WHY IS JASON KENNEY HIDING COVID-19 MODELLING FROM ALBERTANS?

EDMONTON - Canada’s Chief Medical Officer of Health released national-level COVID-19 modelling to Canadians today, while Premier Jason Kenney continues to withhold his government’s own analysis from Albertans.

“The numbers we saw today are staggering,” said David Shepherd, NDP Health Critic. “It is inexcusable that Premier Kenney has not released Alberta specific modelling.”

The data released by Dr Tam includes a single graph of Alberta modelling, which suggests a steep rise in daily new cases through to at least the end of 2020.

Both Shepherd and NDP Opposition Leader Rachel Notley have repeatedly pressured Kenney and Health Minister Tyler Shandro to release updated modelling. They have denied it exists, and the Alberta government website reports “no updated models are being planned at this time.”

“Statistical modelling of infectious diseases is a core function of public health,” Shepherd said. “Clearly Dr. Tam is preparing COVID-19 models along with her colleagues across the country. Jason Kenney had to have known that this second wave was coming, and surely, he has access to local data that could tell us how bad it is going to get if we don’t take immediate action.”

Alberta’s NDP Opposition is also renewing its call for a targeted provincial mask policy for all indoor public spaces on the enhanced list. 

“Alberta is the only province that hasn’t implemented a mask policy,” Shepherd said. “This is a simple, common-sense measure that protects families and businesses. Kenney needs to stop pandering to the anti-mask conspiracy theorists in his caucus and take action. Time is running out to prevent another lockdown.”