Author: Gateway Gazette Contributor

Government is directing Alberta Health Services to temporarily suspend parking fees for health-care workers and the general public during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Starting April 3, parking at all AHS facilities will be free to health-care workers and the general public. Many health-care workers and physicians are working from home and others need to work…

“Hope will not be cancelled.” This message on a sign at McDougall United Church in Edmonton reflects the times. Spiritual leaders and their followers are changing how they worship in the shadow of COVID-19. That’s especially true as Jews, Christians, Sikhs and Muslims prepare for some of their most important celebrations: Passover, Easter, Vaisakh and…

Provincial and federal meat inspectors will share resources to ensure a consistent supply of safe food products for Albertans and Canadians. To ensure the continuous operation of Alberta’s food supply chain, the provincial government is partnering with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to increase food inspector capacity. Training will begin soon, which will allow…

Nine non-profits will receive $3 million to provide additional food assistance for vulnerable K-12 students and families in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The non-profit organizations, which will each receive $300,000 or $375,000, have extensive experience serving their communities in Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Grande Prairie and Fort McMurray. This $3 million…

Premier Jason Kenney issued the following statement to mark the National Day of Remembrance of the Battle of Vimy Ridge: “On the morning of April 9, 1917, on a battlefield in France, a deafening artillery barrage began. Advancing steadily behind this unprecedented wave of destruction were all four divisions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, brought…

The Royal Canadian Legion and its volunteer members are challenging COVID-19! With a little ingenuity and in the spirit of supporting our Veterans and communities, amazing work is happening in many parts of the country – members have found ways to continue helping while respecting advice from medical officials. Virtual meetings One example is Buddy Check…

Modelling projections for COVID-19 highlight the importance of continuing aggressive countermeasures to protect the lives and livelihoods of Albertans in order to stop the pandemic and restart the economy. Alberta Health’s modelling projections indicate total cases range from 800,000 to one million infections, from mild and undiagnosed to detected, confirmed and treated, under two provincial…

Government is expanding eligibility for select licensed child care centres to provide child care for all essential service workers. In addition to the previously eligible front-line health-care workers, critical infrastructure workers and first responders, child care is now available to anyone who works in the critical areas outlined as essential by government. A full list…

Premier Jason Kenney wishes Alberta’s Jewish community a happy Passover: “Albertans of Jewish faith are celebrating Passover, commemorating the enslavement, fight against oppression and eventual emancipation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. “The COVID-19 pandemic is limiting the size of the gatherings, but families are still finding ways to feast, share in thousand-year-old rituals, and…

Leela Sharon Aheer, Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women, issued the following statement on Sikh Heritage Month: “In April, we honour Sikh heritage month. Alberta’s rich and vibrant Sikh community is a tribute to our incredible diversity and we acknowledge the many contributions of Sikh Canadians in our own communities. “The first Sikh…

April 8 at 5 p.m. There are now 518 confirmed recovered cases of COVID-19.  Fifty new cases have been reported, bringing the total number of cases in Alberta to 1,423. Three more Albertans, including a resident at the McKenzie Towne Continuing Care Centre, have died since the last report, bringing the total deaths in the…