At a Glance

Alberta’s Universities Announce Campus Health Measures

The University of Alberta, University of Calgary, and University of Lethbridge have announced their new COVID-19 protocols for the upcoming school year. Starting September 1st, all those attending those campuses will be required to either undergo regular rapid testing or be fully vaccinated. Additionally, masks will be mandatory in all public indoor areas. 

Those who test positive or have symptoms of COVID-19 will be required to isolate for 10 days from the onset of symptoms or until they receive a negative COVID-19 test result. These measures are part of a coordinated approach by the three research-intensive universities in order to ensure a safe return to in-person learning. 

Brooks Mayor Runs for Alberta Party Leadership

Barry Morishita has announced his intentions to run for the leadership of the Alberta Party. Following his registration as the sole candidate for leader, Morishita stepped down from his role as the President of the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association. Nominations for the party’s leadership race opened May 25th and will close August 31st, with the vote taking place this fall on November 6th.

Concerns Raised about Indigenous Ballot Access

As part of the municipal election on October 18th, Albertans will be asked to vote on provincial items which include the two referendum questions and Senate nominees. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs has indicated that arrangements will not be made to have polling stations on reserves across the province. The ministry has confirmed that those living on reserve will need to travel to the nearest municipality or mail in their ballot. 

In a Global News article, Adam North Peigan (a member of the Piikani First Nation), said that “The minister responsible for the referendums in the province of Alberta should have a duty to ensure that those First Nations that are going to be affected, have the opportunity to vote within our own communities.”

Alberta Names Chief Firearms Officer

The province has implemented Recommendation 15 written in the Fair Deal Report released last summer. Teri Bryant has become the first appointee to the position of Chief Firearms Officer and will be responsible for the oversight of sections of the federal Firearms Act and regulations which the province may opt-in to administer. Included in these responsibilities are the oversight of licences and registrations, maintaining provincial safety training standards, and working with law enforcement to maintain public safety.

In the government’s press release, they indicate that Bryant is a former member of the Alberta Firearms Advisory Committee and was a 16-year secretary of the Alberta Arms and Cartridge Collectors Association. She is currently the president of the Military Collectors Club of Canada and worked with the University of Calgary as an associate professor with the Haskayne School of Business. 

New Diesel Refinery Coming to Capital Region

The Edmonton-area will soon be home to the largest renewable diesel complex in the country. Imperial Oil is building a facility that will use a combination of local crops and blue hydrogen to produce renewable diesel fuel. Imperial indicates that the facility could remove around 3 million tonnes in annual CO2 emissions while producing up to one billion litres of fuel per year. 

Province Responds to My Health Records Issues

With news that many companies (including some of Alberta’s major events venues) will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter their facilities, residents have been struggling to access their digital immunization history. Signing up for the app My Health Records involves a 10-day turnaround time for a confirmation code before Albertans are able to access their digital records. 

Alberta Health has indicated that they are actively working to make those records easier to access. Although residents can use the physical documents they received at the time of their second dose as proof, an Alberta Health spokesperson has said that residents will be able to print off a paper card proving immunization. Health Minister Tyler Shandro wrote in a Tweet that “to be clear, the Alberta government has not and will not mandate a so-called ‘vaccine passport’ for domestic use.”