EDMONTON (660 NEWS) — The provincial government has unveiled an ambitious plan to begin reopening the economy by the middle of May.
Premier Jason Kenney is proposing a three-stage plan, with some restrictions being lifted on May 1.
Kenney said Albertans have been reacting responsibly so far throughout the pandemic but this will require continued vigilance to avoid setbacks and some of the allowances being dialed back again.
“We will move forward together with care and common sense, knowing tough times are still ahead,” said Kenney.
Early actions include reopening vehicle access to parking lots and staging areas in parks and on public lands on May 1 and then allowing Alberta Health Services to resume some scheduled, non-urgent surgeries as soon as May 4.
Dental and other health-care workers, such as physiotherapists, social workers, occupational therapists and more can resume services on May 4 as well, as long as they follow approved guidelines.
With the spring weather settling in, the province aims to open some boat launches and provincial parks on Friday, with many campsites open by June 1.
In addition, golf courses can open on May 4 as long as restrictions are maintained including keeping clubhouses and pro shops closed, however on-site shops and restaurants can open.
The staged plan will then be put in place a couple of weeks later, ideally, as long as several safeguards are established: enhancing COVID-19 testing, supporting positive cases with isolation, strengthening borders and airport screening, establishing rules for wearing masks in crowded spaces, and maintaining strong protections for the most vulnerable such as those in long-term care.
Once this is achieved, the province envisions stage one taking place as early as May 14, which would allow most retail businesses to reopen including clothing, furniture and book stores.
Some personal services, like hairstyling, will reopen as well, and more surgeries, dental procedures, chiropractic and similar services will be allowed.
Cafes and restaurants will be allowed to welcome in patrons for sit-down service at 50 per cent capacity in this first stage as well, but bar service will not be allowed.
Museums and art galleries could be reopened in this first stage, and daycares can operate with limits on occupancy.
Gatherings of more than 15 people will still be prohibited in this stage so movie theatres, recreation centres, gyms, nightclubs and more will stay closed.
If stage one is successful, the province will open up schools, more personal services, movie theatres, and allow some larger gatherings.
The timing will rely on the success of the first stage, and there will still be limits such as nightclubs, pools, gyms, recreation centres and arenas remaining closed.
Non-essential travel will also still be not recommended through the first two stages of the strategy.
Finally, the third stage will see everything reopen and almost all restrictions on gatherings and travel removed.
Some guidelines will remain in place, however, so it will not be completely business-as-usual to limit the potential spread of the virus again.
The province adds a rapid response plan is in place in the event of more outbreaks, including protocols to identify close contacts and limit spread and making testing widely available.
Temporary housing could also be provided for people in isolation, along with other necessary supports for anyone at risk.
Physical distancing requirements of two metres will stay in place through all stages of the relaunch, and people are urged to continue practising good hygiene practices as well as staying home if you are sick in any way.
“There are signs that our collective efforts of physical distancing, good hygiene practices, and staying home when advised are helping to slow the spread,” said Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr Deena Hinshaw.
“However, we must guard against complacency and be patient to ensure the sacrifices we have already made to contain the virus are not wasted by carelessness as we gradually reopen businesses and services.”
OTTAWA – Statistics Canada says wholesale sales, excluding petroleum, petroleum products, and other hydrocarbons and excluding oilseed and grain, rose 0.4 per cent to $82.7 billion in July.
The increase came as sales in the miscellaneous subsector gained three per cent to reach $10.5 billion in July, helped by strength in the agriculture supplies industry group, which rose 9.2 per cent.
The food, beverage and tobacco subsector added 1.7 per cent to total $15 billion in July.
The personal and household goods subsector fell 2.5 per cent to $12.1 billion.
In volume terms, overall wholesale sales rose 0.5 per cent in July.
Statistics Canada started including oilseed and grain as well as the petroleum and petroleum products subsector as part of wholesale trade last year, but is excluding the data from monthly analysis until there is enough historical data.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
VICTORIA – British Columbia is forecasting a record budget deficit and a rising debt of almost $129 billion less than two weeks before the start of a provincial election campaign where economic stability and future progress are expected to be major issues.
Finance Minister Katrine Conroy, who has announced her retirement and will not seek re-election in the Oct. 19 vote, said Tuesday her final budget update as minister predicts a deficit of $8.9 billion, up $1.1 billion from a forecast she made earlier this year.
Conroy said she acknowledges “challenges” facing B.C., including three consecutive deficit budgets, but expected improved economic growth where the province will start to “turn a corner.”
The $8.9 billion deficit forecast for 2024-2025 is followed by annual deficit projections of $6.7 billion and $6.1 billion in 2026-2027, Conroy said at a news conference outlining the government’s first quarterly financial update.
Conroy said lower corporate income tax and natural resource revenues and the increased cost of fighting wildfires have had some of the largest impacts on the budget.
“I want to acknowledge the economic uncertainties,” she said. “While global inflation is showing signs of easing and we’ve seen cuts to the Bank of Canada interest rates, we know that the challenges are not over.”
Conroy said wildfire response costs are expected to total $886 million this year, more than $650 million higher than originally forecast.
Corporate income tax revenue is forecast to be $638 million lower as a result of federal government updates and natural resource revenues are down $299 million due to lower prices for natural gas, lumber and electricity, she said.
Debt-servicing costs are also forecast to be $344 million higher due to the larger debt balance, the current interest rate and accelerated borrowing to ensure services and capital projects are maintained through the province’s election period, said Conroy.
B.C.’s economic growth is expected to strengthen over the next three years, but the timing of a return to a balanced budget will fall to another minister, said Conroy, who was addressing what likely would be her last news conference as Minister of Finance.
The election is expected to be called on Sept. 21, with the vote set for Oct. 19.
“While we are a strong province, people are facing challenges,” she said. “We have never shied away from taking those challenges head on, because we want to keep British Columbians secure and help them build good lives now and for the long term. With the investments we’re making and the actions we’re taking to support people and build a stronger economy, we’ve started to turn a corner.”
Premier David Eby said before the fiscal forecast was released Tuesday that the New Democrat government remains committed to providing services and supports for people in British Columbia and cuts are not on his agenda.
Eby said people have been hurt by high interest costs and the province is facing budget pressures connected to low resource prices, high wildfire costs and struggling global economies.
The premier said that now is not the time to reduce supports and services for people.
Last month’s year-end report for the 2023-2024 budget saw the province post a budget deficit of $5.035 billion, down from the previous forecast of $5.9 billion.
Eby said he expects government financial priorities to become a major issue during the upcoming election, with the NDP pledging to continue to fund services and the B.C. Conservatives looking to make cuts.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 10, 2024.
Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version said the debt would be going up to more than $129 billion. In fact, it will be almost $129 billion.
NANAIMO, B.C. – Former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney says he’ll be advising the Liberal party to flip some the challenges posed by an increasingly divided and dangerous world into an economic opportunity for Canada.
But he won’t say what his specific advice will be on economic issues that are politically divisive in Canada, like the carbon tax.
He presented his vision for the Liberals’ economic policy at the party’s caucus retreat in Nanaimo, B.C. today, after he agreed to help the party prepare for the next election as chair of a Liberal task force on economic growth.
Carney has been touted as a possible leadership contender to replace Justin Trudeau, who has said he has tried to coax Carney into politics for years.
Carney says if the prime minister asks him to do something he will do it to the best of his ability, but won’t elaborate on whether the new adviser role could lead to him adding his name to a ballot in the next election.
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says she has been taking advice from Carney for years, and that his new position won’t infringe on her role.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 10, 2024.
