At a Glance: May 27 - June 10

Alberta Unemployment Rate Drops

The unemployment rate in Alberta has dropped to an impressive 5.3%. The unemployment rate in the province is now sitting at its lowest point since 2014. "May’s job numbers reflect another month of strong economic momentum," said Jobs, Economy and Innovation Minister Doug Schweitzer in a statement. "We are diversifying and growing our economy while creating opportunities for Albertans.”

The Government of Alberta reported that in May, 69% of the country’s total job growth was in Alberta. Schweitzer added, “Alberta is back. More and more Canadians are recognizing this and are moving to our province at numbers not seen in seven or eight years. When paired with our nation-leading participation and employment rates, it is especially impressive that our unemployment continues to decline.”

Alberta’s Tourism Industry Struggles to Rebuild

It’s summertime in Alberta and the tourist industry in Alberta is struggling to find enough workers. This is a pain that has been felt across the province as tourist towns, museums, interactive displays, and more struggle to find enough staff to stay operational. Darren Reeder, a member of the Tourism Industry Association of Alberta said that “it could take up to ten years to get back to where we were pre-pandemic”. The tourism industry was hit particularly hard by the pandemic. Lengthy closures, overwhelming restrictions, and an inability to travel led to massive layoffs and in many cases, permanent closures.

More Privatized Medical Labs Coming to Alberta

The Alberta Government has welcomed the opening of private laboratory service facilities that will collect blood and other samples for medical testing. DynaLife Medical Labs, will be upgrading their facilities and expanding across the province. They currently operate in Edmonton and other northern communities.

Health Minister Jason Copping said that the government is expanding their contract with the company because it is cost effective and wont lead to any job losses in the province. The lab does not interfere with Alberta Health Services, who will continue to provide lab services to small rural and remote communities. The lab will help process the nearly 80 million lab tests completed in the province every year.

Premier Jason Kenney Opposes Decriminalization in British Columbia

This week, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney slammed a decision to decriminalize small amounts of certain drugs in British Columbia. Premier Kenney said that the decision will likely result in a dramatic increase in drug use. The new exemption allows individuals in British Columbia to possess up to 2.5 grams of previously banned drugs including MDMA, methamphetamine, cocaine, and opioids for personal use.

The change is experimental and will run from January 31, 2023, until January 31, 2026. Premier Kenney issued a statement in response to the changes, saying “many cities across Canada have existed in a de facto state of drug decriminalization for years now. The de-policing of areas in major cities like Vancouver has led to significant increases in disorder, crime, drug use and death. These Liberal-NDP policies are clearly not working,” adding that “Alberta’s government will never allow our communities to become sanctuaries for cartels and drug traffickers”.

Trouble Brewing within the NDP

New reports have come out claiming that the Alberta NDP ignored and demeaned NDP volunteers and constituency workers. The internal NDP troubles came to light after a letter featuring 15 NDP riding presidents and regional executives called on the party to initiate an independent investigation into what they called a pattern of mistreatment of volunteers and questionable candidate nomination practices. Former Calgary-Bow NDP constituency president Krista Li told media that the party was “steamrolling constituency association presidents” and “burning through volunteers”. She added that the environment within the NDP is “not worthy of integrity” and that she would no longer be a part of it She also added that she was increasingly frustrated by central staffers who felt they knew better than the people in the local constituency associations.

Li said it became increasingly clear to her that the role of NDP volunteers is not as thinking, contributing equals, but simply as “brand ambassadors” for decisions made by someone else. Another volunteer, Sharie Valentine said she quit as a volunteer a month ago after years of door-knocking for NDP Leader Rachel Notley and the NDP. Valentine said the staff were rude, belittling and condescending to volunteers and potential candidates. She said she is aware of volunteers also being shouted at in meetings. One constituency president told her she has “no political value.”

The provincial secretary for the NDP responded in a statement saying “the party has also been engaged in a comprehensive review of our anti-harassment policy to broaden and update it to a respect in the workplace policy.” But volunteers like Valentine say they don’t believe that Notley or the party will resolve the concerns, saying “all they’re doing is trying to make it go away” adding “If they don’t get their stuff together, there’s no way they’re (the Alberta NDP) going to win.”

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Key Influencer - Todd Loewen - UCP Leadership Candidate

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A Premature Conclusion – The Impact of the Spring Sittings and Things to Watch This Summer