Nicholas Milliken

LIVE: Alberta is expanding use of rapid testing in our long term care and supportive living facilities for asymptomatic staff, and undertaking a new pilot project with Suncor to test effectiveness of rapid testing in workplace screening.

Starting Feb. 8, children and youth will be able to participate in lessons, practices and conditioning activities for indoor and outdoor team-based minor sports and athletics. Alberta's government knows how important kids sports and activities are. We continue to carefully ease restrictions as pressure on the health system declines. All other previously announced measures set to ease in Step 1 will also be permitted starting on Feb. 8 as part of Alberta’s four-step path forward. To learn more about Alberta's four-step path forward visit: www.alberta.ca/enhanced-public-health-measures.aspx. calgary.ctvnews.ca/restricted-return-for-minor-sports-now-a

Applications are now open for the Energy Savings for Business Program. This program, funded in part through the Technology, Innovation, and Emissions Reduction (TIER) program, is expected to support up to 160,000 projects province-wide, inject $196 million into Alberta’s economy, and create 8,700 jobs. To learn more and to apply visit eralberta.ca/energy-savings-for-business/.

Alberta honours and respects the service of our brave veterans and their families. That is why Alberta’s Government is investing to fund a two year veteran-friendly campus pilot program at the University of Alberta. Post-secondary education is key to helping those who risked their lives to defend our country find success in other professions once their service has ended. This program is leading the way by providing world-class support and services for veterans, helping our province to attract top students from across the country. To learn more and view today's announcement visit www.alberta.ca/release.cfm.

Alberta's government is providing historic support to help small businesses tackle the challenges brought on by the pandemic. Starting today, new businesses and unregistered sole proprietors can also apply for the small business relaunch grant. To date our government has paid out over $311 million in grants to over 45,000 businesses, and the application period is still open. To learn more and to apply visit www.alberta.ca/sme-relaunch-grant.aspx.

Alberta's government knows how important supportive living, residential addiction and mental health treatment services are. That is why our government announced an additional $68.5 million to help operators of continuing care and mental health and addiction treatment facilities across Alberta protect residents and the staff who take care of them. It will support operators in procuring PPE and additional cleaning supplies, and will help pay for additional staff. To learn more and view today's announcement visit www.alberta.ca/release.cfm.