security ‘guards’ in hot pursuit. We decided to take a quick look around to see if we could find the elusive baguette. They followed us to the checkouts and stood behind us, again within the six feet. At that point I asked them to produce some ID. Only the tall one did but I did not note the information on it. I was already a bit rattled and disgusted. As I was paying, a surly looking bearded man approached the checkout, also within the six feet, and asked me if there was a problem. I think I may have said ‘only if you make it one’. I was pulling out what I thought was my membership card, producing my Air Miles card. The bearded, surly man seemed to enjoy telling me that ‘that wasn’t a Co-Op card. I pulled out the right card and asked if that one was okay. At no time did the bearded, surly man identify himself. I completed my purchase. I should mention that young Savanah, who rang through our order, was pleasant and courteous in spite of being clearly rattled by the scene. Why retailers persist in putting their staff in these situations is not easily explained and seldom discussed. The masked and smirking ‘guards’ followed us out of the store as did several staff, in victory perhaps.

  I’m not sure if this is relevant to you but my friend and I were in the parking lot on the north side of your store, in -30 C to support some front line nurses that were having a small rally. We did not organize this event. The event was not against Co-Op that we were aware of and there was no-one from the store or the RCMP to tell us that this was an unlawful event. We assumed that it was okay with Co-Op.

  Even if Co-Op had suspicions as to the nature of this event, there was no need or cause to try and intimidate, harass, and commit what amounts to assault against paying customers and members.

  I fully expect some kind of  meaningful response to my concerns in a timely manner. I am unsure at this point whether or not I take this matter further.

Sincerely,

Alfred Neitsch

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