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Premier Jason Kenney is doing a Facebook Live to answer questions about new COVID-19 restrictions and whatever else may come up.
He is currently showing off a stack of bills.
Watch here: https://www.facebook.com/kenneyjasont/videos/?ref=page_internal #ableg #abpoli #yeg
He is currently showing off a stack of bills.
Watch here: https://www.facebook.com/kenneyjasont/videos/?ref=page_internal #ableg #abpoli #yeg
First Q about how businesses can survive when forced to shut down. Kenney says his gov't has been "viciously attacked" in recent days for not bringing in a lock down. Says it would cost lives and livelihoods.
(I'm going to do my best to live-tweet but I am also listening to the police scanners.)
Kenney says it's clear they should only restrict the ability to make a livelihood if it is a last resort and we are now at that stage today.
He says the restrictions announced yesterday were made against their "strongest inclinations" because there has been a 600% growth in hospitalizations in just five weeks and if that continues, health system would be under "unsustainable pressure."
Kenney referencing Australia's pandemic response and says it became a "quasi-police state" where there was arrests of people and journalists (???) CC: @EmmaLGraney who keeps up to date on Aussie news
Next Q on 15% capacity for retail and if it includes staff. Kenney is asking his folks to check with the department of health (I assume they will get back to the questioner in the comments).
Says retail can have a minimum of five customers
Says retail can have a minimum of five customers
Another Q on family visitors during Christmas. Kenney says Hinshaw will speak about that this week, we might follow other jurisdictions with a 14-day quarantine requirement and to stay tuned.
And re: previous question, 15% capacity does not include staff!
And re: previous question, 15% capacity does not include staff!
Q on vaccination and if you already had COVID-19 do you still get it? Kenney says there is 1 vaccine so far approved by Health Canada (Pfizer-BioNTech) and anticipating Moderna's will be as well. Both require two doses.
Q on plan for schools in the new year if cases don't stabilize. Both K-6 and 7-12 are scheduled to come back to in person learning on Jan. 11. (7-12 has been learning at home)
Keeping schools open is a key priority Kenney says.
Keeping schools open is a key priority Kenney says.
Ok brief pause here on my end, we got an update on a homicide from yesterday!
Kenney says he has a friend who died by suicide earlier this year and believes it was related to the stresses of the pandemic/economic situation.
A question about military deployment to help with COVID-19 efforts, as reported by CBC: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/military-reservists-possible-prairie-deployment-1.5832023
Kenney says it is "fake news" and a "complete fabrication" and the ask has not been made.
Kenney says it is "fake news" and a "complete fabrication" and the ask has not been made.
Kenney says he's not aware of a single jurisdiction anywhere in the world with a short, sharp, two-week lockdown.
He says they "desperately hope" and "believe" the measures announced yesterday will bend the curve but it won't happen in two weeks, it's why they're in place for 4. And if the same had been announced two weeks ago, there still probably would be in place over Xmas
Kenney now quotes Hinshaw during a phone call they were both on and says she said as a physician, she chooses the most minimally invasive medical procedure to treat someone, and this is an analogy of how they are basing their COVID response
Q on what happens with anti-mask rallies? Kenney says he can't direct law enforcement on enforcing the law. He thinks it is "totally irresponsible" at this time for people to be gathering in large numbers, esp. without physically distancing and wearing masks
He understands people want to express how they feel but there are numerous ways to do that. They can send Kenney emails and letters and comments on Facebook, he even suggests doing a drive-by rally
Q whether vaccines will be mandatory and if there will be a vaccine "passport" as part of the plan. Kenney says no and no.
He says he doesn't know what a vaccine passport is, but it is illegal based on the privacy act to ask someone whether they received a vaccine or not
Q on not being prepared for 2nd wave. Kenney says they were prepared. They prepped their stock piles of medical equipment and are hiring more contact tracers.
Kenney keeps saying there is an announcement tomorrow on the vaccine but Shandro spoke today about the plan for Alberta's vaccine rollout. https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/dr-deena-hinshaw-to-give-update-on-covid-19-in-alberta-at-330-p-m
Q on more surprise restrictions. Kenney says he hopes not but if Albertans don't follow the rules, they will be left with no choice to impose more. "It's up to Albertans"
A viewer says if we had mandatory masks in March, we wouldn't be in this position. Kenney says there are jurisdictions with MM that are in worse position than Alberta, especially with deaths
Kenney asked about restrictions violating charter rights. Is dismayed that the NDP dismisses it. "Of course they do," Kenney says.
@reportrix wrote about this exact issue. https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/stronger-covid-19-restrictions-in-alberta-not-forbidden-by-the-charter-legal-experts
@reportrix wrote about this exact issue. https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/stronger-covid-19-restrictions-in-alberta-not-forbidden-by-the-charter-legal-experts
He brings up the FLQ crisis and bringing in martial law.
Still on charter rights here but using example of places of worship, Kenney says there is freedom of religion guaranteed in the constitution and freedom of worship is part of that. B/c any gathering could lead to spread, this is why capacity numbers are restricted to 15%.
It is limited but not completely violated "like other jurisdictions have done."
Q whether it's allowed for a construction worker to go into people's homes and Kenney said it is OK.
On outdoor gatherings, Kenney says *private* outdoor social gatherings are prohibited. Skating on a pond is not a social gatherings, passing neighbours and friends on a walk is not a social gathering, but if 10 best buds come together in the backyard for beers, that is a SG.
Ooh now for a rapid round! Kenney will try to answer in 30 seconds or less
Kenney says there's no realistic way to police restrictions without coming a police state like other jurisdictions. If people want to avoid that, gotta act responsibly
