Specifically, Calgary businesses have been hit harder than some in other parts of the province the premier said, referring to Suncor’s announcement it’ll be cutting 15 per cent of its staff nationwide and the announcement of a merger between Cenovus and Husky that will result in layoffs of up to 25 per cent of staff — much of it in Calgary.
“This will have a devastating effect on the lives of so many of our neighbours and we need them to know that Alberta’s government will do everything within its power to get this economy firing back on all cylinders, to get through this crisis and to come up stronger on the other side,” Kenney said.
He said focusing on productivity, competitiveness, investments and business incentives would help the province avoid “massive new taxes on future generations that would crush the productive capacity of our economy.” One of these key investments is the $1.5-billion investment in the Keystone XL pipeline project which is expected to support economic recovery and create 7,000 jobs.
However, a second wave of COVID-19 infections is threatening to impact the province’s economic recovery plan.
In an effort to slow its own growing infection rates, the province of Manitoba introduced broad shutdowns in and around Winnipeg on Monday which included closures of movie theatres, concert halls, sports facilities and restaurant dining rooms. The region has also halted elective and non-urgent surgeries and diagnostic procedures due to the strain on the health-care system.
Manitoba’s closures resemble Alberta’s pandemic response prior to mid-May before the province entered the first stage of its economic recovery plan.
Alberta’s infection rate has continued to break its own records with 622 new cases confirmed last Thursday — the latest update provided by Alberta Health — bringing the province’s active case total to an all-time high of 5,172.
In light of this, Kenney has continued to advocate for “personal and collective responsibility.”
“We have cause to be concerned, however, right now with a very significant increase in active cases in our province, because of the potential threat that that may pose to our health-care system. This may require, if we don’t get this under control, displacing people waiting for surgeries and acute care from our health-care system,” the premier said.
“Simply follow the public health guidelines to protect lives and livelihoods.”
Source:- Calgary Herald
