Author of the article:Lisa Johnson
Publishing date:Nov 16, 2021 • hours ago •
Publishing date:Nov 16, 2021 • hours ago •
NDP justice critic Irfan Sabir highlighted concerns from communities across the province over Bill 63: the Street Checks and Carding Amendment Act, April 20, 2021
. PHOTO BY NDP SUPPLIED
The Alberta NDP is accusing the government of “cowardice” after UCP MLAs used their majority to avoid debating a motion condemning Premier Jason Kenney’s leadership on COVID-19.
The motion, calling for the formal censure of Kenney’s “failed leadership” before and during the fourth wave of the pandemic, was pushed to the bottom of the legislature’s order paper Monday night, increasing the likelihood it will die on the order paper without a vote when the session ends.
On Tuesday, NDP MLA Irfan Sabir told reporters in the legislature it was a “shameful display of cowardice” by the government.
“Instead of debating the motion, Jason Kenney and his UCP MLAs ran away,” said Sabir, who added the private member’s motion is about holding Kenney accountable for the crisis created in the health-care system, including 15,000 delayed surgeries.
During question period Tuesday, NDP Leader Rachel Notley asked Kenney why members were not allowed to vote on his COVID-19 leadership record.
The Alberta NDP is accusing the government of “cowardice” after UCP MLAs used their majority to avoid debating a motion condemning Premier Jason Kenney’s leadership on COVID-19.
The motion, calling for the formal censure of Kenney’s “failed leadership” before and during the fourth wave of the pandemic, was pushed to the bottom of the legislature’s order paper Monday night, increasing the likelihood it will die on the order paper without a vote when the session ends.
On Tuesday, NDP MLA Irfan Sabir told reporters in the legislature it was a “shameful display of cowardice” by the government.
“Instead of debating the motion, Jason Kenney and his UCP MLAs ran away,” said Sabir, who added the private member’s motion is about holding Kenney accountable for the crisis created in the health-care system, including 15,000 delayed surgeries.
During question period Tuesday, NDP Leader Rachel Notley asked Kenney why members were not allowed to vote on his COVID-19 leadership record.
Kenney countered that the house did vote — to defer the motion.
“The NDP is desperate to continue trying to divide people on the basis of the pandemic rather than unite Albertans in enthusiasm for this economy,” said Kenney, who listed several recent major investments in the province.
Monday evening in the legislature, deputy government house leader Joseph Schow called the motion “frivolous.”
“Rather than discussing issues that would benefit Albertans, the NDP would rather spend time with a motion of no value whatsoever,” said Schow.
Several UCP MLAs have publicly criticized Kenney’s leadership, including Richard Gottfried and former cabinet minister Leela Aheer.
Sabir noted the motion could have given other MLAs the opportunity to speak up in the house.
Independent MLA Todd Loewen, formerly a UCP MLA, said in a statement Monday by avoiding a motion critical of the premier, the government “took overt partisanship to a new level,” and denied MLAs the opportunity to speak on behalf of their constituents.
“That Jason Kenney would allow the private member’s business process to be halted in a way that protects his own self interest tells you everything you need to know about his respect for our democratic traditions and institutions,” said Loewen.
Notley commits to more ambitious $10-a-day child care plan
After Alberta inked a $10-a-day child care deal with the federal government Monday, Notley committed Tuesday to speeding up that plan by more than a year if elected in 2023.
The current federal plan aims to deliver the lowered average fees by March 2026, but Notley said she would ensure the province has $10-a-day child care by the end of 2024.
“Five years is a long wait for parents who are looking for affordable child care now,” said Notley.
That would involve topping up the federal contribution of $3.8 billion over five years with $2.8 billion in provincial funding. Based on the province’s latest budget, the province is set to spend roughly $2 billion on child care over five years. Monday’s agreement did not come with any new provincial investments.
Notley told reporters revenue for the sped-up plan would come from tax revenues from economic growth triggered by the program.
After Alberta inked a $10-a-day child care deal with the federal government Monday, Notley committed Tuesday to speeding up that plan by more than a year if elected in 2023.
The current federal plan aims to deliver the lowered average fees by March 2026, but Notley said she would ensure the province has $10-a-day child care by the end of 2024.
“Five years is a long wait for parents who are looking for affordable child care now,” said Notley.
That would involve topping up the federal contribution of $3.8 billion over five years with $2.8 billion in provincial funding. Based on the province’s latest budget, the province is set to spend roughly $2 billion on child care over five years. Monday’s agreement did not come with any new provincial investments.
Notley told reporters revenue for the sped-up plan would come from tax revenues from economic growth triggered by the program.
Edmonton Journal
Tuesday's letters: Notley would have done better to fight COVID
Publishing date:Nov 16, 2021 •
Tuesday's letters: Notley would have done better to fight COVID
Publishing date:Nov 16, 2021 •
CALGARY STAMPEDE SUPERSPREADER EVENT COURTESY KENNEY
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney attends a Canada Day event in Parkland in southeast Calgary on Thursday, July 1, 2021.
PHOTO BY JIM WELLS /Postmedia
Re. “Would Notley have done a better job than Kenney?” David Staples, Nov. 10
David Staples’ worship of Jason Kenney seems to know no bounds.
Re. “Would Notley have done a better job than Kenney?” David Staples, Nov. 10
David Staples’ worship of Jason Kenney seems to know no bounds.
Now he is trying to say Rachel Notley would have not done any better than Jason Kenney in dealing with the pandemic.
In his usual way, he cherry-picks his facts. Fascinating that Staples skips over the whole “Best Summer Ever” fiasco. Ms. Notley would not have abandoned all reasonable precautions for the summer to impress rich friends at the Stampede. Ms. Notley would not have gone on holidays and left no one in charge. Ms. Notley would not have lied about being in communication with the office regularly. Ms. Notley would not have stayed out of touch with Albertans for 10 days after returning to Canada.
Ms. Notley would not have set up a lottery or a $100 payment to lure the unvaccinated — American-style bribery that is actually a disincentive to vaccination. She would have set up more mobile and culturally sensitive programs that are proven to encourage vaccination. So David Staples, the answer your question: yes, Notley would have done a better job.
Charlotte Bragg, Edmonton
In his usual way, he cherry-picks his facts. Fascinating that Staples skips over the whole “Best Summer Ever” fiasco. Ms. Notley would not have abandoned all reasonable precautions for the summer to impress rich friends at the Stampede. Ms. Notley would not have gone on holidays and left no one in charge. Ms. Notley would not have lied about being in communication with the office regularly. Ms. Notley would not have stayed out of touch with Albertans for 10 days after returning to Canada.
Ms. Notley would not have set up a lottery or a $100 payment to lure the unvaccinated — American-style bribery that is actually a disincentive to vaccination. She would have set up more mobile and culturally sensitive programs that are proven to encourage vaccination. So David Staples, the answer your question: yes, Notley would have done a better job.
Charlotte Bragg, Edmonton
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