Alberta
Alberta NDP calling on Premier to denounce UCP MLA’s calling for an end to lockdowns
From the Alberta NDP
KENNEY’S SILENCE ALLOWS UCP MLAS TO UNDERMINE PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS
Jason Kenney must explain to Albertans following COVID-19 public health orders why he has continually failed to take action against the members of his own Caucus who are undermining those orders from a position of authority and putting lives at risk in the process.
On Tuesday, it was revealed that UCP MLA’s Drew Barnes and Angela Pitt had signed up as Members of the “End the Lockdown Caucus”, a group that declares, “lockdowns cause more harm than the virus and must be brought to an end.”
It was also learned Tuesday that senior UCP Cabinet Minister Jason Nixon and UCP Caucus Chair Todd Loewen had joined Drew Barnes in the undermining of public health orders by telling local papers that they would be pushing for a regional re-opening, an action that directly contradicts the advice given by Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw.
“Jason Kenney promised to introduce a culture of discipline to the scandal ridden, arrogant and out-of-touch UCP,” said David Shepherd, NDP Health Critic. “He also promised to build a database of extremists to keep them from taking over the UCP. Instead we see that the extremists are well and truly running the UCP.”
The End the Lockdown Caucus includes, Wildrose Independence Party Leader Paul Hinman, former Separatist MLA Gordon Kessler, MP Derek Sloan, who was expelled from the Conservative Party of Canada for accepting a donation from a white nationalist, and Leader of the People’s Party of Canada, Maxime Bernier.
“Months of Jason Kenney’s failed chaotic leadership is empowering and encouraging the extreme, anti-science members of the UCP,” said Shepherd. “Kenney must discipline these MLAs for endangering Albertans through their reckless and selfish behaviour.”
MLA Pitt stated publicly: “One hundred per cent, more people in the caucus will join us. I tried to work on things internally, but it was not working on the inside”.
Jason Kenney will be speaking to the media at 1pm on Wednesday. If he is serious about protecting the lives and livelihoods of Albertans, he will denounce the dangerous stance taken by his Caucus.
“Jason Kenney must explain why he has allowed a rebellion of anti-health to take over the UCP and why won’t he do a thing to stop it?” Shepherd said. “This Premier’s leadership is either so weak that he can’t stop them, or he is so indifferent to the medical advice of Dr. Hinshaw that he is allowing his Caucus to spread medically false statements during a global pandemic. Either way, this is not the leadership Alberta needs.”
The new Red Deer Justice Centre will help Albertans resolve their legal matters faster.
Albertans deserve to have access to a fair, accessible and transparent justice system. Modernizing Alberta’s courthouse infrastructure will help make sure Alberta’s justice system runs efficiently and meets the needs of the province’s growing population.
Alberta’s government has invested $191 million to build the new Red Deer Justice Centre, increasing the number of courtrooms from eight to 12, allowing more cases to be heard at one time.
“Modern, accessible courthouses and streamlined services not only strengthen our justice
system – they build safer, stronger communities across the province. Investing in the new Red Deer Justice Centre is vital to helping our justice system operate more efficiently, and will give people in Red Deer and across central Alberta better access to justice.”
Government of Alberta and Judiciary representatives with special guests at the Red Deer Justice Centre plaque unveiling event April 22, 2025.
On March 3, all court services in Red Deer began operating out of the new justice centre. The new justice centre has 12 courtrooms fully built and equipped with video-conference equipment to allow witnesses to attend remotely if they cannot travel, and vulnerable witnesses to testify from outside the courtroom.
The new justice centre also has spaces for people taking alternative approaches to the traditional courtroom trial process, with the three new suites for judicial dispute resolution services, a specific suite for other dispute resolution services, such as family mediation and civil mediation, and a new Indigenous courtroom with dedicated venting for smudging purposes.
“We are very excited about this new courthouse for central Alberta. Investing in the places where people seek justice shows respect for the rights of all Albertans. The Red Deer Justice Centre fills a significant infrastructure need for this rapidly growing part of the province. It is also an important symbol of the rule of law, meaning that none of us are above the law, and there is an independent judiciary to decide disputes. This is essential for a healthy functioning democracy.”
“Public safety and access to justice go hand in hand. With this investment in the new Red Deer Justice Centre, Alberta’s government is ensuring that communities are safer, legal matters are resolved more efficiently and all Albertans get the support they need.”
“This state-of-the-art facility will serve the people of Red Deer and surrounding communities for generations. Our team at Infrastructure is incredibly proud of the work done to plan, design and build this project. I want to thank everyone, at all levels, who helped make this project a reality.”
Budget 2025 is meeting the challenge faced by Alberta with continued investments in education and health, lower taxes for families and a focus on the economy.
Quick facts
- The new Red Deer Justice Centre is 312,000 sq ft (29,000 m2). (The old courthouse is 98,780 sq ft (9,177 m2)).
- The approved project funding for the Red Deer Justice Centre is about $191 million.
Show your Alberta side. Buy Local. |
When the going gets tough, Albertans stick together. That’s why Alberta’s government is launching a new campaign to benefit hard-working Albertans.
Global uncertainty is threatening the livelihoods of hard-working Alberta farmers, ranchers, processors and their families. The ‘Buy Local’ campaign, recently launched by Alberta’s government, encourages consumers to eat, drink and buy local to show our unified support for the province’s agriculture and food industry.
The government’s ‘Buy Local’ campaign encourages consumers to buy products from Alberta’s hard-working farmers, ranchers and food processors that produce safe, nutritious food for Albertans, Canadians and the world.
“It’s time to let these hard-working Albertans know we have their back. Now, more than ever, we need to shop local and buy made-in-Alberta products. The next time you are grocery shopping or go out for dinner or a drink with your friends or family, support local to demonstrate your Alberta pride. We are pleased tariffs don’t impact the ag industry right now and will keep advocating for our ag industry.”
Alberta’s government supports consumer choice. We are providing tools to help folks easily identify Alberta- and Canadian-made foods and products. Choosing local products keeps Albertans’ hard-earned dollars in our province. Whether it is farm-fresh vegetables, potatoes, honey, craft beer, frozen food or our world-renowned beef, Alberta has an abundance of fresh foods produced right on our doorstep.
Quick facts
- This summer, Albertans can support local at more than 150 farmers’ markets across the province and meet the folks who make, bake and grow our food.
- In March 2023, the Alberta government launched the ‘Made in Alberta’ voluntary food and beverage labelling program to support local agriculture and food sectors.
- Through direct connections with processors, the program has created the momentum to continue expanding consumer awareness about the ‘Made in Alberta’ label to help shoppers quickly identify foods and beverages produced in our province.
- Made in Alberta product catalogue website
Related information
BREAKING: THE FEDERAL BRIEF THAT SHOULD SINK CARNEY
Ottawa Confirms China interfering with 2025 federal election: Beijing Seeks to Block Joe Tay’s Election
How Canada’s Mainstream Media Lost the Public Trust
Indigenous-led Projects Hold Key To Canada’s Energy Future
-
Business2 days agoIs Government Inflation Reporting Accurate?
-
2025 Federal Election2 days agoCarney’s Hidden Climate Finance Agenda
-
2025 Federal Election2 days agoWhen it comes to pipelines, Carney’s words flow both ways
-
2025 Federal Election2 days agoStudy links B.C.’s drug policies to more overdoses, but researchers urge caution
-
2025 Federal Election2 days agoPolls say Canadians will give Trump what he wants, a Carney victory.
-
2025 Federal Election1 day agoCarney Liberals pledge to follow ‘gender-based goals analysis’ in all government policy
-
2025 Federal Election1 day agoPoilievre’s Conservatives promise to repeal policy allowing male criminals in female jails
-
2025 Federal Election1 day agoTrump Has Driven Canadians Crazy. This Is How Crazy.