MLAs feel Albertans frustrated with continued COVID restrictions
By Gillian Slade on March 25, 2021.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDGslade@abnewsgroup.com 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 stage three 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 stage two.
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.
“Albertans are increasingly expressing dismay about the inconsistencies, unintended and economic consequences,” said Barnes who is concerned about the effect on “mental health, economic and spiritual challenges”.
Barnes expected that if there was not a full move to step three there would have been a regional approach to implementing step three.
Shannon Phillips, MLA for Lethbridge West, says the NDP called for the delay in lifting restrictions and feels it was common sense.
Phillips is concerned about the lower level of reporting of data and modeling 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 that the government’s decision was “prudent.”
It “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 that 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 said 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 one and step two earlier this year,” said Shandro.
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.
Step three 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 stage three will be reconsidered.
Glasgo says she is looking for that answer.
“For the sake of constituents … it would be helpful to have a date.”
Glasgo and Barnes have been asking for a regional approach to restrictions for months.
According to numbers released for March 22 Medicine Hat had 10 active cases, Cypress County one, Newell County zero and Brooks three for a total of 14.
Glasgo acknowledges there are higher numbers in some areas of the South zone.
“We’ve done a good job 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 constituentsare asking for.
Phillips’s 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 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 GrantHunter MLA for Taber-Warner but they failed to respond by our deadline. There was also no immediate response to a request for comment from the Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce. 3
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