Premier Jason Kenney is doing another surprise (to the public) Facebook live right now. I'll live Tweet it.
First Q: how can you be sure we will be free of all restrictions by the end of June?
A: "It's the experience of other places in the world," Kenney says, speaking about Texas, Israel and the U.K., which he frequently talks about.
He says the vaccine is working.
A: "It's the experience of other places in the world," Kenney says, speaking about Texas, Israel and the U.K., which he frequently talks about.
He says the vaccine is working.
Q: What about COVID passports?
A: "We think it's a privacy rights violation," Kenney says, adding the government won't facilitate COVID passports.
A: "We think it's a privacy rights violation," Kenney says, adding the government won't facilitate COVID passports.
Q: When are second doses?
A: The focus is still on first doses as possible Once everybody gets their turn, Alberta will start with second doses.
A: The focus is still on first doses as possible Once everybody gets their turn, Alberta will start with second doses.
Q: How do you respond to the NDP saying you are moving too quickly?
A: Kenney says the NDP wants all businesses and schools closed, and is just trying to scare people in the legislature.
(the NDP has called for more aggressive measures than the UCP, but only in the short term)
A: Kenney says the NDP wants all businesses and schools closed, and is just trying to scare people in the legislature.
(the NDP has called for more aggressive measures than the UCP, but only in the short term)
"This has been weeks and weeks of careful work, scientific analysis," Kenney says, about coming up with the reopening plan.
"We can either live in perennial fear, which is where, I guess, the opposition want us to be," Kenney says.
"We can either live in perennial fear, which is where, I guess, the opposition want us to be," Kenney says.
"There's nothing to fear but fear itself," Kenney says (yes, he really did).
He says it's time to say "yes" again, and reopen.
He says it's time to say "yes" again, and reopen.
"I'm not saying COVID ends on Canada Day," Kenney says.
He is now comparing COVID to the flu, saying that much like the flu, his government has to balance the risk of COVID with the risk of "balancing our social health" with restrictions.
He is now comparing COVID to the flu, saying that much like the flu, his government has to balance the risk of COVID with the risk of "balancing our social health" with restrictions.
Kenney says the people on the "fringes," what he calls the "pro lockdown crowd," and the "pro restriction crowd" are "meeting in the middle" to oppose the government's plan.
"I think it's time to say yes," Kenney says again. Perhaps he is trying out a new slogan.
"I think it's time to say yes," Kenney says again. Perhaps he is trying out a new slogan.
Kenney is explaining why he is doing these Facebook lives. He says he could be like other politicians, and only take questions from "elite mainstream media," but he wants to hear from "the people."
Q: What about high school graduations?
A: Plan for an outdoor event after June 10th, Kenney says. Or, he says you could do a "great party, a big blowout," indoors in July.
A: Plan for an outdoor event after June 10th, Kenney says. Or, he says you could do a "great party, a big blowout," indoors in July.
Q: If you get protection from having COVID, why get vaccinated?
A: Kenney says that "natural immunity is quite strong," for people who have had COVID. But, he is still encouraging people who have tested positive to get vaccinated.
"You will have virtual super powers," he says.
A: Kenney says that "natural immunity is quite strong," for people who have had COVID. But, he is still encouraging people who have tested positive to get vaccinated.
"You will have virtual super powers," he says.
Q: Why is everyone so negative? This is a great day.
A: Kenney agrees, once again saying Albertans need to "learn to say yes."
A: Kenney agrees, once again saying Albertans need to "learn to say yes."
Q: Plan for recovery in the energy sector?
A: Yes. Kenney says his government has done more than any in Alberta's history to help the industry. He says we are on track to see the replacement of Line 3 and the completion of the TMX expansion.
A: Yes. Kenney says his government has done more than any in Alberta's history to help the industry. He says we are on track to see the replacement of Line 3 and the completion of the TMX expansion.
Q: Why no penalty for people who test positive and don't isolate?
A: "Our enforcement agencies have stepped up their game to ensure there is real meaning behind the public health measures," Kenney says.
A: "Our enforcement agencies have stepped up their game to ensure there is real meaning behind the public health measures," Kenney says.
Q: will you stop companies (theatres, restaurants) from not allowing unvaccinated people from entering?
A: No, Kenney says
A: No, Kenney says
Q: Aren't you worried this is too soon?
A: no.
A: no.
Kenney says once again 14% of Albertans are protected from COVID due to antibodies. He doesn't say where this information comes from.
CMOH Dr. Hinshaw has never said anything comparable to this.
CMOH Dr. Hinshaw has never said anything comparable to this.
Kenney says the "largest ever" film and television production in Canadian history will be in Alberta later this year.
He says an announcement is coming soon.
He says an announcement is coming soon.
Kenney says the economy is ready for "an Alberta renaissance" in the fall, with increased investment and job growth.
Q: The vaccine doesn't work at all (not a question).
A: That's not true. "You don't have to believe me. All you have to do is Google 'COVID vaccine effectiveness'," Kenney says.
A: That's not true. "You don't have to believe me. All you have to do is Google 'COVID vaccine effectiveness'," Kenney says.
I'm reading the livestream comments now. There's a ton of misinformation about vaccines. Kenney is being called many, many names.
Kenney says most adverse events tied to vaccines in Alberta are cases of nausea. There has been one blood clot related death.
Kenney says most adverse events tied to vaccines in Alberta are cases of nausea. There has been one blood clot related death.
Q: When will you release the report on establishing an Alberta police force?
A: We haven't received it, Kenney says.
A: We haven't received it, Kenney says.
Q: What does border entry look like for Canadians entering Alberta from the U.S.?
A: The rules haven't changed, and that's federal jurisdiction.
A: The rules haven't changed, and that's federal jurisdiction.
Q: Do you foresee the fall session in the legislature being busy?
A: Kenney says by the fall, his government will have implemented 90% of its election promises. Then he says, his government can listen to Albertans and determine priorities for the last two years of the term.
A: Kenney says by the fall, his government will have implemented 90% of its election promises. Then he says, his government can listen to Albertans and determine priorities for the last two years of the term.
Q: How can the Stampee go ahead when we don't know we will be at Stage 3 for sure?
A: Stampede is supposed to start on July 9. "All indications are we will reach [Stage 3] before the second week of July," Kenney says.
A: Stampede is supposed to start on July 9. "All indications are we will reach [Stage 3] before the second week of July," Kenney says.
"We have been working with the Stampede for months and we have come up with a plan B," Kenney says, if Alberta doesn't get to Stage 3 in time.
He says the government would allow the Stampede to occur at 50% capacity.
He says the government would allow the Stampede to occur at 50% capacity.
Q: What about people from other countries who want to come to the Stampede?
A: Kenney says he will be lobbying the feds to restore the Alberta rapid test pilot program (from last year) on international travellers to allow for more visitors.
A: Kenney says he will be lobbying the feds to restore the Alberta rapid test pilot program (from last year) on international travellers to allow for more visitors.
Q: Why are we paying such high gas at the pumps?
A: Kenney says it's the great irony of Alberta. High prices means the industry is doing well, but consumers pay more. Kenney adds "a big part of it is the carbon tax."
Kenney does not mention the rebate.
A: Kenney says it's the great irony of Alberta. High prices means the industry is doing well, but consumers pay more. Kenney adds "a big part of it is the carbon tax."
Kenney does not mention the rebate.
Q: Why does Dr. Hinshaw have so much power?
A: It's the law. Every province has a chief medical officer of health.
A: It's the law. Every province has a chief medical officer of health.
Kenney says the government is creating a child mental health and wellness panel, which will be co-chaired by UCP MLA Matt Jones.
The announcement will be made tomorrow at noon.
"I guess I just scooped myself," Kenney says.
The announcement will be made tomorrow at noon.
"I guess I just scooped myself," Kenney says.
Q: Will you add more restrictions if cases spike again?
A: Yes.
Kenney says some people will die from COVID in years to come, like what happens with the flu. He says with more people vaccinated, the risk is relatively low.
A: Yes.
Kenney says some people will die from COVID in years to come, like what happens with the flu. He says with more people vaccinated, the risk is relatively low.
Q: Will Fort McMurray go to in-school learning on Monday?
A: Yes.
A: Yes.
Q: Before COVID-19 you talked about recall legislation. Why have we not heard more?
A: "Maybe the elite media didn't talk a lot about it," Kenney says with another jab at the media. He says the legislature is reviewing the new law right now.
A: "Maybe the elite media didn't talk a lot about it," Kenney says with another jab at the media. He says the legislature is reviewing the new law right now.
Q: How much of a kickback do you get to let the Stampede happen?
A: None. "I know there are some folks, particularly on the political left - I saw them attacking the Stampede on Twitter today - it's too bad they can't get on board with the Stampede spirit," Kenney says.
A: None. "I know there are some folks, particularly on the political left - I saw them attacking the Stampede on Twitter today - it's too bad they can't get on board with the Stampede spirit," Kenney says.
Small point: there are less than 1,000 people watching the Premier's livestream right now. When he holds press conferences (which are announced in advance) far more people watch.
"Those folks who are arguing against a careful plan to open up are really saying to the vaccine hesitant 'don't bother, it doesn't save lives'," Kenney says.
Kenney says he is encouraging Calgary Stampede organizers to set up a vaccination clinic at the grounds.
Q: Why aren't you taking pay cuts?
A: We have. Kenney took a 10% pay cut. He says his government is negotiating with many unions and public sector workers will have to "show restraint" through pay cuts.
A: We have. Kenney took a 10% pay cut. He says his government is negotiating with many unions and public sector workers will have to "show restraint" through pay cuts.
"Why would we continue to rely heavily on public health restrictions when vaccines can replace their effectiveness," Kenney says.
Q: Where are we at with Michigan trying to shut down Line 5?
A: There are many legal cases taking place to determine jurisdictions.
"The legal advice that we have is that Governor Whitmer doesn't really have a leg to stand on," Kenney says.
A: There are many legal cases taking place to determine jurisdictions.
"The legal advice that we have is that Governor Whitmer doesn't really have a leg to stand on," Kenney says.
Q: Any studies on second dose mixing?
A: Kenney says one study out of the UK shows it was safe to go from AZ for first dose to MRNA vaccine (Pfizer) for second dose. He says a second study will be available next week.
A: Kenney says one study out of the UK shows it was safe to go from AZ for first dose to MRNA vaccine (Pfizer) for second dose. He says a second study will be available next week.
Q: Doctors are on CTV News right now saying it's too soon. Do you not consult medical professionals?
A: He says he consults with Dr. Hinshaw.
"CTV and some other media - every day there is COVID news - go everyday to the same kind of folks who say the same thing"
A: He says he consults with Dr. Hinshaw.
"CTV and some other media - every day there is COVID news - go everyday to the same kind of folks who say the same thing"
Kenney adds that CTV only goes after medical experts who call for lockdowns, and who always criticize the government.
(not true, obviously.)
(not true, obviously.)
"They are sure to create a fearful headline," Kenney says of the media.
He is criticizing medical experts who have been warning about about variants. Kenney is citing raw numbers on variants, without acknowledging that AHS has stopped testing every single sample for variants.
He is criticizing medical experts who have been warning about about variants. Kenney is citing raw numbers on variants, without acknowledging that AHS has stopped testing every single sample for variants.
That's it. Premier Kenney took 35 questions. It took about an hour and a half.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
