Thread by @JunkerAnna

Premier Jason Kenney is live on Facebook. I will attempt to live tweet.

Kenney was last seen publicly Aug. 9

Watch here: facebook.com/kenneyjasont

Kenney said he has been working out of the McDougall Centre in Calgary this week and was previously on holiday.

Kenney says he believes there will be a news conference this week on the current #COVID19Ab situation

"I'm not aware of another jurisdiction ... with similar levels of vaccination to Alberta, that has seen their health-care system overwhelmed" Kenney says. #COVID19AB #abpoli #ableg #abhealth

Kenney says there will be an announcement soon that will be a "new and different" incentive to get people vaccinated

Next question Kenney takes is about what Canada should do about "the Taliban taking over American military equipment."

Q on future lockdowns. Kenney says no and the trick is to get people vaccinated. If this wave jeopardizes the healthcare system, then targeted measures will be taken #COVID19AB

Q on provincial mask mandate. Kenney says if people feel they want to wear a mask, they can do so. Adds there is a mask mandate for transit/ride shares/taxis and workplaces like hospitals, LTC. "We'll continue to monitor the situation." #COVID19AB

Q on mental health supports. Kenney says one thing that has "come to light" with COVID is the "addictions crisis." He says the CERB payments helped users buy drugs. Goes on to outline funding towards mental health + addictions

"We are ensuring that there is no gap, that there's a seamless connection between the so-called harm reduction programs, and the detox facilities, and then the treatment centres" Kenney says #abhealth

Q on handling 4th wave. He says this is the wave of the unvaccinated. He adds there is "no viable COVID-zero policy." Goal is to push vaccine numbers up and ensure health-care capacity. Says no vaccine passports

Q on "why Kenney is hiding on Facebook and no real media availability." Kenney says he is hiding in plain view and can answer more questions on Facebook than news conferences

Kenney addresses rumour that Dr. Hinshaw resigned, he says no and was just in a long meeting with her. #COVID19AB

Q on what Kenney's peers would do in his position. Says the NDP would have had Alberta in an "Australia-style lockdown" and a bunch of other bad stuff would happen (paraphrased)

Q on new developments for Line 5 (Enbridge pipeline). Kenney says it is still operational but the Governor of Michigan wants to shut it down. There's legal stuff going on and Kenney says they remain confident it will continue to be in operation

Q on "Kenney's approach to Trudeau bribing provinces with money to achieve his agenda of a communist gov't." Kenney says he disagrees with Trudeau on many issues, that's no secret. Says he disagrees with his approach to "sprinkle money" across the provinces for symbolic...

political purposes. Kenney says federal funding should have no strings attached

Q on infection rates. Kenney says many haven't been vaccinated. Addresses issue about children not being able to get vaccinated "The evidence is quite clear that children generally do not transmit this disease and they are at an infinitesimally low risk for severe outcomes."

Q on the chief firearms officer. Kenney says they are now legally responsible for the administration of federal firearms legislation in Alberta.

Q on if Kenney is "going to stop private businesses from being able to segregate based on private medical information or vaccination records." Kenney says he believes the gov't shouldn't step in and tell businesses how to do business.

Q about AHS mandate for vaccines. (He answered this earlier but answering again). Kenney says this isn't new, always had a mandate for other vaccines for communicable diseases.

Q on why gas prices are so high, wants Kenney to lower them. Kenney says gov't doesn't set prices.

Comment from someone saying they appreciate the Facebook Live. Kenney mentions he did press conferences earlier in August and more than other premiers. But generally, August is quieter + with federal election, trying to only do significant announcements

Q on hydrogen. Kenney says he has been overwhelmed by expressions of serious interest in hydrogen projects in Alberta.

Q on vaccines for under 12. He says trials ongoing.Says it's important regulators don't rush approval of vaccines for minors. "In part b/c the punitive benefit is really very small so we need to make sure that the risk of any potential vaccine risk outweighs any punitive benefit"

Emphasizes there is low risk of COVID in kids. But risks for things like water and car accidents are higher for kids.

Comment from someone saying they believe this is a pre-recorded live feed. Kenney says they like to take questions like this to demonstrate to skeptics this is real

Q on if Kenney would have done anything different with COVID. He says it's been some of the hardest decisions he's had to make. When it's all said and done will be able to look back at what could have been done better

He adds that services were shut down for those who use drugs very early on in the pandemic, which made it harder for them and that "may have helped to accelerate the addictions crisis last year."

Kenney ending FB Live. Says if anyone knows anyone not vaccinated, educate them. Calls the vaccines a modern miracle. "Don't believe every crazy Facebook page you might stumble upon. Listen to your doctor." #COVID19AB #abhealth #ableg #abpoli