Monday, August 11: The provincial government begins taking pre-orders for the fall COVID-19 and influenza vaccines. Because of UCP government changes, Albertans now need to order the COVID-19 vaccine in advance and pay for it out of pocket (at least $100). The province has also ordered 240,000 fewer doses of the vaccine than it gave out last year.
Read More: Should Vaccinations be Mandatory?
August 11: News circulated over the weekend that the UCP government quietly changed expense disclosure policies for senior officials. The premier, ministers and deputy ministers no longer need to publicly disclose receipts for expenses over $100. Eight years of expense reports previously available on the government’s website have been removed.
Read More: The Hidden Connections in the Skybox Photo
Tuesday, August 12: An Alberta Infrastructure document reveals that one of two involuntary drug treatment facilities planned as part of the UCP government’s “compassionate intervention” strategy will be built next to Calgary’s Royal Oak neighbourhood. The area hosts the Calgary Remand Centre and the Calgary Correctional Centre.
Read More: What’s Wrong With Rehab
Wednesday, August 13: Alberta Parks issues a bear warning that covers all protected areas in Kananaskis and the Bow Valley. The last Kananaskis-wide warning was in 2016. The province currently has 17 active bear advisories, an unusually high number.
Read More: Problem Grizzly or Problem Politics?
Thursday, August 14: A Court of King’s Bench justice dismisses Alberta separatists’ “motion to strike,” ruling that Alberta’s chief electoral officer must refer the separatists’ referendum question for a constitutional review.
Read More: Alberta and Ottawa
Friday, August 15: At an Alberta Next town hall in Edmonton last night, premier Danielle Smith said the UCP government will consider rescinding its new policy to stop publicly disclosing expense receipts of over $100. Smith claims that the policy was originally created for the safety of ministers who frequent specific hotels when travelling for work.
Read More: The UCP Want More Control
