JASON KENNEY FAILS TO SUPPORT CALGARY REOPENING

CALGARY – Alberta NDP Calgary MLAs Joe Ceci, Kathleen Ganley and Irfan Sabir delivered the following statements following the announcement by Jason Kenney that Calgary and Brooks will enter Phase 1 of reopening on May 25:

“Jason Kenney has failed Calgary. While today’s announcement that Calgary and Brooks will enter Phase 1 of reopening is good news, this Premier has left businesses in Alberta’s largest city unprepared and unsupported. Worse, he cost them money by pulling the rug out from under them last week and refuses to take responsibility. Business owners lost money on preparing to reopen - including restaurants that saw their inventory spoil. We’ve heard from restaurant owners they’ve lost on average $10,000. These entrepreneurs need more than vague reassurances. They need support. They need to be reimbursed after Jason Kenney blindsided them,” said Joe Ceci, MLA for Calgary-Buffalo and Critic for Municipal Affairs.

“Everyone wants to get back to business as usual, but we also need to be safe - which means more support and guidance is needed to help small businesses operate. Jason Kenney has not done enough to support Calgary businesses. While they are anxious to greet customers, many feel unprepared to open their doors - some are struggling with serious cash flow problems, safety concerns, and a lack of clear guidelines from the province. Today’s announcement is good news, but businesses need more than a green light - they need support to ensure they can operate safely in this new environment,” said Kathleen Ganley, MLA for Calgary-Mountainview and Critic for Justice.

“Business owners are struggling to pay their commercial rent and keep their insurance in good standing. And that’s before they start considering staff salaries and the cost of rebuilding inventory. This is why we have asked the UCP to provide real financial support to help offset these costs, as well as implement an eviction ban to make sure no owner is locked out during this pandemic. Businesses can’t afford to wait for Jason Kenney to make the right decision. He needs to step up, and he needs to step up now,” said Irfan Sabir, MLA for Calgary-McCall and Critic for Energy.