At a Glance - September 6, 2023
COVID-19 Upswing Expected
Experts have warned that Albertans can expect another uptick in COVID-19 cases this fall. Other areas in Canada, including BC, have already reported outbreaks of the new variant, BA.2.86.
Currently, there is very little data on the newest variant. While the provincial website indicated the first COVID-19 update in months would take place on Wednesday, it did not occur. The press secretary for Health Minister Adriana LaGrange said the government is updating how it presents data to “more accurately depict the situation.”
The Alberta NDP has called on the UCP Government to issue a comprehensive review of a COVID-19 vaccination plan as quickly as possible, as well as improve the accessibility and availability of the vaccines.
New vaccines specific to the latest variant are expected during the fall rollout.
Opioid Levels Spike in Alberta Wastewater Samples
Calgary researcher Dr. Monty Ghosh has announced that after monitoring wastewater for a study, he has found that the use of carfentanyl rose dramatically in June when drug overdoses spiked in the province.
The efforts of Ghosh’s study is a pilot study aimed at starting a broader initiative to begin regularly testing wastewater for drug usage. Wastewater testing is currently performed weekly at six testing sites across Alberta; however, the location of these results is not disclosed as this information may increase stigma or leave inaccurate impressions that illicit drug usage only occurs in specific areas. This pilot wastewater study is scheduled to end in the fall.
The results of the wastewater monitoring could be of assistance to emergency responders, health care providers, and government officials.
Alberta is on Track for a Surplus
According to a fiscal update released by the provincial government Thursday, they still project to be on track for a $2.4-billion surplus by the end of the fiscal year.
This surplus comes despite recent events, including the wildfires and lower oil prices. While the UCP government stated that the province has burned through most of its contingency funding, wildfires having consumed nearly $1 billion this fiscal year – three-quarters of the funding set aside for emergencies, the projected $2.44 billion they are on track for, is slightly larger than the $2.35 billion initially projected in the February budget.
Premier Condemns Federal Emissions Cap Comments
Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault stated that because Alberta company Suncor wants to focus more on oil and gas production, it furthers the case for an emissions cap. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith responded to these comments, asserting that Minister Guilbeault comments provocatively attack Alberta’s energy sector.
Tensions over the appropriate level of environmental regulation between Alberta and the federal government have persisted since Ottawa announced its plans to implement an emissions cap and transition the electricity grid to reach net zero by 2035. Alberta has set the goal of working towards carbon neutrality by 2050.
NDP Calls for Auditor General to Investigate DynaLife Lab Deal
The Alberta NDP has called on the province’s auditor general to investigate the UCP’s decision to abruptly cut short what was supposed to be a 25-year deal to deliver medical lab services through Dynalife.
The calls came after Health Minister LaGrange announced last week that Dynalife would be transferring all staff, equipment, and facilities to the government’s Alberta Precision Laboratories (APL) by the end of the year. Prior to the announcement, Dynalife had struggled with significant delays since it began providing lab services province-wide last year. Before the contract with the provincial government, Dynalife had serviced Northern and Central Alberta, including Edmonton.