Thread by @EmmaLGraney

And anooooother press conference — this time opposition leader Notley and others speaking to Bill 2, including a 16-yr-old from Fort Sask. Notley: “This is the Pick Your Pockets Bill.” #ableg

Notley says Kenney is effectively cutting overtime through this bill. She says Albertans in oil and gas, construction and skilled trades are some of the biggest OT-earners and this will hurt them. "Jason Kenney is cutting the amount they will earn," Notley says. #ableg

Rolling back the min wage for young people "demonstrates a lack of respect for young people," Notley says. Says there is no compassion here, and workers turning 18 may well see their hours reduced. #ableg

The holiday pay cut "is pure Grinch politics," Notley says, because if holidays fall on a Saturday they don't get that extra cash. These changes are cutting the pay cheque for those who earn it and only helps business owners, she says #ableg

Over to Gil McGowan from Alberta Federation of Labour (who is nooooo fan of Kenney). Cutting wages at this point in Alberta's history "amounts to nothing short of kicking a man while he's down," he says. #ableg

McGowan says Kenney is "creating an underclass" of workers who can be hired for less and that's exactly what he did with TFW program when he was immigration minister. "Schemes like this kill more jobs than they create," he says. #ableg

The workers being hurt by this bill weren't old enough to vote in the last election -- this is legislation without representation, McGowan says. #ableg

The young worker works in a restaurant, says "it's crazy for me to be paid less" than her adult colleagues. Her father was laid off last year and she had to support herself. "Today's legislation is just not fair." #ableg

It's the gvt telling me my work is not as valued as her adult colleagues, she says. #ableg

If you were to say to anyone that a 15% paycut is not a big deal, they'd pretty much disagree with you right on the spot, Notley says. Let's talk about 17 year olds who are contributing to family budgets or saving for an education, she says #ableg

The idea that you create jobs by attacking the lowest paid doesn't work and is proven to be unsuccessful, Notley says. "There's no indication that this kind of thing works ever," she says. #ableg

This could discourage kids from not finishing school and creates the potential for youth to lose their job when they turn 18, Notley says #ableg

The 16 year old says her boss told her yesterday (when she asked) that he would roll back her wage. Says she'll have to work more hours now which could hurt her chances for getting into post-secondary. #ableg

Changing minimum wages through an Order in Council - not a bill - is completely normal in Alberta, I just learned. It's done through regulations, not legislation. #ableg

Notley: "We will be doing everything we can to delay the passage of this" bill. Soooooo maybe a filibuster? #ableg

Notley says her gvt worked hard for a $15/hour minimum wage to try and get Alberta closer to fair living conditions, b/c Alberta still has higher wages than the rest of the country. #ableg

Bill 1 is about giving corporate tax cuts to Kenney's buddies, Notley says, while Bill 2 is about taking money from youth. #ableg

Notley on RCMP talking to Schweitzer: He's the AG. He should not be within 20 light years of this investigation. The Premier is being "intentionally obtuse" about this whole thing. Says Kenney's position is "outrageous." #ableg

Notley, as in QP today, says this is exactly why there needs to be a special prosecutor. #ableg

Notley thinks UCP is concerned about losing control. Now RCMP interviewed Schweitzer, "they're in it too far" & have "lost sight of what the right decision is." As a lawyer and longtime MLA "I struggle to find words about how shocking this is. I'm utterly appalled." #ableg

Man oh man this is another long press conference. Lucky I had a cookie earlier. #ableg