MLAs continue to seek regional approach to restrictions

By Gillian Slade Southern Alberta Newspapers on March 25, 2021.

Some regional MLAs say the government’s decision not to ease COVID restrictions this week has created a sense of frustration among Albertans.

On Monday, Health Minister Tyler Shandro said even though the benchmark for moving to Step 3 of restrictions was 300 COVID hospitalizations in the province, and this had been reached for a number of weeks, there were other factors that had influenced the decision to remain in Step 2 – such as the stipulation that the number of hospitalizations must be in decline in order to make the jump.

Michaela Glasgo, MLA for Brooks-Medicine Hat, says there has been lots of feedback from constituents about that decision.

“Albertans just want to know what the goal posts will be for moving forward,” said Glasgo. “They feel as though plans have changed.”

Drew Barnes, MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat, says he was “surprised and disappointed” by the government’s decision, and “hundreds” have expressed their disappointment as well.

“Albertans are increasingly expressing dismay about the inconsistencies, unintended and economic consequences,” said Barnes, adding he is concerned about the effect on “mental health, economic and spiritual challenges.”

Barnes says he expected that if there was not a full move to Step 3, there would have been a regional approach to implementation.

Shannon Phillips, MLA for Lethbridge West, says the NDP called for the delay in lifting restrictions and feels it was common sense.

Phillips says she’s concerned about the lower level of reporting of data and modelling that Alberta is providing compared to other provinces.

“We are in a situation where Albertans are, compared to other provinces, fumbling around in the dark about what we can expect going forward in this third wave, just as we were in the second wave,” said Phillips. “That is an unnecessary source of uncertainty, insecurity and frustration for ordinary people, but crucially for small business.”

Joseph Schow, MLA for Cardston-Siksika, told Southern Alberta Newspapers earlier this week the government’s decision was “prudent,” and “puts a lot in the hands of Albertans” to abide by restrictions and stay safe.

When Premier Jason Kenney announced in January how the lifting of restrictions would be handled in stages, he said having specific benchmarks, such as hospitalization numbers, was important so people knew the path forward.

Glasgo says the path forward gained support because of that clarity and it gave people “hope.”

“What I see right now is a lot of confusion as to what the next date is,” said Glasgo.

Shandro emphasized the benchmark of 300 included the need to see those numbers declining.

“Hospitalizations must be on a clear downward trajectory if we are to enter any new step, just like they were when we entered Step 1 and Step 2 earlier this year,” Shandro said in a Monday news conference.

COVID hospitalization rates for the province in March were as follows:

March 1 – 261

March 3 – 245

March 8 – 263

March 13 – 248

March 17 – 264

March 20 – 282

March 21 – 280

March 22 – 290

March 23 – 285

Based on the trend of transmission rates, Shandro said, there would most likely be 300 in hospital by the end of this week.

“This is the safe move, the smart move to make for our province right now, and it’s absolutely necessary to help us avoid a third wave that would take more lives and once again put more pressure on the hospital system,” said Shandro.

Step3 would have lifted restrictions on places of worship, adult and youth sport, indoor social gatherings, seated events such as cinemas, also casinos, museums and more.

Shandro has not been willing to say when moving to Step 3 will be reconsidered.

Glasgo says she is looking for that answer.

“For the sake of constituents … it would be helpful to have a date,” said Glasgo, who alongside Barnes has been asking for a regional approach to restrictions for months.

Medicine Hat has eight active cases, Cypress County one, Newell County two and Brooks two for a total of 13 in the immediate region.

Glasgo acknowledges there are higher numbers in some areas of the South zone. Forty Mile County has five active cases, while the MD of Taber sits at 22, Lethbridge County at 79 and the City of Lethbridge at 508.

“We’ve done a good job (here) of keeping our numbers low … my constituents should be rewarded for that.”

She says when Brooks had a high number of active cases last spring they were under different restrictions from the rest of the South zone.

Schow is also asking government for regional restrictions because he says that’s what his constituents are asking for.

Phillips’ constituency is dealing with a spike in active cases. She says she got no answer from Shandro on Monday when she asked for a commitment for a briefing with Lethbridge mayor, council and regional MLAs about government measures being taken to address the situation. She says she can’t get a response regarding additional testing either.

“Fundamentally what it reveals is a lack of respect,” said Phillips.

Southern Alberta Newspapers requested interviews with Nathan Neudorf, MLA for Lethbridge East, and Grant Hunter, MLA for Taber-Warner, but they failed to respond by press time. There was also no immediate response to a request for comment from the Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce.

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