Thread by @Tommy_Slick

Coming up at 11, Premier Jason Kenney and Jobs Minister Doug Schweitzer will announce money for "job creators". Last week, Kenney teased more relief after the latest round of restrictions. Follow along here for all of the exciting details. #ableg #yyc #yeg

So far, the government has committed $500 million for the small and medium business relaunch grant, and can provide up to $20,000 for individual businesses.

By contrast, the province has committed only $118 million (combined with $350 million in federal money) to give hundreds of thousands of essential workers a direct one-time benefit of $1,200.

We are underway after the customary delay, with Premier Kenney opening it up. Noting the impact the virus has had on the province, and the tough decisions the government has had to make. Says there's been quite a burden on "job creators."

Next week, the relaunch grant is being reopened for a potential third payment of up to $10,000 for eligible businesses. About 100,000 applications had been submitted in prior rounds as well. $350 million allocated for this round, raising the overall total to about $1 billion.

Kenney says this puts Alberta in the lead for financial support for the "unsung heroes of the economy". Same revenue requirements as prior rounds, details on that here. alberta.ca/sme-relaunch-g…

Applications to open in "the coming days," Kenney says. Premier adds that brighter days are coming, even with these continued problems. Estimates show Alberta could lead the way in economic growth, already seeing some job recovery as well. Touting vaccine numbers as well.

Kenney also mentions "natural immunity" once again, saying people who already had COVID may be immune. This has been a bit of a debatable point, here's some recent research on that here. businesstoday.in/latest/trends/…

Minister Schweitzer speaking now. Says businesses are being asked to make significant sacrifices. He says this won't keep all the businesses whole, but when it's tacked on to all the other federal subsidies, it should help businesses "get to the other side."

Schweitzer says if you want businesses to get back open, you need to get a vaccination to increase immunity rates. Adds they're still working on specific dates to open the application portal. Funds go out to successful applicants by the end of the month most likely.

Now to questions. @JWeisnerGlobal asks Kenney about the state of hospital capacity, some people feel other health issues are getting ignored.

Premier says we have 8,300 acute care beds and 300+ occupied with COVID-19. 80 ICU beds occupied as well.

Kenney says there is immense stress though, but he feels the current pressure can be managed. Adds Alberta is doing better than other provinces on keeping on top of surgeries. Made up ground after cancellations last year.

He says a central reason to bring in "painful" restrictions is to reduce more pressure on the system, don't want to cancel surgeries again. Essentially he is stressing there's nothing to fear, if you have a health concern you're still welcome at a hospital.

Next, @sunrickbell asks if Kenney has a backup plan in case the COVID numbers don't come down, additional restrictions perhaps?

Kenney says he will take the "necessary measures", restrictions are still a "last and limited resort."

If the current restrictions do not work well enough, Premier Kenney says they may have to take additional measures. Says it's the "last thing I want to do." Kenney says he studies the data every day, and he is "confident" people are responding to their plea to reduce transmission

Kenney does not believe additional steps will be necessary. Looking at Ontario, he says COVID has a mind of its own and the more restrictive measures over there may not be working much. Even weather is a factor driving spread (?).

Kenney says he commits to never put doctors in a position to have to refuse care at ICUs due to capacity, calls that a no go zone.

Followup, and Kenney says Rick could slip in a couple more questions because he is feeling "generous."

So he asks what specifically would some of those theoretical measures be, and how would you sell it to people who are refusing the limited restrictions in place now?

Kenney says we can look at prior measures, like what we had last year, as possible ways to move further in that direction. To the people "ticked off" about restrictions, "so am I," says Kenney. But he appealing for more personal responsibility...

Kenney points to the spread in rural areas, like Athabasca which has the highest case rate in the province. Says a large cause of spread was a kids birthday party. Says this shows what happens when people think the rules don't apply to them.

Kenney now looking at some countries, like Germany, that have stricter measures in place but still seeing problems. Now talking about people who call for loose measures like in some American states, cautioning them about the consequences.

Says to the people upset about restrictions if they would be willing to defend a much higher death rate like we've seen in some American states.

.@reportrix asks about the urgency of this announcement, and why a previous business program was scrapped in favour of this (criticism about eligibility).

Kenney says the last program was put in when they were ready to relax restrictions, didn't reflect hardest-hit businesses.

Kenney says this program also moves very fast, and that's why they are favouring it. Want to make relief immediate.

Schweitzer adds the previous benefit was more tied to the reopening strategy, didn't account for this rollback.

Followup, Lisa says the NDP was also calling for enhanced biz support, isn't this a good time to go full bore, how do you respond to those who say it's not enough?

Kenney says the NDP always say his government is not spending enough. This is why we are in debt, he says.

Kenney believes they are going full bore here, Alberta supports are far greater than other provinces. This is also coming out of the $500 million contingency for COVID measures included in the budget.

.@BillFortierCTV asks if he has a goal to balance the budget, factoring in this spending?

Kenney says we cannot realistically balance in this term. Will take a couple years longer to get there, irresponsible at this point to predict. Thinks it can happen in the next term.

Kenney says this funding isn't hardwired into long term spending, these are one-time emergency costs. So feasibly the other calculations about non-COVID spending will apply after the pandemic is over.

Kenney thinks the economy will take off like a rocket once the pandemic is over. Projections for Alberta are positive even for the second half of this year, this all helps with that goal.

Bill follows up, what specifically do you mean around how Alberta has done more to support biz than other provinces?

Kenney says it's a per capita calculation, thinks no other provinces come close on it for programs like this grant. Money here is more than QC, BC and SK combined

Schweitzer says up to 60,000 businesses affected by the latest round of restrictions could apply to this new grant.

.@MKingGlobal next, how do you think this money is being spent by businesses?

Kenney says in the first round, it was largely for PPE and other protections for patrons and staff. One dance studio told him the money "kept them alive" and could still offer some programming.

It has helped enhance delivery capabilities for some other restaurants. There's a lot of flexibility here, many other owners have told Kenney it keeps them alive. It's a "low touch program" he says, owners free to do what they want.

Schweitzer adds on, different businesses do business differently so they would have different needs. Wanted to ensure flexibility and speed to help the most as quickly as possible.

Kenney also jumps back in, doesn't want to exaggerate here as many businesses are still hurting big time. Some people may be imagining that it's only restrictions causing problems, but we were also already in an economic downturn. Combination of factors have hurt.

Michael follows up, how is the audit process going with the program?

Schweitzer must have misheard the question because he starts talking about non-profits.

Kenney corrects him, now responding to audits. Schweitzer says they're just beginning to look at the possibility of fraud, there are rules clearly stated in the application process and there are mechanisms built in to catch any wrongdoing.

Last question from @audreyneva, messaging from health officials will be crucial so how do you respond to the people who are feeling frustrated.

Kenney understands the frustration, but he just says please look at Ontario and the situation they're in. It can happen here too.

Kenney says we just need to get through a few more weeks and then the end is in sight, and we can "get to our summer and our freedoms." Just be mindful of the rules now and avoid doing things that could drive more viral spread.

Kenney now repeating the answer in French, next question will also be in French. That's it for me today, thanks again for following along and have a lovely day!