Garth Rowswell

LIVE: Announcing new public health measures to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Starting May 4, Alberta teachers, early childhood educators, and support staff can start booking their shots. With this expansion of eligibility, more than 52,0...00 certified teachers, 29,000 support staff and 24,000 child care workers will be able to get the vaccine. With more vaccines coming in, we are expanding the rollout to further protect schools and child care facilities. We know how challenging this pandemic has been on our front-line workers. They have worked incredibly hard throughout this pandemic, continuing to teach and provide support for young people every day. By offering them the vaccine, we are making schools, daycares and communities safer throughout our province. All certified teachers actively teaching in kindergarten through grade 12 are eligible, as well as support workers such as education assistants, bus drivers, custodians and others who support schools. All eligible Albertans are encouraged to book appointments as soon as possible. Book your shot today: alberta.ca/vaccine More details: https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm

LIVE: Update on Alberta’s COVID-19

LIVE: Update on Alberta's Continuing Care Centres and COVID-19 Vaccine rollout

I was happy to stand in the House to highlight some of the excellent work Alberta's government has done to reduce the red tape burden on our job creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs.

It is important that we observe Remembrance Day on November 11. It was on this day in 1918 that the Armistice was signed and guns fell silent on the Western front battlefields, finally bringing peace after years of hellish trench warfare throughout the First World War. Since then, Canadians have always answered the call in the name of freedom, peace and democracy.... On Remembrance Day, we especially pay tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Their memory is indeed hallowed in the land they loved. We also say thank you to our veterans and those currently serving. Additionally, we acknowledge the contribution of the families of veterans and those serving. Lest we forget!

The reports of park closures were grossly exaggerated (apologies to Mark Twain). The dissemination of false reports is becoming an endemic problem. A prime, current, example of this issue is the campaign of misinformation waged by the NDP opposition and other special interest groups trying to convince Albertans that parks will be closed or sold off and developed.... "Nothing could be further from the truth". Albertans value and cherish their provincial parks. Alberta’s government also cherishes parks. Alberta’s parks will continue to be open and accessible for all to enjoy. All sites remain fully protected and owned by Alberta Environment and Parks. No current sites will be industrially developed. This year alone the UCP government has invested $43 million in upgrading them. However, Albert is in a time of fiscal restraint. We believe Albertans elected the UCP government to make difficult decisions. The government must find ways of saving money. We seek to do so without too much disruption to service delivery. So, those who are concerned that their recreation opportunities could be impacted by these changes can rest assured that will not happen. Our UCP caucus has just launched My Parks Will Go On, a campaign countering misinformation and outright lies from the NDP and other groups about our plan for Alberta’s parks. Despite the false and misleading information being spread by some, your parks will go on. Alberta’s parks belong to Albertans, and it’s going to stay that way. We encourage you to visit: www.MyParksWillGoOn.ca to find out more information about how the government is protecting parks for all Albertans.

I was honored to stand in the House today to bring attention to the struggles facing rural Albertans when it comes to their internet. I’d also like to bring attention to the town of Vermillion and what they are doing to try and bridge this digital chasm.

My visit to the Cornerstone Co-op in Vermilion. Covid-19 has presented big challenges to all aspects of society. As everybody is aware, the retail sector has experienced a variety of situations, particularly at the beginning of the pandemic where some stores had to close while others were allowed to remain open, but had to make adaptations to procedures. At the outset I’d like to pay tribute to all those in retail who have courageously and steadfastly carried on with their jo...bs despite the element of risk involved. Stores like the Co-op continue to provide high quality service and essential needs no matter what the circumstances. During a recent visit to my local Cornerstone Co-op store in Vermilion, Mike Senger, Food Division Manager, kindly showed me around the food store, pharmacy, liquor store and gas bar facilities. Some highlights and points of note from my visit are: The grocery store was required to limit some of its items (stock keeping units -SKUs) on offer. On the brighter side they increased their capacity of their click and collect scheme the Co-op’s shop on line facility, reducing contact and protecting the most vulnerable. The pharmacy too offered curb side pick-up. This certainly helped to not put those with existing issues at risk. Just to note the pharmacy at the store does more than simply provide prescriptions. They offer a wide range of mobility devices, including scooters and walking aids, plus some great free advice. The staff in the liquor store were keen to brief me on the wide selection of craft beer recently made available and their ability to sell it in a ‘bulk’ format. This includes the ability for a customer to bring their own bottle BYOB and have it sanitized and refilled from the selections on offer. My visit to the gas bar raised a red tape issue of bulk fuel and particularly purple fuel. I’ll be speaking to my colleague Grant Hunter, Associate Minister of Red Tape about adopting the Saskatchewan model with regards to bulk fuel processes. Aside from wearing masks in the gas bar store, little else has affected day to day procedures. One recent addition though has been the Booster Juice station. This has proven to be an enormously popular offering. All in all, I had a thoroughly enjoyable time at the Vermilion Co-op. I had some interesting conversations with staff and heard some entertaining stories. Morale is high at the store, and the service is first class. My thanks to store manager Graham Getz for inviting me to visit. Please keep supporting the local stores, and staff, who support you.

Alberta Budget 2021 Consultation Alberta’s government is planning for Budget 2021 and wants to hear from Albertans. Alberta has been hit especially hard by the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and oil price collapse. ... This has led to decreased revenues, increased expenses, higher than anticipated debt, and a record high deficit. Tough decisions must be made now so that Alberta’s government can continue to provide programs and services to Albertans. It’s important all Albertans have an opportunity to share their ideas about the upcoming budget. Visit www.alberta.ca/BudgetConsultation to have your say via a survey. If you prefer to speak directly to the Minister he will be holding telephone town halls. In our area this will be on: o Central Alberta: December 2, 6:30-8 p.m. Participation details will be available closer to the event on this website: https://www.alberta.ca/budget-2021-consultation.aspx Please consider getting involved in this important subject.