Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is establishing an expert panel — led by Preston Manning — to review the legislation and governance practices used by the Kenney government during the management of the COVID-19 public health emergency..Smith will then recommend changes necessary to improve government response to future health emergencies..“There are valuable lessons we learned from the Alberta government’s response to the COVID-19 public health emergency," Smith said.."It’s important that we apply those lessons to strengthen our management of future public health crises, and the panel’s recommendations will be key in doing so.”.As part of its review, the panel will invite experts and the public to provide their views on how the government can better respond to future health emergencies while mitigating impacts on the social well-being, mental health, civil liberties and livelihoods of Albertans..With this feedback in mind, the panel will review relevant legislation to ascertain whether there are amendments that can assist the government to improve its response to a future public health crisis..Panel chair Manning, former Reform Party leader, will then make recommendations to Smith, as to the final membership of the panel in the coming months..“It’s crucial we take the opportunity to review the province’s COVID-19 response and examine whether and how that approach can be improved in future health emergencies," Manning said.."I look forward to working with my fellow panellists and hearing from Albertans about how the province can best achieve this objective.”.The panel will provide its final report and recommendations to the government by November 15..In reviewing applicable legislation and governance practices, the panel will consider and balance various factors in the overall context of a public health emergency, including:.general public health and health informationmental health and wellnesschild and student health, mental health and educationhealth professionals’ practice standardseffective implementation of emergency measuresprotection of rights and freedomseconomic and financial effectsemployment standards.During the pandemic, many decisions were made by the UCP government and angered Albertans. Former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney issued many stark warnings to the province..“Case numbers have been over 800 for two days straight and hospitalizations above 300, though declining in recent days,” said Kenney during a press conference..Kenney warned those who continued to defy the public health measures, stating the “variants are winning” and are “sending more people to the hospital.”.Schools were closed, and the province introduced mask mandates and vaccine passports..Mandatory mask requirements were lifted in Alberta on June 14, 2022..Manning's panel will review the decisions and make recommendations..The budget for the panel is $2 million. Manning, as the panel chair, will be paid $253,000 for his services..Other panel members will be recommended by the chair for the premier’s final approval..“Almost a quarter of a million dollars is a lot of Albertans’ money to hire someone to chair a committee that has obviously been struck for political gain,” Alberta NDP Health Critic David Shepherd said..“I know families who are struggling to pay their utility bills and their car insurance will ask why this is how their tax dollars are being spent, and health-care workers will be wondering why our ambulances and hospitals are starved for resources.”
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is establishing an expert panel — led by Preston Manning — to review the legislation and governance practices used by the Kenney government during the management of the COVID-19 public health emergency..Smith will then recommend changes necessary to improve government response to future health emergencies..“There are valuable lessons we learned from the Alberta government’s response to the COVID-19 public health emergency," Smith said.."It’s important that we apply those lessons to strengthen our management of future public health crises, and the panel’s recommendations will be key in doing so.”.As part of its review, the panel will invite experts and the public to provide their views on how the government can better respond to future health emergencies while mitigating impacts on the social well-being, mental health, civil liberties and livelihoods of Albertans..With this feedback in mind, the panel will review relevant legislation to ascertain whether there are amendments that can assist the government to improve its response to a future public health crisis..Panel chair Manning, former Reform Party leader, will then make recommendations to Smith, as to the final membership of the panel in the coming months..“It’s crucial we take the opportunity to review the province’s COVID-19 response and examine whether and how that approach can be improved in future health emergencies," Manning said.."I look forward to working with my fellow panellists and hearing from Albertans about how the province can best achieve this objective.”.The panel will provide its final report and recommendations to the government by November 15..In reviewing applicable legislation and governance practices, the panel will consider and balance various factors in the overall context of a public health emergency, including:.general public health and health informationmental health and wellnesschild and student health, mental health and educationhealth professionals’ practice standardseffective implementation of emergency measuresprotection of rights and freedomseconomic and financial effectsemployment standards.During the pandemic, many decisions were made by the UCP government and angered Albertans. Former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney issued many stark warnings to the province..“Case numbers have been over 800 for two days straight and hospitalizations above 300, though declining in recent days,” said Kenney during a press conference..Kenney warned those who continued to defy the public health measures, stating the “variants are winning” and are “sending more people to the hospital.”.Schools were closed, and the province introduced mask mandates and vaccine passports..Mandatory mask requirements were lifted in Alberta on June 14, 2022..Manning's panel will review the decisions and make recommendations..The budget for the panel is $2 million. Manning, as the panel chair, will be paid $253,000 for his services..Other panel members will be recommended by the chair for the premier’s final approval..“Almost a quarter of a million dollars is a lot of Albertans’ money to hire someone to chair a committee that has obviously been struck for political gain,” Alberta NDP Health Critic David Shepherd said..“I know families who are struggling to pay their utility bills and their car insurance will ask why this is how their tax dollars are being spent, and health-care workers will be wondering why our ambulances and hospitals are starved for resources.”
