AB Today – Daily Report March 23, 2020
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AB Today – Daily Report March 23, 2020 Quotation of the day “If we are replicating everything Churchill did, well then let’s really go all-in on our 1940s cosplay. Churchill also had an all-party war cabinet, of which Labour was a part.” NDP Finance critic Shannon Phillips says Premier Jason Kenney invoking the British parliament sitting as the Luftwaffe dropped bombs during World War II doesn’t quite align with the COVID-19 pandemic. Today in AB On the schedule MLAs are scheduled to reconvene at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, the same day the federal government is expected to further detail a $27-billion aid package designed to buttress the economy during the coronavirus pandemic. The United Conservative government is expected to bring forward new measures to enforce COVID-19 isolation and social distancing this week, as well as other emergency measures. Government house leader Jason Nixon told reporters Thursday the house will also continue to debate other government legislation, such as a bill to combat human trafficking. NDP Finance critic Shannon Phillips has called for the house to be adjourned and criticized the UCP for an emergency declaration that exempted the legislature’s chamber from public gathering limits. “After the Budget passed, it became clear that Mr. Kenney’s real agenda was actually to keep the Legislature running indefinitely,” she wrote, in a Facebook post. “The Premier has indicated that as long as the pandemic is occurring, the Legislature should continue to debate bills. This puts a lie to the claim that there was any need to pass a Budget on an emergency basis.” Friday’s debates and proceedings The house sat Friday to pass Bill 9, Emergency Management Amendment Act, which received unanimous approval. The bill gives the provincial government more authority to implement provincewide emergency response measures, since the Emergency Management Amendment Act was mostly designed to address localized disasters such as flooding or wildfires. For the first time in nearly 30 years, the Alberta legislature held question period on a Friday. Premier watch Premier Jason Kenney is the first face in a public service announcement asking people to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which included retired hockey stars Wayne Gretzky and Jarome Iginla and country singer Paul Brandt. One of the video’s other participants, former Wildrose Party leader turned radio host Danielle Smith, came under fire on social media for promoting the use of an anti-malarial drug for COVID-19. Smith made the false claim that it could cure “100% of coronavirus patients within 6 days of treatment.” She later apologized and deleted her tweet. “I apologize for any undue anxiety and frustration my words caused,” Smith wrote. “I will be more careful in future.” Kenney announced the membership of two new councils — a council on charities and civil societies and a 12-member mid-to-long term economic council chaired by Jack Mintz that includes former prime minister Stephen Harper. (A full list of members is provided below.) Alberta Justice to bring forward enforcement measures for #COVIDIOTS The province’s justice department is poised to announce measures to enforce social distancing after some members of the public have failed to follow public health recommendations. Deputy chief medical officer of health Dr. Marcia Johnson said Alberta Justice is working to finalize enforcement measures, such as fines. Details are expected later this week. “A plan is in place and will be starting to roll out over the next week that would allow public health inspectors to monitor large groups in restaurants and businesses,” she said. “ On Saturday, federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu warned those failing to obey public health guidelines are putting all Canadians’ civil liberties in jeopardy. Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec and Ontario have already adopted measures that allow police to fine and arrest people who aren't following the instructions of public health officials to slow the spread of coronavirus. On Friday, Quebec City police arrested a woman who tested positive for the virus for being out in the city despite a quarantine order. Cases rise over the weekend, Calgary remains most affected The total number of COVID-19 cases in the provinces jumped to 259 on Sunday, an increase of 33 over the previous day. Thus far, 164 reported cases are in the Calgary zone, 60 are in the Edmonton zone and 35 are elsewhere. There are currently 18 patients in hospital and seven in ICU, including a friend of the premier. Alberta has recorded one death as a result of the outbreak. There are three confirmed recovered cases. The government confirmed 31 cases on Saturday, which means both weekend days fell short of Friday’s announcement of 49 new cases. One designated visitor allowed in seniors’ homes The province has limited visits to assisted living, long-term care facilities, nursing homes, auxiliary hospitals and lodges. Residents of these facilities will be allowed to deem one designated adult an “essential visitor” who is allowed to enter their facility. (Essential visitors must undergo health screenings.) In the case of someone who is dying, the chief medical officer of health has the authority to decide who among a dying resident’s family, religious leaders or friends will be allowed to visit the resident, and only one can visit at a time. Topics of conversation ● DBRS Morningstar has downgraded the province’s long-term debt rating to AA (low) from AA and its short-term debt rating to R-1 (middle) from R-1 (high). ○ The trend on Alberta’s short-term debt has been lowered from stable to negative. ○ “DBRS Morningstar believes that Alberta’s credit profile is no longer consistent with a AA rating and that risks remain firmly tilted toward the downside,” the ratings agency said Thursday night. ○ Based on the fiscal projections in the UCP’s February budget, the 2020–21 deficit may exceed four per cent of GDP and the debt-to-GDP ratio could climb above 30% in 2020–21 alone, per DBRS. ○ The agency pointed to “uncertainty,” noting “Alberta has yet to outline a full fiscal policy response.” ● Some licensed daycares will reopen today in order to give priority access to core service workers in health care and infrastructure. The first ones will be located close to health-care facilities. ● Alberta Medical Association president Christine Molnar said the government did not consult with health professionals on Babylon, its new health-care app rolled out by Telus, and complained it is staffed by a small number of doctors who don’t have access to patient records. ○ “It is in effect a virtual walk in clinic,” Molnar said, again calling on the government to allow all physicians to provide virtual care for their patients. ● The University of Calgary has confirmed two people on campus have tested positive, leading it to shut down all but critical research. Any students who can move out of their residence are expected to by today. ○ The University of Alberta announced on Saturday that students who live in residence will have to move out by Tuesday, with exceptions made for those unable to travel home. The U of A community announced its first case on North Campus. ● A group of approximately 30 nurses walked out of assessment clinics in Edmonton because they were not provided with N95 masks. ○ Nurses in the assessment centres were provided with masks when they conducted swabs to test for COVID-19, but not N95s, which are more effective but facing global shortages. ○ Federal guidelines do not require the use of N95 respirators when conducting the swab, but the United Nurses of Alberta union said there are conflicting opinions on the effectiveness of personal protective equipment, they must practice the precautionary principle. ○ An AHS spokesperson told the CBC it is following the federal Public Health guideline, adding “we are confident that the guidelines and equipment we have in place will protect our workers from exposure to COVID." ● The number of positive cases of COVID-19 grows in connection to a curling bonspiel of western Canadian physicians held in Edmonton from March 11 to March 14. ○ Saskatchewan’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Shaqib Shahab said 11 of the 22 people from Saskatchewan who attended the bonspiel tested positive. ● Premier Jason Kenney confirmed the province will be providing money and staff to set up overflow homeless shelters so those facing homelessness can practice social distancing. Isolation rooms will be included for people who test positive for COVID-19. ○ The Edmonton EXPO centre will be used as overflow. ○ Calgary has multiple backup locations available. ● Premier Jason Kenney called on landlords to be compassionate, but said a blanket ban on evictions would lead to problems with tenants engaged in vandalism or other crime. ○ He said a freeze on rent would harm mom and pop landlords. ○ In question period, NDP Leader Rachel Notley said asking landlords to be understanding does not go far enough and called for a ban on evictions during the pandemic. News briefs Government announces first steps for energy recovery ● The province announced it will fund the Alberta Energy Regulator levy to the tune of $113 million for six months. ○ They are also giving extensions to oil and gas tenures, extending expiring mineral agreements by one year. ○ The government has also extended a previously announced $100-million loan to the Orphan Well Association. ○ “By providing industry with more options, in the short-term they are able to maintain operations and protect jobs,” Energy Minister Sonya Savage said. Appointments and employments Economic Recovery Council ● Premier Jason Kenney announced the members of the province’s new Economic Recovery Council, which will be chaired by economist Jack Mintz.