At a Glance
Government of Alberta Reintroduces Contact Tracing in Schools
It was announced on Tuesday that contact tracing and public reporting of COVID-19 cases would be returning to Alberta’s schools starting October 12th after it was mostly discontinued in July. Dr. Deena Hinshaw outlined that plan which includes a provision that if any class has three or more confirmed cases over the span of five days, there will be a move to online learning for 10 days for the full class. Many school boards and the Opposition had been asking for the reintroduction of tracing after the start of the new school year brought outbreaks in dozens of schools across the province. 25% of reported cases are from the 5-11 age group.
Military Nurses Arrive in Alberta to Help Battle Fourth Wave
The Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton has received reinforcement from the military to help ease pressure on their ICU which has been stretched to the limit due to COVID-19 patients. The Canadian Armed Forces sent the eight critical nursing officers from Ontario and Nova Scotia after the Government of Alberta requested assistance last month due to the intensifying fourth wave.
Supports for Businesses that Implement Vaccine Passport to get Financial Support
Premier Jason Kenney announced on Thursday that the UCP Government will be bringing in legislation to protect businesses who require vaccines for employees designed to protect them from legal challenges and protect frontline-workers from harassment. The government will also be doubling the maximum fine for mistreating public-facing workers from $2,000 to $4,000.
The province has also announced a one-time $2,000 payment for small and medium businesses that decide to implement the Restrictions Exemption Program. The funding can be used however the business deems fit with the first intake for payment will begin in four to six weeks.
Calgary Mayoral Race Tightening: Poll
With less than two weeks left before the province goes to the polls for the municipal election, a new poll commissioned by the Calgary Firefighters Association (carried out by Leger). The poll shows a tightening race in the province’s most populous city between Jyoti Gondek and Jeremy Farkas with 27% and 24% respectively. Jeff Davison is a distant third at 12% according to the poll. An expected low voter turnout and high levels of undecided voters (29%) makes the ultimate result hard to predict.
DOW Announces Project
US-based company DOW Inc. announced on Wednesday that it is planning to build the world’s first net-zero ethylene and derivatives facility just east of Edmonton. If built, the project would triple the amount the company currently produces at the site and would also retrofit the existing plant to produce net-zero status. While no figure was given for the cost of the project, Premier Kenney predicated that it could be one of the largest investments in the province in Alberta in a decade. The project will still need regulatory approval and a final investment decision before it can proceed.
