News Release

UCP MUST RECALL LEGISLATURE TO PASS PROTECTION FOR WORKERS, SMALL BUSINESSES

 
EDMONTON – The Alberta NDP Caucus demands UCP House Leader Jason Nixon recall the Legislative Assembly to quickly pass emergency legislation to protect Albertans through the fourth wave.
 
In a letter sent to Nixon on Wednesday, the Official Opposition is calling for the UCP government to start showing leadership and call an emergency session so MLAs can quickly pass critical legislation that would help stop the spread of COVID-19 as the fourth wave continues to devastate Albertans.
 
Specifically, the NDP is seeking to pass legislation that will implement 10 days of paid sick leave for workers and protect struggling businesses from being evicted due to non-payment of commercial rent.
 
“Even in this disastrous fourth wave, there are Albertans compelled to go to work sick in order to pay their rent and buy food,” said NDP House Leader and Edmonton-Mill Woods MLA Christina Gray. “And there are small businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector, who are reeling from the losses created by Jason Kenney’s latest round of restrictions.
 
“Our caucus is ready to work—to do whatever it takes—to protect Albertans and walk a path out of this crisis. 
 
“If the legislature were recalled this week, we would work with the Government to pass this life-saving policy and any other bills necessary to protect Albertans. I believe that working collaboratively we could get these measures through the House in a single day.”
 
The call to reconvene the Legislative Assembly is on top of previous calls from the NDP for:

A simple, secure and scannable vaccine passport system that is mandatory in all non-essential settings, as has been done in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia.

An independent COVID-19 science advisory table that reports recommendations to the government and the public for saving lives and slowing the spread of the virus.

Support for kids in school, including a province-wide mask mandate and the addition of mental health counselors at every school.

Support for small businesses impacted by the fourth wave, including new grants of up to $25,000.

Daily COVID-19 briefings.

 
The letter is co-signed by signed by Deputy House Leader and Edmonton-South MLA Thomas Dang, Deputy House Leader and Calgary-McCall MLA Irfan, Official Opposition Whip and Edmonton-Northwest MLA David Eggen, Deputy Whip and Edmonton-McClung MLA Lorne Dach, and Deputy Whip and Edmonton-Highlands Norwood MLA Janis Irwin.