Kenney says he'll speak on COVID-19 first, because it's the most important issue facing Alberta. The 7 total cases involve cruise ship trips, he says. These people are in isolation. #ableg
Chances of contracting the virus are still low, says Kenney, but we have to be careful about basic hygiene since the COVID-19 virus is spreading globally. Kenney going down the list of handwashing and avoiding shaking hands measures. #ableg
"I can assure Albertans that this province is well prepared for a public health challenge of this nature," says Kenney. #ableg
On global oil price crash slamming Alberta. Kenney calls it a "global coronavirus linked recession" and that the problem facing Canada "could not be more serious." #ableg
Read more here:
thestar.com/news/canada/20…
Read more here:
thestar.com/news/canada/20…
With the Saudi government increasing oil supply, this is the first time since 1930 that the world has seen a significant drop in demand and a big increase in supply, says Kenney. #ableg
"This could hardly come at a worse time," says Kenney. "This will obviously be a very difficult time for everyone in our energy sector." Tomorrow he and his cabinet will meet with industry leaders, Kenney says. #ableg
Kenney says there's a small opportunity to capitalize on shale losses in the U.S. but in the short term, capital spending will be effected in Alberta and that times are uncertain. "We've gotten through bigger challenges in the past," he says. #ableg
Kenney says he has a plan for jobs and has announced $7 billion in infrastructure spending recently. #ableg
Kenney says he'll ask Ottawa for a few things later this week. Alberta wants proposals to be developed from the province and federal government. "All options will be on the table. I repeat, all options will be on the table" to protect jobs and Albertans, Kenney says. #ableg
Kenney announces yet another panel led by Dr. @jackmintz and they will do everything to get Alberta through the downturn. Kenney says Albertans should stay optimistic because, well, we're awesome and young and capable. #ableg
Kenney is asked if his budget is on the table, can it be looked at? Kenney says his fiscal plan will obviously be impacted but he intends to pass the latest budget in the legislature. "We will see how the federal government responds to this serious challenge," he says. #ableg
In the mid term, Kenney says Alberta may need to borrow money to make that happen. They always wanted to balance the budget in the first term, but with the global downturn, that's at risk, and he says they've been "sideswiped." #ableg
Kenney says it's incumbent to operate like other provincial governments in Canada, because when they come out of this thing, he hopes Alberta can operate "as efficiently" as Ontario or Quebec. #ableg
Kenney says they'll actually spend a bit more to help people get back to work in the private sector "right now." That's big. Kenney has been drawing plans to *reduce* spending over the next three years. That may not be the case anymore, he says. #ableg
What will you ask Ottawa for? Well, Kenney says they want the feds to invest in projects in Alberta - oil well reclamation and completion, cash subsidies for well reclamation, increased investment in green tech. #ableg
Tensions have been high, so will feds dole out? Kenney says he's had good chats with DPM Chrystia Freeland and he understands that the feds are willing to respond to Alberta's problems. #ableg
Kenney wants cap lifted on fiscal stabilization program as well. Goes back over Alberta contributing a lot through federal income tax. "It's time to see the rest of Canada return the favour," he says. #ableg
Kenney says "I cannot imagine a dumber thing to do" than add a multi-billion PST on Albertans at this time. He says it's "the worst possible time" to do that. Kenney wants fiscal stimulus. #ableg
"This is not just about Alberta. As Alberta goes, so goes the country," says Kenney. Dynamic growth during the great recession helped Canada make it through, he says. Alberta is usually a counter balance to global downturns, Kenney says. #ableg
"we're not asking for a hand out... I assume that this federal government intends to act to protect the Canadian economy," Kenney says. #ableg
Kenney says he'd sit down with @RachelNotley and the NDP to work through this. Notley earlier today said she wanted an all-party committee. "We need to work together," says Kenney, as Albertans. "I absolutely intend to reach out... to Ms. Notley," says Kenney. #ableg
"We need to try to park the politics," says Kenney. "This is not a time for partisan politics, this is a time for unity." #ableg
Kenney says they are ready to invest in energy sector, likely will announce some stuff around that at the end of this month. #ableg
