UCP leadership hopeful Danielle Smith outlined her Protect our Kids policy to address the difficulties faced by children and their parents during the last two years of lockdowns in Alberta..“The last two years of lockdowns, fear and isolation were extremely harmful to them. As a result, we are seeing an epidemic of mental health and substance abuse issues among young people at levels never before seen,” Smith said..According to Smith, Alberta’s children have faced unprecedented challenges to their education, mental health, and social development. Smith underscored the mistakes of this period need to be acknowledged and addressed..As a candidate for premier, Smith outlined her plan to return decision-making power to parents, and to provide much needed support..The Smith plan includes, no more lockdowns with a focus on protecting the vulnerable while preventing social and mental harm to Alberta’s kids..Smith said there will be no COVID-19 vaccine mandates for children and she will provide parents with the information they need to make an informed choice with their family doctor..Smith will also increase investment in youth mental health to identify and assist kids in need of counselling and support..She will also add testing, tutoring and more education assistants for math, science, and English studies to remediate lost time for Alberta students..“We cannot fail our kids. Not after what they’ve been through these past two years. They’re more than worth it.”
