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Alberta

Man at the centre of lockdown battle urges Premier Kenney to ease lockdown restrictions

Published

4 years ago

8 minute read

In Alberta’s political theatre, the little Whistle Stop Cafe along the highway at Mirror is punching way above it’s weight.  By opening to sit-down customers when it wasn’t legal to do so, owner Christopher Scott was risking fines and even imprisonment to keep his small business alive.  Other restaurant and business owners have done the same, but perhaps none have communicated as eloquently with the public. Through his facebook posts, Chris Scott has become the epicentre of the battle to ease COVID-19 lockdown restrictions and reopen businesses.
The latest example is from an article Chris posted to The Whistle Stop Cafe Facebook page on Tuesday evening.  In less than three days the post has been shared well over 1,000 times and hundreds of comments are streaming in from across Alberta and beyond.  It’s clear this restaurant owner has hit a nerve in a province full of small business owners who feel they are on the edge.

The post was written as a response to Premier Kenney’s regular Q and A Facebook livestream with Albertans.

My comment on Premier Kenney’s recent livestream. I’m sorry for the length of it. I had more to say but I’m getting angry just thinking about everything i want to write!
“Premier Kenney, you have a big problem on your hands right now. The majority of us have realized, (after hearing you and Dr. Hinshaw speak,) that these restrictions will be never ending. You and the government that we worked so hard to ensure were given the opportunity to govern responsibly have let us down. Our Party, the UCP is supposed to be a grass roots party guided by its membership. We don’t see that happening. As a matter of fact, we’re demanding that recall legislation is put on the table immediately.
How do you feel knowing that Albertans have given up on you and your governance and instead have asked the owner of a small cafe in the boonies to run for your office? Sounds ridiculous doesn’t it? But it’s very telling. What I see as ridiculous is a government that lives in fear. A government that is hell bent on destroying small business by implementing sweeping mandates that are NOT backed by sufficient evidence. You’re likely to see that once I get my day in court.
I see a government where the Premier is chastising MLA’s for supporting their constituents. That’s completely disgusting. You should never have done that. It shows you wish to silence the voices that need to be heard, to keep your own ego intact.
One of the greatest blessings of being in the middle of a hub like this is that I get to talk to hundreds of people. Just like you do. But I listen. I listen to the doctors, and nurses, and law enforcement people who think what you’re doing is garbage. Do you know how many front line workers I’ve talked to since I put my neck on the chopping block to protest against your restrictions? The repeating information that I get is that it’s BS. Nurses have spoke to me that there was never a concern about COVID like what’s pushed by the media, by you. At first, yes they were worried because they didn’t know what they were dealing with. But not now. Doctors have spoken out to me, (in confidence as they’re worried they will be persecuted for speaking out,) and the common denominator in all the conversations is “this virus is really no different, and in some cases less transmissible and or deadly than previous concerns such as H1N1.” These words come straight from the mouths of those working on the front lines.
Now I’ll concede, of course, that this is a deadly virus worse than your average flu. I’m sure you are aware that most flu strains, common cold etc are of the corona variety. They kill the elderly, every year. Our average death age in Alberta is 82, and remarkably the average COVID death age is 82. What does that tell you? Of course I believe we should protect the vulnerable and elderly. I’m not a monster.
My question is, with the current and ongoing restrictions especially casinos and gaming, you must know that the AGLC is losing up to $18,000,000 PER DAY that would otherwise be funding our healthcare system. That’s a big number and could go a LONG way to protecting our vulnerable. Let’s not even think about the lost tax revenue from small business that will carry losses forward for years.
So who doesn’t care about our front line workers? I’d say the government that shoots AHS in the foot and forces them to enforce rules that HURT our healthcare system! Did you know that in long term care facilities, (which are still being forced to accept COVID positive clients, by the way,) when a staff member tests positive they isolate that wing, test the staff and the staff RETURN TO WORK while awaiting their results? But my cafe of 30 seats will “do irreparable harm to the people of Alberta.” YOU’RE doing irreparable harm with your garbage, sweeping policies that lack evidentiary merit.
I’m growing tired of your veiled, or direct threats. I’m growing tired of your fear mongering and use of the media to peddle this fear. I’m growing tired of hearing heart wrenching tales of the damage to my friends and neighbors from these restrictions. The majority of Albertans are tired of you, and your unwillingness to stand up for us. Our voice is getting louder and louder by the day. We’re becoming organized. We’re listening to each other and we’re taking the time to talk to front line workers, the elderly and frail, and others directly affected or at risk and THEY are supporting our move to lift restrictions as well.
Who are you listening to? Perhaps Ms. Notley’s friend Dr. Hinshaw? We see you’re being led down the wrong path and we refuse to let you take Alberta with you. I suggest you take time to reflect on these words and become the leader you promised you would. If you don’t want to do that, that’s ok too. But in that case, you should get out of the way and let someone else do it.
Respectfully,
Christopher Scott, the irresponsible, selfish Rebel.”
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After 15 years as a TV reporter with Global and CBC and as news director of RDTV in Red Deer, Duane set out on his own 2008 as a visual storyteller. During this period, he became fascinated with a burgeoning online world and how it could better serve local communities. This fascination led to Todayville, launched in 2016.

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Alberta

Made in Alberta! Province makes it easier to support local products with Buy Local program

Published on April 20, 2025

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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.”

RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation

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

 

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Alberta

Province to expand services provided by Alberta Sheriffs: New policing option for municipalities

Published on April 20, 2025

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Expanding municipal police service options

Proposed amendments would help ensure Alberta’s evolving public safety needs are met while also giving municipalities more options for local policing.

As first announced with the introduction of the Public Safety Statutes Amendment Act, 2024, Alberta’s government is considering creating a new independent agency police service to assume the police-like duties currently performed by Alberta Sheriffs. If passed, Bill 49 would lay additional groundwork for the new police service.

Proposed amendments to the Police Act recognize the unique challenges faced by different communities and seek to empower local governments to adopt strategies that effectively respond to their specific safety concerns, enhancing overall public safety across the province.

If passed, Bill 49 would specify that the new agency would be a Crown corporation with an independent board of directors to oversee its day-to-day operations. The new agency would be operationally independent from the government, consistent with all police services in Alberta. Unlike the Alberta Sheriffs, officers in the new police service would be directly employed by the police service rather than by the government.

“With this bill, we are taking the necessary steps to address the unique public safety concerns in communities across Alberta. As we work towards creating an independent agency police service, we are providing an essential component of Alberta’s police framework for years to come. Our aim is for the new agency is to ensure that Albertans are safe in their communities and receive the best possible service when they need it most.”

Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services

Additional amendments would allow municipalities to select the new agency as their local police service once it becomes fully operational and the necessary standards, capacity and frameworks are in place. Alberta’s government is committed to ensuring the new agency works collaboratively with all police services to meet the province’s evolving public safety needs and improve law enforcement response times, particularly in rural communities. While the RCMP would remain the official provincial police service, municipalities would have a new option for their local policing needs.

Once established, the agency would strengthen Alberta’s existing policing model and complement the province’s current police services, which include the RCMP, Indigenous police services and municipal police. It would help fill gaps and ensure law enforcement resources are deployed efficiently across the province.

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