Grocery store clerks, taxi drivers and hospitality staff could have childcare provided to them, Premier Jason Kenney announced Wednesday afternoon.
During Wednesday's daily COVID-19 briefing, Kenney said his government is expanding childcare services to all essential service workers, noting the provision of childcare is itself an essential service to those who are providing a “huge range of services” to keep everyone safe.
“Many are parents and the provision of childcare for them is itself an essential service, and that’s why the Government of Alberta is expanding eligibility to ensure the safe and secure childcare they need as we work through the COVID challenge,” he said.
Expanding on the previous announcement of childcare for health workers, people who work in areas including public safety, food and shelter, hospitality, energy and transportation will now be eligible.
A list of childcare centres can be found at alberta.ca/COVID19 (under Info for Albertans).
Centres will be limited to 30 people including staff and will have to adhere to strict sanitization practices.
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A media release said parents should only utilize childcare services if it is the only way they will be able to go to work. Childcare centres that are unable to fill up their spots will be financially compensated.
Childcare centres in Calgary, Edmonton, Devon, Fort McMurray, Fort Saskatchewan, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Red Deer and Stony Plain have reopened. As well, the government is working with the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association and Rural Municipalities of Alberta to identify other areas of need.
Kenney also unveiled three pieces of legislation he said is to protect Albertans health and safety, but also to protect the economy.
In addition to debating Bill 10, which will give law agencies full authority to enforce public health orders, Kenney said that authority will be extended to municipal bylaw officers through ministerial order.
Bill 11 will legislate an announcement last week prohibiting people from being charged retroactively for residential rent increases or late fees, while the state of public heatlh emergency is in effect.
“We are working on additional measures to support renters and landlords, both residential and commercial,” Kenney said.
Lastly, Kenney spoke about the proposed Bill 12, which Kenney said, “will enable expanded, delegated authority for the Orphan Well Association to maintain and manage orphan sites.”
With an injection of $100 million, the Alberta government aims to fast-track the cleanup of orphaned wells.
“The last measure is a critical part of our efforts to keep as many Albertans as possible working and keep our economy moving, as we face a double wammy of a global recession and the collapsing energy prices,” Kenney said.
He added he is optimistic in a forthcoming investment from the federal government in accelerated oil well reclamation that will put thousands of Albertans, particularly in the energy sector, back to work in “good, high paying jobs.”
The last measure is a critical part of our efforts to keep as many Albertans as possible working and keep our economy moving, as we face a double wammy of a global recession and the collapsing energy prices.
