In about 15 minutes, we'll hear from Premier Kenney, as well as ministers Copping and Madu, and CMOH Dr. Hinshaw. We're expecting to learn more about why an offer of immediate hospital help from Newfoundland was rejected. Follow along!
edmonton.ctvnews.ca/kenney-copping…
edmonton.ctvnews.ca/kenney-copping…
Premier Jason Kenney begins, announcing that the Critical Infrastructure Defence Act will be updated to make it illegal to protest in front of hospitals and other health care facilities.
"We understand and respect that Albertans feel the need to protest," Jason Kenney says of anti-vax protesters.
But, he says they can't impede necessary care of patients at health care centres.
But, he says they can't impede necessary care of patients at health care centres.
Kenney says the North Zone is at 100% ICU bed capacity. This is after the province's capacity was greatly expanded to make room for people in need.
Kenney says he has spent the last week talking to faith leaders and other community leaders to convince their members to get vaccinated.
Premier Kenney is now detailing all the work that his government has done to encourage vaccinations, though he doesn't add that Alberta's vaccination rate is lower than that of most other provinces.
Kenney says since the $100 incentive was announced, Alberta has averaged 16k vaccine doses a day, much more than we were doing before.
But, he's ignoring the vaccine passport announcement, and its impact on vaccinations.
But, he's ignoring the vaccine passport announcement, and its impact on vaccinations.
Justice Minister Kaycee Madu is up now. He's thanking all health care workers for their dedication.
"I share the premier's dismay that a small number of people have chosen to display their opposition to vaccines and other public health measures outside of hospitals."
"I share the premier's dismay that a small number of people have chosen to display their opposition to vaccines and other public health measures outside of hospitals."
Health Minister Jason Copping is up now.
He says he has three priorities:
- Increase ICU capacity permanently (?)
- Get more people vaccinated
- Prepare the healthcare system for future pandemics.
He says he has three priorities:
- Increase ICU capacity permanently (?)
- Get more people vaccinated
- Prepare the healthcare system for future pandemics.
So, it's clear at this point no new health care measures will be announced during this news conference (including a fire breaking lockdown).
Copping says Albertans hesitant about vaccines should speak to their doctor or another health care provider.
"I hear you when you talk about how exhausted you are," Minister Copping says about health care workers.
"I want you to know that I hear you and I will act," he says.
"I want you to know that I hear you and I will act," he says.
NEW: Alberta is announcing 1,246 new cases of COVID-19 from 11,144 tests (11.2% positivity). There are 1,100 people fighting COVID in hospital (+37) and 263 in the ICU (-2). Sadly, 18 more people have died.
Dr. Hinshaw is up now. She says it will now be required for staff to wear a mask at childcare facilities. She says this is to protect kids who can't be vaccinated.
Dr. Hinshaw is giving her condolences to the family of everyone who has died of COVID-19.
"Previous infectious does not guarantee lasting immunity," Dr. Hinshaw says.
The premier and other government MLAs have repeatedly repeated claims about immunity through testing positive.
The premier and other government MLAs have repeatedly repeated claims about immunity through testing positive.
Q: Why is there a nursing shortage?
Dr. Hinshaw says she "doesn't have details" on nursing staff.
Kenney says there are more nursing staff working now than a year ago.
Copping says more nurses are being hired.
Dr. Hinshaw says she "doesn't have details" on nursing staff.
Kenney says there are more nursing staff working now than a year ago.
Copping says more nurses are being hired.
Follow up: would the province look at a vaccine passport that includes immunity from previously testing positive for COVID-19?
Kenney says they might look at that in the future, but right now it's "not feasible," because the government needed to introduce a system quickly.
Kenney says they might look at that in the future, but right now it's "not feasible," because the government needed to introduce a system quickly.
Kenney says there is a "polarized" debate over whether immunity over prior infection is valid. He says the best coverage you can have is to get COVID and also get vaccinated.
Q: @Jeffslack660 asks why Kenney is willing to push the health care system to collapse, while refusing to implement restrictions (fire breaker) that could help.
Kenney: "I completely reject the premise of the question."
Kenney: "I completely reject the premise of the question."
Follow up: at what point will you step in and take further measures?
"The answer is we already did," Kenney says.
"The answer is we already did," Kenney says.
Q from @ByJamesKeller: Angela Pitt says she doesn't have confidence in your leadership. What's going on in your caucus?
A: Kenney says he has the confidence of his caucus. He says journalists "had some fun" last week reporting on caucus disputes.
A: Kenney says he has the confidence of his caucus. He says journalists "had some fun" last week reporting on caucus disputes.
Follow up: Facebook posts from members of your caucus seem to be shifting the blame for ICU problems to AHS leadership. Do you share these thoughts?
Kenney says Shane Getson (he doesn't name him but I will) has issued an apology, which Kenney thinks was needed.
Kenney says Shane Getson (he doesn't name him but I will) has issued an apology, which Kenney thinks was needed.
Q from @sunrickbell: is a fire breaker lockdown on the table?
Kenney says it's too early to see whether the vaccine passport measures are effective. He says if they are insufficient, he will take further measures.
"I cannot predict what they might be."
Kenney says it's too early to see whether the vaccine passport measures are effective. He says if they are insufficient, he will take further measures.
"I cannot predict what they might be."
Follow up: is a fire breaker lockdown on the table?
Kenney does not directly answer the question.
Kenney does not directly answer the question.
Q from @BillFortierCTV: Newfoundland says it can send help right now, but Alberta has declined. Why aren't we welcoming help?
A: Kenney says Alberta is not reaching the "upper limit" of its health care capacity. He says that could happen in the third or fourth week of October.
A: Kenney says Alberta is not reaching the "upper limit" of its health care capacity. He says that could happen in the third or fourth week of October.
Follow up: the highest active case rate is in the 5-11 age group. Are you considering going back to online school?
A: Hinshaw says "the access to in school opportunities for learning and development is a high priority." So basically, no.
A: Hinshaw says "the access to in school opportunities for learning and development is a high priority." So basically, no.
Q from @BillKaufmannjrn: additional measures will be taken down the road. Why not now?
Kenney: "I don't accept the premise of your question."
Kenney: "I don't accept the premise of your question."
"Journalists mocked the government for the million dollar lottery prize and the $100 incentive, but those are indications of our willingness to go the extra mile," Kenney says out of the blue.
Q from someone from True North: what message do you want to send on the federal government's climate mandate?
A: "It's a peculiar kind of mandate when you actually lose votes," Kenney says. "I think that should result in some humility, rather than hubris."
A: "It's a peculiar kind of mandate when you actually lose votes," Kenney says. "I think that should result in some humility, rather than hubris."
Does Erin O'Toole have your support to remain leader?
Kenney says the Conservative Party should keep its leader.
Kenney says the Conservative Party should keep its leader.
Kenney is asked about triage in Grande Prairie:
"Triage protocols have not been triggered in Alberta."
Kenney says people the N.W. of Alberta need to step up and get vaccinated.
"Triage protocols have not been triggered in Alberta."
Kenney says people the N.W. of Alberta need to step up and get vaccinated.
Q from @Jantafrench: You said you expect the peak of the fourth wave in late October. How many people will be in ICU and in hospital at that time?
Kenney says worst case scenario is 380 people in the ICU, which is max capacity for Alberta.
Kenney says worst case scenario is 380 people in the ICU, which is max capacity for Alberta.
Follow up: what steps to do we have to take to avoid that?
Kenney says it's what his government is already doing (vaccine passport and restrictions).
Kenney says it's what his government is already doing (vaccine passport and restrictions).
Apparently no questions will be taken from reporters in Calgary at McDougall Centre today. That brings today's news conference to a close.
Oh, just as the news conference was coming to an end, moderator lets @CTVBMacfarlane ask a question:
What do you say to health care workers who are struggling emotionally through this crisis?
Kenney: "I say a word of profound gratitude, that I know all Albertans feel."
What do you say to health care workers who are struggling emotionally through this crisis?
Kenney: "I say a word of profound gratitude, that I know all Albertans feel."
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