Alberta Announces Updated COVID-19 Restrictions ...

what are the new regulations for covid in alberta

what are the new regulations for covid in alberta - win

FluroTech Provides Executive Update on Program Advancements

Flurotech
TSX: $TEST | OTCQB: $FLURF
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAcqwoeyhM0&t=282s
They're developing a way to rapidly test for COVID19 using saliva at entry ways of stadiums, airports, offices, etc. (2,500 tests per hour, individual results in 5 minutes). News just released this morning: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/02/03/2169027/0/en/FluroTech-Provides-Executive-Update-on-Program-Advancements.html
CALGARY, Alberta, Feb. 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Flurotech Ltd. (TSX: $TEST) | (OTCQB: $FLURF) (“FluroTech” or the “Company”), a leading developer of spectroscopy-based technology, together with FluroTest, LLC (“FluroTest”), a first-mover in surge-scale rapid antigen testing for the detection of COVID-19 and other pathogens, today announced that it is actively working and achieving major milestones as the Company prepares its application for emergency use authorization (“EUA”) with the FDA.
Key activity includes:
Clinical Trial
FluroTest is in daily discussions with a major U.S. based healthcare system and finalizing plans to conduct clinical trials. FluroTest intends to complete a comprehensive and large-scale clinical trial to obtain the requisite data on its systems performance for EUA consideration. The company will update the market as appropriate.
“Team excitement and enthusiasm are running high this week,” said Bill Phelan, CEO of FluroTest. “The opportunity to secure such a renowned clinical trial partner is an essential part of our plan to earn public trust and secure major contracts. As we take steps to formalize this mass trial engagement, our vision is to ultimately prove the efficacy of our system, which our proof-of-concept work has shown to be ‘unlike any other.’ This past week we saw Bill Gates calling for the development of a ‘mega test’ to help manage the next pandemic -- but following what I believe will be a highly successful clinical validation, our aim is to make a major impact on the one we’re currently living in.”
Amalgamation
FluroTech has accelerated the financial, regulatory and legal due diligence to complete the transaction with FluroTest shareholders to obtain 95% of the interest in FluroTest. This amalgamation is subject to TSXV conditions and approvals. FluroTech is working to ensure this process is carried out in the most efficient manner possible and will update the market as appropriate.
“After speaking with our major shareholders, we remain committed to complete the amalgamation with FluroTest in the quickest and most economical way possible. We are working closely with the TSX Venture Exchange to figure out exactly what that will look like, and I’m pleased to say that we’re all aligned and committed to this goal.” said Danny Dalla-Longa, CEO of FluroTech
“Since completing the financing we have been able to accelerate all of our plans, and as a major shareholder and CEO of FluroTest, I look forward to completing the amalgamation process and moving forward to commercialization as a single entity,” said Bill Phelan, CEO of FluroTest.
SARS-Cov-2 Variants
FluroTest has been informed by its biologics supplier that the reagent pair it utilizes has been shown to detect the variant strains first emerging in the U.K. and in South Africa. FluroTest targets the nucleocapsid protein on the SARS-Cov-2 coronavirus and a majority of the mutations appearing to date are of the spike protein.The Company continues to monitor the situation closely and does not anticipate efficacy concerns with the variants that have occurred thus far.
“In light of the recent news circulating about new variants, vaccine efficacy and the adoption of mass scale rapid testing we believe that we are entering the market at an opportune time,” Dalla-Longa continued. “To date, I haven’t seen another feasible point-of-entry testing solution and we aim to fill that gap for our customers large and small. After clinicals, we’re in for a game changer.”
About FluroTech (TSXV: TEST) (OTCQB: FLURF)
The goal of FluroTech’s research and technology is to develop detection methods which are sensitive, specific, and easy-to-use. By combining FluroTech’s proprietary spectroscopy-based technology with laboratory robotics automation and cloud computing, FluroTech, through the application of its technology and investment in Flurotest, has created a unique solution addressing the current and future pandemics. Using technology that was first developed at the University of Calgary, the FluroTest SARS-CoV-2 test is designed to identify patients with active virus infection; this is not necessarily the case for most of the currently approved tests that are meant to identify patients with SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid. FluroTech’s laboratory is led by Dr. Elmar Prenner, the original developer of the technology. Dr. Prenner serves as senior science advisor of FluroTech and brings over 28 years of expertise in fluorescence spectroscopy. To learn more, visit FluroTech.com
About FluroTest LLC
FluroTest, a first-mover in surge-scale rapid antigen testing for the detection of SARS-CoV2 and other pathogens, is developing a pandemic defense and economic recovery system purpose-built for businesses and special-needs populations requiring fast and highly efficient testing for significant numbers of people. Unlike individual or low-throughput tests, FluroTest’s system is designed to be well-suited for high-traffic, high-risk pandemic environments including schools and colleges, hospitals and large healthcare facilities, athletic stadiums and performance venues, airline and cruise ship terminals, corporate campuses, shopping centers, manufacturing facilities, transportation and distribution hubs, and other large business and retail locations. Created to support executive business continuity efforts, the system combines and leverages the disciplines of robotics automation, biochemistry, fluorescence detection and cloud computing -- processing thousands of tests per hour while delivering accurate, digitally verifiable results to a test taker’s mobile device within 5 minutes. To learn more, visit FluroTest.com
For all investor inquiries:
MarketSmart Communications Inc.
1-877-261-4466
[email protected]
For general inquiries:
[email protected]
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information generally refers to information about an issuer’s business, capital, technology or operations that is prospective in nature, and includes future-oriented financial information about the issuer’s prospective financial performance or financial position. The forward-looking information in this news release includes disclosure about the ability of the Company’s testing devices to accurately and quickly detect COVID-19 and to process large numbers of samples in short time frames, the benefits of and demand for the Company’s testing devices, its efforts to obtain approval of the FDA and Health Canada, its potential partnership with a major U.S. based healthcare system and finalizing plans to conduct clinical trials and its intent to amalgamate with FluroTest Systems Ltd which owns a 95% interest in FluorTest LLC. The Company made certain material assumptions, including but not limited to prevailing market conditions and general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, the ability to obtain FDA and Health Canada approvals, the demand for its COVID-19 testing devices and their ability to perform as expected, its potential partnership with a major U.S. based healthcare system and finalizing plans to conduct clinical trials and its intent to amalgamate with FluroTest Systems Ltd which owns a 95% interest in FluorTest LLC and to obtain the regulatory approvals required in connection with the same, to develop the forward-looking information in this news release. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Actual results may vary from the forward-looking information in this news release due to certain material risk factors described in the Corporation’s Annual Information Form under the heading “Risk Factors”, the failure to develop and commercialize its testing devices in a timely manner or at all, the failure to recognize the anticipated benefits from the devices, the failure to obtain FDA or Health Canada approval for its products, the risk that regulatory approvals will not be received and the risk that changing circumstances will result in the decrease in demand for FluroTest’s products. The Company cautions that the foregoing list of material risk factors and assumptions is not exhaustive.
The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking information in this news release, unless it is required to do so under Canadian securities legislation.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of this release.
This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities. The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the securities laws of any state and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to or for the benefit or account of U.S. persons, absent such registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements.
submitted by the-modern-age to pennystocks [link] [comments]

Covid-19 Update for January 7: 968 new cases, 1,096 recoveries, 24 deaths + Update on Schools and Restrictions

Data is taken from the Covid-19 portal and today's media availability by Dr Deena Hinshaw and Premier Jason Kenney. Dr Hinshaw's next availability will be tomorrow
There are currently enhanced measures in effect for the province of Alberta. This link provides a quick summary of which ones are in effect for different regions of Alberta.
Top line numbers:
Value Current Change Total
Total cases — +968 108,469
Active cases 13,298 152 —
Cases with "Unknown source" 3,801 (55.5%) in last 7 days -418 (-3.6%) —
Tests — +14,866 (~6.63% positive) 2,888,432
People tested — +4,061 1,679,738 (~384,291/million)
Hospitalizations 871 -40/-54 based on yesterday's post/portal data 4,443 (+78)
ICU 139 -2/-3 based on yesterday's post/portal data 712 (+9)
Deaths — +24 1,217
Recoveries — +1,096 93,954
Vaccinations — +3,831 33,864 (~7,747/million)
Age Range of Deaths
Age Bracket Deaths
50-59 2
60-69 2
70-79 10
80+ 10
Spatial distribution of people tested, cases, and deaths:
  • All other values are compared with respect to yesterday
Zone Active Cases People Tested Total New Cases Total New Deaths Total
Calgary 4,739 (+33) +1,910 678,846 +406 41,500 +9 384
Central 1,381 (-37) +418 149,192 +98 7,364 +1 50
Edmonton 5,465 (-208) +989 561,675 +313 46,386 +13 646
North 1,384 (+67) +375 156,065 +133 7,834 +0 73
South 252 (-1) +228 104,111 +21 5,167 +0 63
Unknown 77 (-66) +141 29,849 -3 218 +1 1
Effective Reproductive Number (R, or Rt)
  • What % the confidence interval represents isn't stated
  • The value is updated by Alberta Health on Mondays
Zone R Value (Confidence interval)
Province-wide 0.99 (0.97-1.01)
Edmonton 0.92 (0.89-0.95)
Calgary 1.02 (0.99-1.06)
Rest of Province 1.06 (1.01-1.10)
Spatial distribution of cases for select cities and regions (cities proper for Calgary and Edmonton):
City/Municipality Total Active Recovered Deaths
Edmonton 37,892 (+256) 4,487 (-168) 32,860 (+411) 545 (+13)
Calgary 35,001 (+329) 4,028 (+24) 30,624 (+297) 349 (+8)
Red Deer 1,579 (+11) 252 (-5) 1,319 (+16) 8 (+1)
Fort McMurray 1,476 (+24) 266 (+17) 1,207 (+7) 3 (+0)
Lethbridge 1,463 (+6) 80 (-2) 1,374 (+8) 9 (+0)
Brooks 1,354 (+1) 13 (+1) 1,327 (+0) 14 (+0)
Grande Prairie 861 (+8) 128 (-2) 724 (+10) 9 (+0)
High River + county 738 (+1) 30 (-1) 701 (+2) 7 (+0)
Mackenzie county 496 (+1) 19 (-3) 462 (+4) 15 (+0)
Medicine Hat 482 (+3) 37 (+0) 436 (+3) 9 (+0)
I.D. No 9 (Banff) 391 (+1) 14 (+0) 377 (+1) 0
Cardston county 299 (+5) 30 (+2) 263 (+3) 6 (+0)
Wheatland county 191 (+2) 28 (+1) 163 (+1) 0
Warner county 146 (+0) 3 (+0) 141 (+0) 2 (+0)
Wood Buffalo municipality 124 (+1) 7 (+0) 117 (+1) 0
Rest of Alberta 25,976 (+319) 3,876 (-16) 21,859 (+332) 241 (+3)
Other municipalities with 10+ active cases is given at this link
Schools with outbreaks are listed online.
Quick numbers (as of Dec 23):
  • 122 schools are on Watch
  • 172 schools have 2-4 cases
Spatial distribution of hospital usage (change as of yesterday's post):
  • Hospitalization zone are where the patient is receiving care, not zone of residence
Zone Hospitalized ICU
Calgary 241 (-13) 48 (-2)
Edmonton 455 (-24) 64 (+0)
Central 92 (-5) 17 (+0)
South 19 (+1) 3 (+0)
North 64 (+1) 7 (+0)
Statements by Premier Kenney
Opening Statements
  • Will be holding a conference tomorrow with regards to vaccines
School Update
  • In-person classes on January 11th will proceed
  • Decision made by weighing benefits of in-person school (e.g. - metal health) as well as all school age groups seeing drops in cases
  • Advice from Chief Medical Officer and Ministry of Education
  • Notes that younger children may struggle with in-home learning, especially with social development those in lower income families
  • Knows there is some anxiety, but wants to note that 0.4% of students/staff tested positive
  • Still notes many still did receive Covid-19 and is dedicated to safe school environment
Restrictions
  • Covid-19 remains broadly spread with few exceptions
  • High positive test rate: 2% used to be high. Now we're near 7%
  • Province is still ahead of most provinces, per capita, in cases and deaths
  • We would have seen far more cases had we tested more over holidays
  • Hospitalization and ICU cases are far too high
  • This isn't an Alberta problem: same is true outside Atlantic bubble
  • In anticipation of an increase after the holidays (as well as considering hospital burden), measures will remain in effect until the 21st at the least
  • Emphasizes need to prioritize school over other segments
Travel of Politicians
  • Knows it's frustrating, especially with politicians travelling. Knows Albertans are angry and they are right to be. It was insulting for Albertans to see leaders travel
  • Albertans wanted consequences and, after hearing it, has enforced them
  • Those responsible lost positions and were demoted
  • Frustration cannot stop hard decisions to protect public health
  • The trust is broken and must be repaired - feels MLAs took the right tone by taking a pay cut and must get back to that style of leadership
  • Apologizes for what happened and accepts responsibility for not laying clearer expectations
The Future of Restrictions
  • Health officials reviewing data over following weeks
  • Any changes will occur 1+ week in advance as businesses asking for certainty and predictability
Q&A - Travel
  • Why did you not want to punish MLAs on New Year's Day and change 3 days later?: Didn't know members of caucus were out of country. First learned about it on 29th and wasn't aware until 3rd of full whereabouts and that a significant lapse in party judgment occurred. Didn't want to enforce consequences because he wasn't clear enough but heard the anger from Albertans
  • (Interjection: I was having a hard time with the timeline and Tracy Allard's story, but from what I can tell based on when comments were posted online, I believe Kenney's claim is that he personally wasn't aware of Allard's travel by the 1st when he held a conference. Source outlets (e.g. - CBC) claimed by sources on the 31st was that Allard had travelled to Hawaii, though I forget if it was confirmed by the government as of yet)
  • Do you the shaking of public trust makes it harder to make decisions on Covid-19?: It makes it harder for cabinet. Feels now the government has shown consequences for the actions and now needs to rebuild trust...but cannot take risks with Covid-19 despite it. Argues the restrictions in Alberta are balanced and less stringent than other provinces
  • Will the punishment be the same for new rule breakers?: Yes, for senior members of public trust - elected officials, political staff, executive leaders in Alberta public service. Don't think it's right to regulate all government officials (specifically those with collective bargaining right)
  • How you respond to calls for further calls (notes "#FireKenney")?: Has complied with all guidelines and has only done window visits to only family member in province. Has only been out province once to Ottawa and hasn't been out of country. Doesn't govern to Twitter hashtags
  • How do you respond to other groups saying to not travel?: Not telling, but position is to facilitate safe travel: if you travel, be safe. Notes he was early in calling for restrictions from China/Iran. Also recommended negative tests much earlier than federal government adopted
Q&A - Vaccine
  • How concerned are you about vaccine supply?: Subject of tomorrow's conference. There is concern that as inoculation rate increases, supply may become limiting factor. Doesn't "point fingers", but needs supply procured from federal government ASAP because every day delayed risks public health
Statements by Dr Hinshaw
Additional Comments
  • Cases have decreased since December, but is still high...well over 1,000 daily on average
  • Hospitalization remains high and healthcare under extreme pressure
  • Still haven't seen impact of holidays
  • Choice for in-school was based on evidence in fall, where cases were tied to community spread primarily (6% of school aged children's cases were acquired at school)
  • Although elementary age children remained in school for December, their age specific case rates had dropped identical to older students
  • Priority is school as other settings have been a stronger driver of spread
  • No risk free options, but data indicates current model is effective at limiting transmission
  • Must continue to stay this course
Q&A - Travel
  • Where should Albertans turn for advise on travel?: Advise is to not undertake non-essential travel and, if you must, be aware of the regulations in each province. Outside of Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada provides recommendations (even outside of Covid-19)
Q&A - Vaccine
  • How long until we run out of vaccine?: No particular date as regular shipments are coming in. Working with AHS to inoculate faster
Additional information will be logged below:
  • The final question was in French. I am not able to translate it. According to Premier Kenney, the question is about extending health restrictions and on travel.
submitted by kirant to alberta [link] [comments]

The 2021 Outlook

BMO
Many Authors
December 23rd, 2020

From Pandemic to Pandemonium?

Chart 1 - Global Growth

U.S. Economy: Cheers to a Healthier Year

Fed Policy and U.S. Rates Outlook

Canada Rates Preview: Headed Higher

Canadian Regional Economic and Fiscal Outlook

A Year of Global Healing

Crude Oil Outlook: Tough Road Still Ahead

Canada Outlook
​
United States Outlook
​
International Outlook
​
Canadian Provincial Outlook
​
Happy New Year - AMU
submitted by AwesomeMathUse to econmonitor [link] [comments]

Important Read: How the COVID-19 pandemic fuelled a boom in Canadian stock promotion scams

Long article, but I'm pretty confident a lot of this sketchy behaviour is occurring right on this very sub:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-how-the-covid-19-pandemic-fuelled-a-boom-in-canadian-stock-promotion/
Cromwell Coulson, the CEO of New York-based stock trading platform OTC Markets Group, is getting sick and tired of trying to stomp out Canadian stock promotion scams.
OTC plays host to more than 10,000 early-stage speculative stocks and every day it publishes a list of companies it has identified as running misleading stock promotions. In 2019, 30 per cent of troubling campaigns were by Canadian companies.
But since the global outbreak of COVID-19 last winter, there has been a boom in pump and dump scams, in which shady promoters use any means necessary to push up the price of a company’s shares, then sell their stakes at huge profits just before the stock collapses. Those promoters often focus on a hot sector, be it mining, bitcoin, cannabis – and now, bogus coronavirus therapies.
This year, 44 per cent of problematic promos on the OTC were spearheaded by Canadians. One day in September, they made up all 10 of the stocks the platform flags daily as the most suspect.
Mr. Coulson says vulnerabilities in Canadian securities laws, the country’s patchwork system of provincial securities regulation and the lack of teeth to go after scam artists allow promotion schemes to flourish.
“Our goal is not to run a dating site where everybody is beautiful, and smart and rich. Our goal is that the market price of securities represents the value,” he said. “There is this industry of promotion [in Canada] that is very opaque. I would like to see much more transparency.”
In the United States, national regulatory oversight by Washington’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is much tougher than in Canada. As a result, Canadians – operating here or in other countries – have been behind many penny stock promotion scams for decades. Among the worst offenders in recent years, John Babikian, a.k.a. “The Wolf of Montreal,” who reportedly earned US$100-million manipulating penny stocks.
“This is not a new phenomenon,” said Steven Peikin, co-director of enforcement with the SEC until August. “There has been outsize involvement of Canadian nationals and Canadian issuers in microcap schemes.”
While greater powers and technological advances have enhanced the ability of Canadian regulators to pursue aggressive investigations, their track record in enforcement remains abysmal. The few offenders who are sanctioned are generally subject to temporary provincial bans from capital markets and non-enforceable fines.
In the most recent fiscal year ended March 31, Canadian regulators concluded just two pump and dump cases, levying $105,000 in fines. Only a handful of cases are currently open.
In the United States, since the beginning of the pandemic, the SEC has brought charges in six COVID-19 cases, in which companies or individuals allegedly made misleading statements about various treatments, tests and protective equipment, and issued 37 trading suspensions. Just this past summer, five Canadians were charged by the SEC in a US$160-million pump and dump swindle involving deceptive claims of therapies.
Canada’s four biggest regulatory bodies, by comparison, have brought only one enforcement case and issued two trading suspensions related to COVID-19. This despite a warning issued by regulators in April that they were seeing an uptick in pandemic-related investment scams. The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA), an umbrella group that represents Canada’s 13 securities regulators, declined repeated requests for an interview.
“I have not seen much regulatory action in Canada,” said Joseph Groia, a former director of enforcement of the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) and now one of Canada’s best-known securities litigators. “There’s a huge amount going on in the U.S.”
Why isn’t more happening here?
Over the past six months, The Globe and Mail interviewed more than 60 senior figures in regulation, litigation and law enforcement in North America, companies targeted by pump and dumps, a prolific white-collar whistle-blower, CEOs of stock exchanges, recipients of pump and dump materials, and stock promoters. As part of its investigation, The Globe also reviewed thousands of pages of disclosures and regulatory actions going back to 1987.
The results are frustrating in many respects. While the breakneck pace of technological advancement means many fraudsters will likely stay one step ahead of regulators, plenty can be done to break the chain. The big question: Does Canada have the will to do it?
Canada’s status as a haven for shady stock promotion is a function of market structure, history and culture. Our country has long had a heavy concentration of small resource companies that need to raise money early by going public – developing mines and oil reserves is capital intensive.
But a small public float and a cheap stock price also make these stocks vulnerable to manipulation. By the 1930s, Canada was already notorious for telephone boiler rooms that targeted investors across North America. The advent of the electronic information age in the 1990s made disseminating fraudulent information infinitely easier. The ease of remaining anonymous online also made it much harder to catch offenders.
And while misleading stock promotions used to be perpetrated mainly by company insiders, a growing number are now carried out by third-party shareholders.
This past June, the RCMP and two provincial securities regulators confirmed they were investigating a cross-country stock promotion scheme touting tiny B.C. mining company Crestview Exploration. Among the recipients of a nationally distributed pump and dump letter about Crestview was Cynthia Campbell, head of enforcement at the Alberta Securities Commission, as well as the author of this article and retired RCMP white-collar crime investigator Henry Tso.
“I have dealt with many of these files,” Mr. Tso said. “There’s tons of them. Stocks are being manipulated. There’s also lots of insider trading that never gets caught.”
Crestview executives were frustrated, too. “We had no part of it. We want no part of it. It is a disgusting form of promotion,” CEO Glen Watson said.
One of the biggest structural weaknesses in Canadian enforcement identified by many sources is the lack of a single Canadian securities regulator. The U.S., with a population of 328 million, has one federal securities act and one federal regulator. Canada, a country of 37.6 million, has 13 provincial and territorial regulators, and 13 disparate securities acts. Budgets, staffing and powers of enforcement also vary.
British Columbia has tougher laws around stock promotion than other provinces, in part because the Vancouver Stock Exchange, which was merged into the Canadian Venture Exchange in 1999, was long known as grand central for penny stock scams. Alberta can lay quasi-criminal charges directly on offenders, but many other provinces can’t. Whistle-blower rewards offered by regulators also vary, with Ontario offering up to $5-million, but some other provinces offering nothing. Enforcement bans in one province aren’t recognized in others.
The different rules across Canada and the lack of co-ordination mean that “wrongdoers can triage where they’re committing their wrongdoing based on the enforcement of various provincial regulators,” said Stephen Cohen, former associate director of enforcement for the SEC.
Maureen Jensen, chair of the Ontario Securities Commission until this past April, said Canada is a mess of bureaucracy, infighting between commissions and provincial politics. “The problem is you have 13 acts, 13 legislatures that decide whether what their securities commission is asking for is worth their effort and 13 different groups of advisers who have a different view on how easy it should be to prosecute people in the financial market,” she said.
“We should have a single securities regulator for Canada. It’s ludicrous that we don’t.”
But repeated pushes for a national regulator have stalled when all provinces failed to agree, the most recent under then-prime minister Stephen Harper’s majority government, elected in 2011.
Basic laws are also looser in Canada. In the U.S., paid stock promotion and amounts must be disclosed. In Canada, apart from B.C., paid promotion only has to be disclosed if it’s for “investor relations” services. There are many loopholes where payments don’t have to be disclosed – incredibly including campaigns that can be characterized as just “raising awareness” about a company.
Even if paid promotion is disclosed, the amount doesn’t have to be specified. “No one knows who’s being paid for what,” Ms. Jensen said. “People can promote and not be visible.”
The loose laws are one reason criminals still turn to Canadians for shifty stock promotion. In 2017, an individual indicted for securities fraud around a planned pump and dump of cannabis company BioCube Inc. told the FBI he intended on using Canadians to promote the U.S.-listed stock because regulation was much lighter here. U.S. authorities stopped the scheme before it occurred, and the CEO of the company was sentenced to three years in prison.
Even if pump and dump offenders are caught in Canada, prison time is extremely rare. Fines and temporary provincial bans from running companies are much more common, but many offenders simply don’t comply with them.
“These are people who don’t care about regulatory orders. There’s a good chance they’re not in that jurisdiction. If an order is made, they probably wouldn’t comply with it, " Mr. Groia said. “The only way you can deal with [a pump and dump] is find out who did it, track them down, prosecute them and send them to jail. Nothing else makes any sense.”
But that is much easier said than done.
Set up in 2003 to be the equivalent of the FBI’s white-collar crime unit, the RCMP’s Integrated Market Enforcement Team (IMET) was supposed to send more offenders to jail. Just two years later, the team staged a dramatic raid on Scotiabank’s headquarters on Bay Street, with a trailer-length van emblazoned with IMET’s logo and about a dozen police cars pulling up, and agents hauling out documents in connection with an investigation into one of the bank’s client companies.
The idea was to turn RCMP officers into specialized financial market cops by bringing in Bay Street experts, such as forensic accountants, to help IMET. Yet when The Globe asked the RCMP for examples of notable pump and dumps that resulted in convictions, the force only cited one in the past 17 years.
“The expectations and the hope that we would have a meaningful criminal enforcement program at the federal level have not come to pass,” Mr. Groia said. “IMET’s been a huge disappointment.”
Seattle-based whistle-blower Yolanda Holtzee has spent almost two decades reporting pump and dumps to U.S. and Canadian regulators. In her dealings with IMET, she has been frustrated by the turnover in staff. “Junior members are never there long enough to be proficient,” she said.
Vance Morgan, head of the biggest IMET team in Canada, says officers usually stay a minimum of three years, but many move afterward – some because they are promoted. One reason IMET’s record isn’t great, he says, is the lack of some extraordinary powers U.S. authorities have, including their ability to tap the federal terrorist act to obtain documents.
Other experts say Canadian exchanges could also do a lot more to cut down on shady stock promotion and could look to the U.S. for guidance.
If OTC Markets believes a company may be complicit in a promotion, or isn’t co-operating in disclosing additional information, it routinely slaps a “Caveat Emptor” label on the company and places a skull and crossbones icon beside its stock symbol on OTC’s website.
“We don’t want to fix things in the back room, " Mr. Coulson said. “We want to put it out for investors to see. All the positives and negatives. That’s an approach which, short term, is painful and others will knock, but over the long term [it] builds more efficient markets.”
Canada’s TSX Venture Exchange and Canadian Securities Exchange list many companies that also trade on OTC. But neither exchange comes anywhere close to shining such a harsh public spotlight on companies.
Senior figures in North American regulation also point to basic structural holes at Canada’s junior stock exchanges: low fees and lax rules that make it easy for promoters to game the system and virtually guarantee huge returns from taking tiny untested companies public.
The formula was established decades ago: Promoters identify a hot sector, acquire a dormant publicly traded shell company, change its name, issue “seed stock” to founders, do a few financing rounds at increasingly higher share prices, come up with a great “story” to sell to retail investors and, finally, take the company public. That gives the promoters the liquidity they need to sell at an enormous profit.
“[For] the people who kind of run these things as scams, it’s all about getting it listed, getting the share price up and getting off your stock,” said Jamie Keech, a mining engineer and resources financier.
Then there’s the matter – all perfectly legal – of testing the limits on how low companies can go when issuing seed stock. Founder shares have been issued at a cent a share, a tenth of a cent or even much less. Vancouver-based junior mining exploration company Fosterville South Exploration Ltd. issued 12.75 million shares for a total capital raise of $9. The cost for the founders was $0.00000705882 a share. When the company went public earlier this year, it closed its first day of trading on the TSX Venture Exchange at $1.08 a share, giving founders a paper return of 15,299,908 per cent.
“They’re using legal means to hoodwink the public” Ms. Jensen said of the ease of going public in Canada. “Is it wrong? Absolutely it’s wrong.” Yet, like too many weaknesses of Canadian markets, it endures.
So what can be done to stop the rot?
Ms. Jensen says, even under existing provincial laws, it needs to be easier for regulators to move on suspected fraudsters. That includes speeding up the timeline for obtaining court dates, the power to compel people to testify like the U.S. Department of Justice does, and possibly banning the use of shell companies to go public.
“It can’t be so difficult to prosecute people who are intentionally abusing the market, " Ms. Jensen said.
The whistle-blower, Ms. Holtzee, says that many pump and dumps are now perpetrated by computer geeks in their 20s who are proficient in spreading fraudulent information over the web, and then disappearing by using encryption. Canadian regulators, she says, need to hire young STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) graduates – “dot connectors” – who can track scams as they’re being perpetrated and stop them right away.
Mr. Groia also believes much more money should be spent on detection rather than prosecution. He says by investing as little as $1-million a year in computer-savvy investigators, Canada could cut pump and dumps by 60 per cent to 70 per cent.
Some observers claim that stupid or ignorant investors are as much to blame as fraudsters for pump and dumps. If only they would vet an outlandish claim in a newsletter or on a stock promotion website against public filings, it would be obvious that a miracle COVID-19 cure is a con.
But that’s not easy. SEDAR, the website that houses public flings by Canadian companies, is terribly designed. Only sophisticated investors are likely to know where to find critical information and then make sense of it. Canadian regulators need to push companies to make it far easier for average citizens to find what they’re looking for, and for filings to be written in language that can be easily understood.
The past decade has seen pump and dump campaigns move from junior gold stocks, to marijuana, to bitcoin and back to gold recently with bullion prices soaring. And now there’s COVID-19.
Ms. Jensen said the latest trend involves crooks manipulating the share prices of illiquid companies by “hijacking” the trading accounts of investors, allowing scammers to use other people’s money directly to commit crimes.
The technology for those thefts exists. So does the technology to stop them. Unfortunately, it appears scammers and proponents of reform don’t think that will happen any time soon.
submitted by closingbell to CanadianInvestor [link] [comments]

Covid-19 Update for December 23: 1,301 new cases, 1,772 recoveries, 19 deaths + Alberta Health pause on detailed case updates

Data is taken from the Covid-19 portal and today's media appearance by Dr Deena Hinshaw. Dr Hinshaw's next availability will be on Monday, as will the next full data update.
There are currently enhanced measures in effect for the province of Alberta. This link provides a quick summary of which ones are in effect for different regions of Alberta.
Top line numbers:
Value Current Change Total
Total cases — +1,301 93,781
Active cases 17,821 -490 —
Cases with "Unknown source" 7,342 (79.7%) in last 7 days +3 (-0.1%) —
Tests — +19,276 (~6.75% positive) 2,690,432
People tested — +5,636 1,626,216 (~376,700/million)
Hospitalizations 821 +19/+13 based on yesterday's post/portal data 3,207 (+53)
ICU 146 -6/-5 based on yesterday's post/portal data 558 (+10)
Deaths — +19 890
Recoveries — +1,772 75,070
Age Range of Deaths
Age Bracket Deaths Today
30-39 1
40-49 0
50-59 0
60-69 2
70-79 2
80+ 14
Spatial distribution of people tested, cases, and deaths (since yesterday):
  • All other values are compared with respect to yesterday
  • For some reason, the total cases in the zones in the portal only add 731 cases. I added the missing cases to Calgary Zone as it makes the case numbers in Calgary Zone consistent
Zone Active Cases People Tested Total New Cases Total New Deaths Total
Calgary 6,470 (-85) +2,623 657,789 +487 36,475 +6 283
Central 1,391 (-71) +395 143,024 +103 5,669 +0 36
Edmonton 8,427 (-217) +1,995 545,754 +664 40,354 +12 452
North 1,092 (-29) +354 150,830 +85 6,244 +1 63
South 390 (-22) +210 101,387 +24 4,837 +0 55
Unknown 51 (-66) +59 27,432 -62 202 +0 1
Effective Reproductive Number (R, or Rt)
  • What % the confidence interval represents isn't stated
  • The value is updated by Alberta Health on Mondays
Zone R Value (Confidence interval)
Province-wide 0.92 (0.90-0.93)
Edmonton 0.89 (0.86-0.91)
Calgary 0.97 (0.97-1.00)
Rest of Province 0.90 (0.85-0.95)
Spatial distribution of cases for select cities and regions (change since yesterday) (cities proper for Calgary and Edmonton):
City/Municipality Total Active Recovered Deaths
Edmonton 32,981 (+550) 6,840 (-122) 25,763 (+667) 378 (+5)
Calgary 30,751 (+403) 5,626 (-61) 24,870 (+459) 254 (+5)
Lethbridge 1,364 (+10) 146 (-9) 1,210 (+19) 8 (+0)
Brooks 1,339 (+1) 33 (-2) 1,292 (+3) 14 (+0)
Red Deer 1,305 (+25) 358 (-24) 944 (+49) 3 (+0)
Fort McMurray 1,173 (+19) 205 (+1) 966 (+18) 2 (+0)
Grande Prairie 710 (+7) 129 (+1) 574 (+6) 7 (+0)
High River + county 706 (+2) 42 (-3) 657 (+5) 7 (+0)
Mackenzie county 475 (+1) 17 (-3) 444 (+4) 14 (+0)
Medicine Hat 425 (+6) 65 (-5) 354 (+11) 6 (+0)
I.D. No 9 (Banff) 373 (+1) 31 (-5) 342 (+6) 0
Cardston county 251 (+2) 36 (+1) 209 (+1) 6 (+0)
Wheatland county 160 (+0) 13 (+0) 147 (+0) 0
Warner county 142 (+0) 5 (+0) 135 (+0) 2 (+0)
Wood Buffalo municipality 117 (+1) 7 (+0) 110 (+1) 0
Rest of Alberta 21,509 (+273) 4,267 (-259) 17,053 (+523) 189 (+9)
Other municipalities with 10+ active cases is given at this link
Schools with outbreaks are listed online.
Quick numbers:
  • 122 schools are on Watch (-6)
  • 172 schools have 2-4 cases (-6)
Spatial distribution of hospital usage (change based on yesterday's post):
  • Hospitalization zone are where the patient is receiving care, not zone of residence
Zone Hospitalized ICU
Calgary 214 (-1) 47 (-2)
Edmonton 475 (+9) 83 (-4)
Central 79 (+5) 10 (+1)
South 14 (+1) 2 (+0)
North 39 (+5) 4 (-1)
Statements by Dr Hinshaw
Updates over the holidays
  • 24th to 27th: No detailed updates online. Other than December 25th, minor updates will be provided via Twitter with approximate early estimates of cases, number of tests, and hospitalizations, ICU, and positivity
  • 28th: Full update with breakdown of full days
  • 29th and 30th: Full updates online
  • 31st to 3rd: No updates online and preliminary data online
  • The lab teams and contact tracers will not have any changes
Vaccines and the Holidays
  • As many know, Moderna vaccine has been approved for use in Canada
  • Timing in Alberta is still being determined
  • None of this changes the serious current situation
  • Wants to stress how important it is to limit in-person interactions when possible
  • Thanksgiving caused a spike in cases; we can't afford a second round of that
School Cases
  • A slow increase in school aged children in fall, with a steep rise in November
  • In November, there was a shift in high school learning only, all three groups saw a plateau of cases in beginning of December
  • Since all school groups have trended together, it appears that the spread in these groups is dependent on spread in community
  • So, again, stick to your household for gatherings. Only use the most recent loosening if you absolutely have to
Closing Statements
  • While cases have started to fall, hospitalization has continued to rise
  • Changes haven't been easy, but have made a difference
  • Hopes all Albertans make the safe choice over the next few days. It's hard, but will protect everyone
  • Wishes Albertans continue to connnect with others
  • Thanks healthcare workers and hopes Albertans shows their support, as well as many groups for their resilience
Q&A - Vaccine
  • Paramedics feel they should be prioritized for vaccines. Why are they not?: Many healthcare workers and Albertans who would benefit from vaccine who are not in the first wave of vaccines. Important to remember that first groups were not about importance to system. Still making decisions about second wave
  • What specifically has Alberta government done proactively with Moderna vaccine?: Has prepared for Pfizer and Moderna being first two vaccines to arrive. Worked to ensure right infrastructure was available for both
  • When do you think we'll start inoculating with Moderna vaccine?: Working with federal government for a timeline. Doesn't expect over the weekend
Q&A - Other
  • What can parents expect in the second semester?: Looking at all lessons from first semester. Currently planning a return to school, but Albertans have a large role to play in whether or not it happens
  • Coach for AJHL is fined for speaking to media about Covid. Response?: Hasn't seen specifics about of the situation. Critical people are able to speak about their experiences, but also to share accurate information. People shouldn't be shamed for having Covid-19, but doesn't know enough about the situation to speak to either side in this case
  • Have the Oilers/Flames been given approval to play in Alberta?: Have spoken about training to teams. They have been given those exemptions. Still in discussion for return to play (an country-wide discussion)
  • Update at ER outbreak at Peter Lougheed? Are workers safe?: Not aware of specifics in the outbreak and defers to AHS. Speaks more about the general measures used for outbreaks
  • Massage therapists were exempt yesterday. Why not athletic therapists?: Decision was made based on regulation (interjection: Dr Hinshaw specifically notes regulated college...I am not aware enough of the difference to speak about what this may refer to). Can't speak to decision in other provinces
  • Are we expecting a spike this Christmas given Thanksgiving?: Depends on Albertans. Notes there was no legal order for social gatherings at Thanksgiving. Appeals to Albertans to not accelerate spread
Additional information will be logged below:
submitted by kirant to alberta [link] [comments]

Covid-19 Update for December 22: 1,021 new cases, 1,864 recoveries, 11 deaths + Changes of Public Health Restrictions for 7 days

Data is taken from the Covid-19 portal and today's media appearance by Premier Jason Kenney, Minister of Health Tyler Shandro, and Dr Deena Hinshaw. Dr Hinshaw's next availability will be tomorrow.
There are currently enhanced measures in effect for the province of Alberta. This link provides a quick summary of which ones are in effect for different regions of Alberta.
Top line numbers:
Value Current Change Total
Total cases — +1,021 92,480
Active cases 18,311 -854 —
Cases with "Unknown source" 7,339 (79.8%) in last 7 days -349 (-1.1%) —
Tests — +14,304 (~7.14% positive) 2,671,156
People tested — +4,038 1,620,580 (~375,395/million)
Hospitalizations 802 +7/-2 based on yesterday's post/portal data 3,154 (+34)
ICU 152 +0 548 (+6)
Deaths — +11 871
Recoveries — +1,864 73,298
Age Range of Deaths
Age Bracket Deaths Today
40-49 1
50-59 0
60-69 1
70-79 4
80+ 5
Spatial distribution of people tested, cases, and deaths (since yesterday):
  • All other values are compared with respect to yesterday
  • For some reason, the total cases in the zones in the portal only add 731 cases. I added the missing cases to Calgary Zone as it makes the case numbers in Calgary Zone consistent
Zone Active Cases People Tested Total New Cases Total New Deaths Total
Calgary 6,555 (-183) +1,551 655,166 +339 35,988 +2 277
Central 1,462 (-89) +383 142,629 +96 5,566 +2 36
Edmonton 8,644 (-503) +1,236 543,759 +441 39,690 +4 440
North 1,121 (-16) +571 150,476 +124 6,159 +2 62
South 412 (-49) +223 101,177 +23 4,813 +1 55
Unknown 117 (-4) +74 27,373 -2 264 +0 1
Effective Reproductive Number (R, or Rt)
  • What % the confidence interval represents isn't stated
  • The value is updated by Alberta Health on Mondays
Zone R Value (Confidence interval)
Province-wide 0.92 (0.90-0.93)
Edmonton 0.89 (0.86-0.91)
Calgary 0.97 (0.97-1.00)
Rest of Province 0.90 (0.85-0.95)
Spatial distribution of cases for select cities and regions (change since yesterday) (cities proper for Calgary and Edmonton):
City/Municipality Total Active Recovered Deaths
Edmonton 32,431 (+369) 6,962 (-405) 25,096 (+772) 373 (+2)
Calgary 30,348 (+301) 5,688 (-148) 24,411 (+447) 249 (+2)
Lethbridge 1,354 (+15) 155 (+0) 1,191 (+14) 8 (+1)
Brooks 1,338 (+0) 35 (-7) 1,289 (+7) 14 (+0)
Red Deer 1,280 (+18) 382 (-33) 895 (+50) 3 (+1)
Fort McMurray 1,154 (+25) 204 (+9) 948 (+16) 2 (+0)
High River + county 704 (+5) 45 (+3) 652 (+2) 7 (+0)
Grande Prairie 703 (+14) 128 (+3) 568 (+11) 7 (+0)
Mackenzie county 474 (+3) 20 (-3) 440 (+6) 14 (+0)
Medicine Hat 419 (+2) 70 (-8) 343 (+10) 6 (+0)
I.D. No 9 (Banff) 372 (+2) 36 (-7) 336 (+9) 0
Cardston county 249 (+4) 35 (-11) 208 (+15) 6 (+0)
Wheatland county 160 (-1) 13 (-3) 147 (+2) 0
Warner county 142 (+0) 5 (+0) 135 (+0) 2 (+0)
Wood Buffalo municipality 116 (+0) 7 (+1) 109 (-1) 0
Rest of Alberta 21,236 (+264) 4,526 (-245) 16,530 (+504) 180 (+5)
Other municipalities with 10+ active cases is given at this link
Schools with outbreaks are listed online.
Quick numbers:
  • 128 schools are on Watch (-1)
  • 178 schools have 2-4 cases (-3)
Spatial distribution of hospital usage (change based on yesterday's post):
  • Hospitalization zone are where the patient is receiving care, not zone of residence
Zone Hospitalized ICU
Calgary 215 (-9) 49 (+3)
Edmonton 466 (+10) 87 (+0)
Central 74 (+2) 9 (+0)
South 13 (+0) 2 (+0)
North 34 (+4) 5 (-2)
Statements by Premier Kenney
Changes to Public Health Restrictions
  • Between December 23 and 28, single Albertans may attend 1 event at another household, with households hosting up to 2 single individuals
  • This was adopted based on advice from Minister of Heath with input from medical officers
  • Prohibition on larger gatherings are still in effect and asks Albertans to follow the guidelines - spread accelerated because of Thanksgiving gatherings
  • If we have large gatherings, we will head back into exponential growth again and overwhelm healthcare (he claims we can "cope" as is)
  • Hears claims the situation is exaggerated (e.g. - PCR testing overestimates positive tests), but counters with healthcare situation and asks Albertans turning Christmas into a superspreader event
Vaccine Update
  • 25,350 Pfizer vaccine doses arrived and are being shipped to vaccine sites. They will go to critical healthcare and long term care workers facing continuing care and ICU
  • Edmonton and Calgary will receive 6,825 doses
  • Red Deer will get 1,950 doses
  • 9,750 doses will go to 10 rural centres for critical staff (Brooks, Camrose, Drumheller, Edson, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Pincher Creek, and St Paul)
  • Alberta Health Services have been able to safely ship in ultra cold conditions
  • Of the first batch of vaccine, 3,074 doses have been administered since December 21
Q&A - Gathering Restrictions
  • Is this new exemption consistent with the "Uncle Covid" campaign which discouraged gatherings?: Still asking people to be careful (specifically notes for seniors). Asks Dr Hinshaw to add comments
  • (Dr Hinshaw's comments: If you have chronic conditions or are older, please ensure the individual is protected. Consider masks, hand sanitizer, and that you should still consider remote and virtual gatherings)
  • Will this exemption create a spike in cases?: All increase in contact can increase risk. Wants to balance with mental health of all people. Claims consistency with other jurisdictions and that risk is minimal
  • Why add this exemption now when people have cancelled?: Every other province has some form of exemption for Christmas. With a mental health concern in Alberta, if one small way can be given for those who feel isolated at Christmas, believes it is a reasonable tradeoff
  • Do you think this will be abused?: Believes if people were inclined to break the rules, they were going to anyways. Asks them to remember how Thanksgiving turned out. We know people got Covid-19 and passed away because of it
Q&A - Other
  • Premier has suggested ARCHES supervised consumption site in Lethbridge was closed partly because of an investigation of unaccounted funds. Now that the investigation has completed and founds are accounted, will it reopen?: Federal government grants licences, provincial government decides funding. Threshold for government spends tax dollars is very different from the threshold for a successful criminal conviction. Refers back to comments from Lethbridge community and damage done to it by the existence of the centre and the potential concerns about operation and expenses. No intention to reopen
  • With declining numbers, do you regret not bringing in stringent restrictions earlier?: No. Most impact right now were from the November restrictions
  • Do you still believe that the calls for a circuit breaker were misinformed?: Yes. No single jurisdiction has managed a 2 week sharp decline and it's false hope to claim a reset could occur in that short a time (shows the UK and Australia as examples)
Statements by Minister Shandro
Additional Comments to Premier Kenney's comments
  • It looks like "we're finally heading in the right direction"
  • Have to continue this course to alleviate pressure off of the healthcare structure
  • Over next 10 days, aim is for 6,750 vaccine deliveries
Massage Therapy
  • Knows it is important for many
  • Massage therapy services may now be offered for patients with (1) a prescription, or (2) a referral from a physician or other regulated health professional
  • Regulations will apply
Q&A
  • Will the second batch of vaccines be able to expand delivery to Phase 1b (which includes additional groups such as home care staff)?: No, focused in the first groups until end of January. Suggests that additional approved vaccines could accelerate the process
Statements by Dr Hinshaw
Changes in Gathering Policy
  • The exemption over the Christmas holidays aims for a balance of Covid spread and mental health
  • Recommends that individuals who have chronic conditions or are 65+ have physical distance and safety precautions are taken around them
Contact Tracing
  • AHS continuing to bolster contact tracing team
  • ~1,200 currently working, 1,600 by end of year
Mental Health
  • It's normal to feel increased stress around the holidays
  • You are not alone with your feelings and your mental health is just as important as your physical. Do not hesitate to seek assistance
Q&A
  • Are there additional measures planned for the Covid-19 variant? Is it likely already here?: No evidence it is in Canada, but doing additional genetic testing understand this (it isn't currently done in every single sample). Emphasizes that health measures that help prevents spread of original strains of Covid-19 will also reduce the variant. Defers first question to Minister Shandro
  • (Minister Shandro's comments: Testing has expanded to travellers from UK)
  • (Later on, Premier Kenney wanted to add: No direct non-stop flights from UK currently. Only flights are from Holland. Asks federal government to expand the Alberta's travel pilot program across the country)
  • How much have the latest measures affected the active case numbers?: Important to remember day-to-day are a function of tests and spread. Positive rate remains ~7% (where it has been the past few days). Need to use multiple measures for context. The measures in late November had an impact to reduce cases and the additional restrictions have begun to decline them. High case rates still exist, however, and province needs to stay the course
  • How will 400 positions in contact be added in 9 days?: AHS work to hire has been ongoing for a while. This isn't 9 days to start, but recruiting the individuals in 9 days
Additional information will be logged below:
  • A final question was asked of Premier Kenney in French. My French isn't strong enough to fully translate
submitted by kirant to alberta [link] [comments]

Covid-19 Update for December 21: 1,240 new cases, 1,267 recoveries, 9 deaths

Data is taken from the Covid-19 portal and today's media appearance by Dr Deena Hinshaw. Dr Hinshaw's next availability will be tomorrow.
There are currently enhanced measures in effect for the province of Alberta. This link provides a quick summary of which ones are in effect for different regions of Alberta.
Top line numbers:
Value Current Change Total
Total cases — +1,240 91,459
Active cases 19,165 -36 —
Cases with "Unknown source" 7,688 (80.9%) in last 7 days -504 (+0.1%) —
Tests — +18,401 (~6.74% positive) 2,656,852
People tested — +5,008 1,616,542 (~374,460/million)
Hospitalizations 795 +35/+28 based on yesterday's post/portal data 3,120 (+34)
ICU 151 +2/+0 based on yesterday's post/portal data 542 (+4)
Deaths — +9 860
Recoveries — +1,267 71,434
Age Range of Deaths
Age Bracket Deaths Today
70-79 1
80+ 8
Spatial distribution of people tested, cases, and deaths (since yesterday):
  • All other values are compared with respect to yesterday
Zone Active Cases People Tested Total New Cases Total New Deaths Total
Calgary 6,748 (-105) +2,172 653,615 +448 35,649 +1 275
Central 1,551 (+43) +615 142,246 +140 5,470 +0 34
Edmonton 9,147 (-7) +1,512 542,523 +525 39,249 +8 436
North 1,137 (+30) +376 149,905 +85 6,035 +0 60
South 461 (-16) +208 100,954 +19 4,790 +0 54
Unknown 121 (+19) +125 27,299 +23 266 +0 1
Effective Reproductive Number (R, or Rt)
  • What % the confidence interval represents isn't stated
  • The value is updated by Alberta Health on Mondays
Zone R Value (Confidence interval)
Province-wide 0.92 (0.90-0.93)
Edmonton 0.89 (0.86-0.91)
Calgary 0.97 (0.97-1.00)
Rest of Province 0.90 (0.85-0.95)
Spatial distribution of cases for select cities and regions (change since yesterday) (cities proper for Calgary and Edmonton):
City/Municipality Total Active Recovered Deaths
Edmonton 32,062 (+419) 7,367 (-35) 24,324 (+446) 371 (+8)
Calgary 30,047 (+403) 5,836 (-91) 23,964 (+493) 247 (+1)
Lethbridge 1,339 (+6) 155 (-13) 1,177 (+19) 7 (+0)
Brooks 1,338 (+1) 42 (-2) 1,282 (+3) 14 (+0)
Red Deer 1,262 (+27) 415 (-16) 845 (+43) 2 (+0)
Fort McMurray 1,129 (+6) 195 (-7) 932 (+13) 2 (+0)
High River + county 699 (+2) 42 (-1) 650 (+3) 7 (+0)
Grande Prairie 689 (+9) 125 (+3) 557 (+6) 7 (+0)
Mackenzie county 471 (+3) 23 (+3) 434 (+0) 14 (+0)
Medicine Hat 417 (+6) 78 (-1) 333 (+7) 6 (+0)
I.D. No 9 (Banff) 370 (+4) 43 (+2) 327 (+2) 0
Cardston county 245 (+1) 46 (-1) 193 (+2) 6 (+0)
Wheatland county 161 (+2) 16 (+1) 145 (+1) 0
Warner county 142 (+0) 5 (+0) 135 (+0) 2 (+0)
Wood Buffalo municipality 116 (+0) 6 (+0) 110 (+0) 0
Rest of Alberta 20,972 (+351) 4,771 (+122) 16,026 (+229) 175 (+0)
Other municipalities with 10+ active cases is given at this link
Schools with outbreaks are listed online.
Quick numbers:
  • 129 schools are on Watch (+3)
  • 181 schools have 2-4 cases (+12)
Spatial distribution of hospital usage (change based on yesterday's post):
  • Hospitalization zone are where the patient is receiving care, not zone of residence
Zone Hospitalized ICU
Calgary 224 (+4) 46 (+3)
Edmonton 456 (+28) 87 (+0)
Central 72 (+0) 9 (+0)
South 13 (+1) 2 (-1)
North 30 (+2) 7 (+0)
Statements by Dr Hinshaw
Some commonly asked questions
  • There are questions about what is outdoor recreation. Even 4v4 shinny hockey (or any outdoor activity where individuals come within 2m of each other) isn't allowed
  • Individuals where have isolated after a positive do not require a negative test before going back to work. They need to clear their isolation period
  • Reminder to employers that employees are legally required to isolate for this period and shouldn't be pressured to return to work
Cases
  • Active cases in 448 schools (~19%) for 1,992 cases
  • Positive signs, but situation is still serious with healthcare system under strain
  • We should seek to continue to this trend
UK Identified Covid-19 strain
  • This weekend, the federal government restricted flights from UK for 72 hours because of a genetic variant of Covid-19 virus
  • Virus believed to have higher rate of spread
  • At this time, variant does not appear to cause more severe symptoms nor affect any of the current protocols (e.g. - testing)
  • Work underway with international groups to better understand this variant
  • No known cases in Alberta
  • While not unusual for viruses, this is being taken seriously
  • Any travellers from the UK in the last 14 days should receive a Covid-19 test, even if asymptomatic
  • AHS will contact all individuals in this category
  • Any travellers from UK must enter quarantine, even if part of the border testing pilot
Q&A - Vaccine
  • Are CERB payments fuelling overdoses in Alberta?: Believes this is not unique to CERB payments. Acknowledges correlation that one can draw. Focuses on the importance of supports that are available for individuals with substance abuse disorders
  • Who made the decision to not add paramedics to Phase 1 vaccine deployment?: Phase 1 is for those at the highest risk of severe outcomes, the people who care for them, and the sides of healthcare under highest employment stress. Sometimes people perceive this as taking people "off a list". "Critical service" isn't the only requirement
  • With prison outbreaks, how high should correctional facility inmates be?: Their living conditions certainly has high risk of spread. No decision made for Phase 2. Happened to discuss the situation last week and lots of hard work on the subject. Unfortunately, like long term care, such facilities can have spread move very quickly with such high community transmission
Q&A - UK
  • Would our current testing even identify the Covid strain?: Testing in Alberta does involve genetic analysis. Small possibility of introduction of strain into Canada and will be watched closely. No evidence to suggest it has appeared in country, however
  • Is testing for travellers a must?: Strongly recommended for all individuals who spent time in UK (regardless of where they flew from)
  • Will this mean border pilot test must end?: No contemplating a stop to it, but targeting a specific group of travellers. Drew a similar question to a similar strain identified over the summer
Q&A - Other
  • Many people plan to ignore health regulations. Should people alert law enforcement?: Disappointing to hear and possible that people don't understand the severity of the situation. Consider what your neighbour would want for you if they saw it happen. Ideal to have good relationship with neighbours - maybe let them be aware of the situation
  • Have staff been assigned to the Butterdome mobile unit?: Defers to AHS. Repeats that potential use of the unit will depend on Albertans. If we do not "bend the curve down", it may need utilization
  • What is the position of government of NHL play in Alberta?: Has had conversation with all medical officers that are relevant. Working to ensure here is a path forward that ensure health of provinces is kept
  • Some religious gatherings aren't following rules on direction of the faith leaders. What can the province do if they are willing to brazenly defy the rules?: Worked hard to deal with situation collaboratively. Majority have been very hard working in the situation. Opportunities exist to continue to engage positively. Education, then support are the first steps. Continuing to put community at risk can result in enforcement
  • There seems to be growth in oil sands site outbreaks. How can you keep these individuals isolated?: Working with companies to ensure additional measures can come in place if needed and to ensure the individuals can safely take themselves home. If they can't get home, have been working with company to ensure isolation spaces are available
Additional information will be logged below:
  • Edit 1 - I had listed a death in Red Deer. That was an error. All deaths were in Calgary and Edmonton today.
submitted by kirant to alberta [link] [comments]

Covid-19 Update for December 17: 1,571 new cases, 1,845 recoveries, 30 deaths

Data is taken from the Covid-19 portal and today's press availability by Dr Deena Hinshaw. Dr Hinshaw's next availability will be tomorrow.
There are currently enhanced measures in effect for multiple regions of Alberta. This link provides a quick summary of which ones are in effect for different regions of Alberta.
Top line numbers:
Value Current Change Total
Total cases — +1,571 86,168
Active cases 19,865 -304 —
Cases with "Unknown source" 9,135 (82.2%) in last 7 days +37 (+0.4%) —
Tests — +19,968 (~7.87% positive) 2,582,185
People tested — +6,668 1,594,242 (~369,294/million)
Hospitalizations 763 +14/+2 based on yesterday's post/portal data 2,935 (+73)
ICU 138 -1/-3 based on yesterday's post/portal data 515 (+9)
Deaths — +30 790
Recoveries — +1,845 65,513
Age Range of Deaths
Age Bracket Deaths Today
50-59 2
60-69 1
70-79 6
80+ 21
Spatial distribution of people tested, cases, and deaths (since yesterday):
  • All other values are compared with respect to yesterday
Zone Active Cases People Tested Total New Cases Total New Deaths Total
Calgary 7,043 (-79) +2,713 644,129 +552 33,672 +12 256
Central 1,462 (+4) +721 139,802 +126 4,940 +1 28
Edmonton 9,525 (-190) +2,463 535,322 +760 36,925 +17 396
North 1,214 (-31) +361 148,361 +87 5,726 +0 57
South 541 (-12) +252 99,909 +34 4,674 +0 52
Unknown 80 (+4) +158 26,719 +11 231 +0 1
Effective Reproductive Number (R, or Rt)
  • What % the confidence interval represents isn't stated
  • The value is updated on Mondays
Zone R Value (Confidence interval)
Province-wide 0.98 (0.96-1.00)
Edmonton 1.00 (0.98-1.03)
Calgary 0.92 (0.90-0.95)
Rest of Province 1.01 (0.98-1.06)
Spatial distribution of cases for select cities and regions (change since yesterday) (cities proper for Calgary and Edmonton):
City/Municipality Total Active Recovered Deaths
Edmonton 30,210 (+581) 7,707 (-183) 22,170 (+749) 333 (+15)
Calgary 28,305 (+482) 6,114 (-47) 21,961 (+517) 230 (+12)
Brooks 1,324 (-1) 34 (-4) 1,276 (+3) 14 (+0)
Lethbridge 1,305 (+13) 196 (-8) 1,102 (+21) 7 (+0)
Red Deer 1,142 (+31) 417 (+0) 725 (+31) 0
Fort McMurray 1,082 (+20) 215 (-4) 865 (+24) 2 (+0)
High River county 683 (+6) 35 (-1) 641 (+7) 7 (+0)
Grande Prairie 647 (+10) 126 (+6) 514 (+4) 7 (+0)
Mackenzie county 466 (+0) 21 (-4) 431 (+4) 14 (+0)
Medicine Hat 396 (+4) 84 (-1) 307 (+5) 5 (+0)
I.D. No 9 (Banff) 362 (+0) 53 (-12) 309 (+12) 0
Cardston county 235 (+3) 54 (+2) 175 (+1) 6 (+0)
Wheatland county 157 (+1) 14 (+1) 143 (+0) 0
Warner county 143 (+2) 10 (-1) 131 (+3) 2 (+0)
Wood Buffalo municipality 115 (+0) 6 (+0) 109 (+0) 0
Rest of Alberta 19,596 (+419) 4,779 (-48) 14,654 (+464) 163 (+3)
Other municipalities with 10+ active cases is given at this link
Schools with outbreaks are listed online.
Quick numbers:
  • 126 schools are on Watch (-2)
  • 168 schools have 2-4 cases (-1)
Spatial distribution of hospital usage (change based on yesterday's post):
  • Hospitalization zone are where the patient is receiving care, not zone of residence
Zone Hospitalized ICU
Calgary 229 (+20) 40 (+1)
Edmonton 420 (+2) 83 (-4)
Central 64 (-4) 4 (+0)
South 16 (-4) 4 (+0)
North 34 (+0) 7 (+2)
Statements by Dr Hinshaw
Vaccine Distribution
  • 394 healthcare workers have received first dose of vaccine
  • Knows there is desire for vaccination to occur as quickly as possible
  • It will take time to get enough vaccine for each Albertan. Please be patient and supportive during this period
  • Knows there are some who have not been given a call yet and those who have received one who shouldn't. This is a quick process and such situations aren't unexpected
Cases
  • Today's death total doesn't reflect the number of deaths that occurred yesterday, but they were reported yesterday
  • Active cases in 450 (~19%) schools, with combined 1,966 cases
  • 126 schools on watch list (5+ active)
Holidays
  • We are 1 week away from some statutory holidays
  • Holiday plans are top of mind for many people. However, this can and must be celebrated differently
  • Celebrations with people outside of the household are not only prohibited, but also the wrong thing to do
  • Knows Albertans want to do the right thing - celebrate with only your household or 2 close contacts if you live alone
  • Other celebrations should be virtual
  • For some Albertans, bending the rules may seem the compassionate choice. However, the compassionate choice should be to follow the rules
  • We have seen many cases where a person with mild symptoms or asymptomatic spreading cases to many
  • These orders are not recommendations, but legal restrictions and everyone must do their part
  • The holidays will be difficult for many people, especially in continuing care
  • Encourages Albertans to send shows of support to continuing care residence in your community
Q&A - Vaccine
  • Reports of Pfizer vaccine vials may hold extra doses, with additional doses that could be squeezed out of the vials. Is this true?: Pfizer vial contains a guarantee of 5 doses. Skilled immunization administrator may be able to get 6 doses. The "little extra" is used when possible
  • What type of tracking of vaccines will occur?: Provincial software has been used for years to track vaccines with skilled individuals tracking the vaccines. Vaccine inventory management system has been available. Considers the province well positioned and should be able to track quantity and manufacturer of each vaccine at each depot
  • What lessons are being learned with the vaccine?: A single health authority in the province has been very helpful. Frontline has been extremely flexible and thanks them for it
  • Is AHS getting "swamped" with vaccine requests?: Can't speak to AHS, but many groups have asked about getting in line for vaccines right now. Knows that vaccines will benefit many groups, but asks for patience as current vaccine delivery is in small quantities weekly and using them for reducing severe outcomes first
Q&A - Other
  • How dangerous are the anti-mask and anti-lockdown rallies? (misinformation and spread risk) What would you want to see implemented?: Understandable to go through a series of emotions (specifically notes the stages of grief). Problem is when people disregard evidence - 30 deaths were reported in 24 hours today. These individuals are conducting risky activities for themselves and their community. Important to let people have their voices heard (references a demonstration document), but also to follow the guidance
  • There are pictures of a town hall, where Jason Kenney, Kaycee Madu, and Tracy Allard are not wearing masks. Did you ask them to wear masks?: The masking requirements were followed as exemptions were made for specific workplace conditions
  • NHL update?: Speaks with local teams regularly about player training. Regulations for playing games hasn't been determined
  • Many people go to religious services for holidays. Is a 15% capacity acceptable?: Spoke to faith communities and has given instructions and guidance. Vast majority of the communities have responded and have moved online or drive-in. Combination of those and additional restrictions (e.g. - spacing between groups) improve safety. Final recommendation though is to minimize in-person contact
Additional information will be logged below:
submitted by kirant to alberta [link] [comments]

TraceSafe to Provide Contact Tracing at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship

TSF.CN (ASK @ 0.70)
Tracesafe Inc., a global leader in wearable safety tech, including contact tracing and quarantine management, is pleased to announce it will be the exclusive and official contact tracing partner of the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship in Edmonton, Alberta from December 13, 2020 to January 5, 2021.
Powered by the TELUS Communications (T / TU) world-leading wireless network, TraceSafe will provide staff members and players with TraceSafe wearable safety tech solutions across the tournament bubble.
Hockey Canada has developed strict protocols to keep close to 1,000 players, team staff, members of the media, officials, and support personnel safe throughout the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship. TraceSafe has been selected to provide its comprehensive contact tracing solutions to ensure compliance with health and safety protocols throughout the tournament.
To promote the safety of all participants and the community at large, every tournament member will be required to self-isolate upon arrival in their individual hotel room and will be supplied with a TraceSafe wristband that will enable event organizers to ensure that they self-isolate for the required time.
Additionally, throughout the event, all teams and tournament staff will have TraceSafe's contact tracing beacon embedded in their event credentials. TraceSafe's low powered BLE technology will prompt physical distancing reminders and provide real-time contact tracing for all participants. TraceSafe wearable safety tech will be complemented by regular COVID-19 testing throughout the event.
Data collected by our wearables within the bubble and during the championship is pseudonymized and secured using top-level encryption. Our technology only monitors interactions with other people within authorized locations. Localized contact tracing cannot function once the participant leaves the contact site, eliminating fears of being "always-on". No smartphone app download required.
The 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship will be held using a single-venue format in Edmonton without spectators. The host venue was one of two restart arenas used for the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs and has experience in bubble crowd management during COVID-19. TraceSafe has expertise in sports and venue management and this partnership will further solidify TraceSafe as a leading option for venues and sports teams looking to resume action safely.
Executive Quotes
"We are proud to be working with TELUS and Hockey Canada to bring TraceSafe's suite of technology in professional sports and venue management to the World Junior Hockey Championship to ensure all teams, players and staff are safe and secure," said TraceSafe CEO Wayne Lloyd. "This opportunity to support the next generation of athletes with our technology speaks to the growing reputation and trust of the TraceSafe suite of products throughout the international sports community."
"As we continue to prepare for the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship, we are excited to work with TraceSafe to ensure the health and safety of all participants and the community at large in Edmonton," said Dean McIntosh, vice-president of events and properties with Hockey Canada. "We are grateful to TraceSafe and TELUS for their commitment to participant health and safety, and we know this leading technology will help Hockey Canada and the local organizing committee host a safe, successful event."
"Ensuring the safety and connectivity of the players, staff and other participants at this year's World Junior Hockey Championship is of paramount importance to TELUS," said Andrew Turner, Vice President of Strategic Operations at TELUS. "We are pleased to partner with TraceSafe and Hockey Canada, leveraging our world-leading networks and IoT capabilities to enable comprehensive and secure protection and connectedness throughout the tournament, ensuring Canadians have the opportunity to cheer on our reigning champions as they once again go for gold."
About TraceSafe powered by TELUS
What does it mean to be powered by the best? During the World Juniors, TraceSafe's quarantine management and contact tracing solutions will be powered by TELUS. Their powerful network will ensure uninterrupted connectivity for all TraceSafe wearables and gateways. All wearable devices will be branded with "TraceSafe powered by TELUS".
About TraceSafe
TraceSafe is a full suite of real-time location management services and contact tracing solutions enabled through advanced low power Bluetooth beacons and enterprise cloud management. TraceSafe's leading cloud management solution ensures both user privacy and comprehensive administrative control. TraceSafe's patented contact tracing bracelet has already been deployed in mission-critical quarantine applications around the world in partnership with leading governments. In addition to their government work, TraceSafe is developing leading-edge solutions for Enterprise, Healthcare, Education, Government and large-scale venue management.
About TELUS
TELUS (T, TU) is a dynamic, world-leading communications and information technology company with $15.3 billion in annual revenue and 15.7 million customer connections spanning wireless, data, IP, voice, television, entertainment, video and security. We leverage our global-leading technology to enable remarkable human outcomes. Our longstanding commitment to putting our customers first fuels every aspect of our business, making us a distinct leader in customer service excellence and loyalty. TELUS Health is Canada's largest healthcare IT provider, and TELUS International delivers the most innovative business process solutions to some of the world's most established brands.
Driven by our passionate social purpose to connect all Canadians for good, our deeply meaningful and enduring philosophy to give where we live has inspired our team members and retirees to contribute more than $700 million and 1.3 million days of service since 2000. This unprecedented generosity and unparalleled volunteerism have made TELUS the most giving company in the world.
For more information about TELUS, please visit telus.com, follow us @TELUSNews on Twitter and @Darren_Entwistle on Instagram.
About Hockey Canada
Hockey Canada is the governing body for hockey in Canada and a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), with a membership through its 13 member associations of over 750,000 players, coaches and officials. Hockey Canada is a not-for-profit organization that creates leading-edge hockey development programs for its members to deliver in communities across Canada; provides consistent rules and regulations and various other membership services from coast to coast to coast; manages numerous regional, national and international hockey championships and events; and leads the operation of all teams that represent Canada in international competition. Hockey Canada's mission is to lead, develop and promote positive hockey experiences. For more information on Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook and Twitter.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/tracesafe-contact-tracing-2021-iihf-120000807.html
submitted by Xethernety to Penny_Stocks_Canada [link] [comments]

As Ottawa prepares to unveil its Clean Fuel Standard, industry warns of refinery shutdowns

CALGARY – Canada’s federal government is poised to unveil its long-awaited Clean Fuel Standard by the end of the year, which executives say is concerning for a wide range of industries that may not have sufficient time to make dramatic changes before new regulations come into effect in 2022.
The Clean Fuel Standard (CFS) will be published in the Canada Gazette by the end of the year, Moira Kelly, spokesperson for Environment and Climate Change Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, confirmed to the Financial Post Wednesday.
“The Clean Fuel Standard remains an integral policy in Canada’s climate plan, and will contribute to the government’s goal of exceeding its current 2030 target,” Kelly said in an email.
Once the proposed standard is published, industry expects a 75-day comment period before the regulations are finalized and before compliance begins in 2022, that would leave companies scrambling to comply with the new regulations.
Clean fuel standards in places like California require liquid fuels such as gasoline and diesel to be blended with additives like ethanol or other biofuels to reduce their emission intensity. Canada’s CFS will stipulate fuel providers, or refineries, must reduce their emissions by 12 per cent below 2016 levels by 2030.
Details about the CFS are hotly anticipated by executives in a range of industries as the regulations will outline, for the first time, how quickly the industry will need to move to comply with new regulations.
“The federal Clean Fuel Standard will help position Canada as a leading clean fuel producer by driving innovation and investment,” Kelly said.
The standard will introduce a country-wide carbon credit trading scheme and include harsh per-tonne penalties. Going a step further, Canada will be the first jurisdiction in the world to extend its regulations to cover gaseous fuels, like propane or natural gas, and solid fuels, such as coal, by 2023.
Ottawa’s goal for the CFS is a 30-megatonne reduction in the country’s carbon emissions by 2030. The biggest emissions reduction are expected to come from liquid fuels such as gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.
Canadian refineries and fuel distributors say they’re preparing investments and strategies to try to reduce their emissions between 20MT and 25MT, which would account for 83 per cent of the emissions’ reductions targets under the regulations, said Bob Laracque, CEO of Canadian Fuels Association, which represents petroleum refining and distribution companies.
Right now, Canadian refineries blend about 7 per cent bioethanol and 2 per cent bio-diesel into the fuels they distribute. But Laracque said the government has not communicated how quickly refineries would need to boost their biofuel blends and the industry does not have sufficient time to prepare if major increases are expected in 2022.
“We are concerned about the implementation timeline because if it’s too quick and we don’t have time to do the infrastructure changes,” Laracque said.
He said the industry is asking for clarity on what the targets are each year for emissions reductions and how exactly carbon credits will work to allow the industry to avoid expensive per-tonne penalties.
There is a wide range of estimates on how the CFS will affect gasoline and diesel prices, with some estimates as low as 2 cents per litre for fuel all the way up to 15 cents per litre.
“If it’s not done right, we’re going to lose existing infrastructure,” Laracque said, adding that could include refinery closures in Canada. “If we’re not doing this right, we miss a huge opportunity for existing infrastructure, which will increase the cost of compliance.”
Refinery shutdowns are not a new phenomena in Canada, as Shell Canada’s Montreal East refinery closed down in 2010 and Imperial Oil Ltd. shuttered operations at its Dartmouth, Nova Scotia in 2013. This year, North Atlantic Refining Ltd. announced it would close Newfoundland’s only refinery at Come By Chance as the COVID-19 pandemic knocked out demand for consumer fuels.
But shutting down a refinery will lead to higher fuel costs for consumers and investment relocating elsewhere, said Dan McTeague, president and founder of Canadians for Affordable Energy and a former Liberal Party MP.
“I think it’s going to have a significant impact,” McTeague said, adding that he believes that even without refineries shutting down, “it’s going to cost you anywhere from 10 cents to 15 cents per litre of gasoline.”
While Alberta’s economy is the most dependent on the energy industry, markets such as Ontario and Quebec use more fuel and McTeague is expecting a larger impact in those markets given additional costs at refineries in the Sarnia region and in Quebec as refineries will scramble to source ethanol from the U.S.
In a recent speech before the Calgary and Edmonton chambers of commerce, federal Natural Resources Minister Seamus O’Regan said the CFS was not intended to target a specific industry but to reduce emissions at the point of consumption across the country.
However, the Alberta government has concerns about the soon-to-be unveiled regulations because many companies that will be listed as “fuel providers” are headquartered in Alberta, including oil companies that own refineries and fuel stations, as well as natural gas producers and electric utilities with gas-fired power plants.
“Alberta continues to push for changes to the Clean Fuel Standard to address potential unintended consequences of the regulation such as losing investment and revenue to other jurisdictions and exposure for trade-exposed industries,” Environment and Parks Minister Jason Nixon said in an emailed statement.
In order for the CFS to be successful, the legislation needs to fulfill its goal of reducing total emissions rather than layering an additional compliance penalty cost on industry, said Marla Orenstein, director of the Natural Resources Centre at the Canada West Foundation.
Orenstein said the federal government has yet to publish a proper analysis demonstrating how the CFS, independent of other provincial initiatives, will reduce emissions or what the costs will be. She said it’s critical the CFS reduces emissions rather than just collects compliance costs or it will be considered a duplication of the existing carbon tax system, which Ottawa has already imposed.
“You’ve promised a cost-benefit analysis and you’ve shown nothing,” Orenstein said, she said of the federal government.
To alleviate fears of the worst-case outcomes and to ensure the regulations are effective, she said it’s important that the government to publish their analysis as soon as possible.
“If we’re going to go all in on this, they need to be able to demonstrate that it’s going to be able to do what it says,” Orenstein said.
https://financialpost.com/commodities/energy/as-ottawa-prepares-to-unveil-its-clean-fuel-standard-industry-warns-of-refinery-shutdowns
submitted by peaceouteast to CanadianInvestor [link] [comments]

My Take on Individual Establishment's Responsibilities to Enforce Mandates

Just posted this (text to follow) as a response to the horrifying news article of the Edmonton woman who was violently attacked while attempting to enforce the Public Safety mandates in her pub. My righteous indignation only rose after my first reply, so here is a repost hoping that a few more of you see, and understand the tiniest amount of what your essential workers are dealing with in addition to the regular daily anxiety that every one of us (regardless of employment) are facing these days.
On a personal note, I finally found a job after my longest unemployment stint since the age of 13. Customers have drastically dropped since the new regulations - I can't complain, because that is a hopeful indication that at least some people are following the new rules. I also cannot afford to turn away those few who still choose to patronize our business, nor can I physically or legally escort them from the premises.
Just wear the effing mask for the max 30 minutes it takes you to patronize a grocery store/restaurant. If you genuinely can not, order pick up or delivery. Don't make hard working people choose between assault and the Coronavirus. We just need to work. And we wear the mask while on our feet and smile even though you can't see it, but hopefully can still sense and appreciate the genuine warmth we feel towards those keeping us in business. We want to like you, I promise. Just let us.
ORIGINAL COMMENT:
I’d like to take this opportunity to address some of the lists I have seen circulating calling for boycotts against specific establishments who aren’t rigorously enforcing all restrictions. While I support the practise of alerting the public to where they might most safely shop/eat out, etc... the average minimum wage employee has next to no authority or training to validate potential “medical exemptions”, proof of address (and therefore FOIP policies required to gather that info) and appropriate cohorts, etc. Let alone the balancing act of self defence, de-escalation, protecting other customers, and still maintaining enough business to keep their jobs. The burden should be on the police/peace officers who we are all paying to employ. If they are allowed to claim safety as a reason to sit by while mass anti-regulation protests occur, then why should your average retail worker or hostess be publicly denounced for maintaining their own safety and that of their co-workers and customers?
At this point, the risk assessment I make on a daily basis is actually leaning more towards letting people flaunt whatever regulations they like. I am almost as afraid of anti-maskers as I am of COVID at this point.
P.S.(A). minimum wage is still below living wage in most of Alberta (at least the city centres).
submitted by TinkerTesla to alberta [link] [comments]

Removed comments/submissions for /u/alt-spite

Hi alt-spite, you're not shadowbanned, but 75 of your most recent 94 comments/submissions were removed (either automatically or by human moderators).

Comments:

gebw2jy in canada on 02 Dec 20 (1pts):
It's cool to hate now but really I can't imagine wtf anyone would have done better at this point. It's easy to not listen to people and lock down everything. However that is having not much effect...
ge9sjft in canada on 01 Dec 20 (1pts):
I could pick him out of a lineup. And I wasn't there.
ge87jdq in canada on 01 Dec 20 (1pts):
Nah it'll be all foreign owned, we just work to extract resources out and pay rent
ge7vsff in canada on 01 Dec 20 (1pts):
Not to mention spending power. Everything is cheaper by far in the USA
ge7vm1e in canada on 01 Dec 20 (1pts):
Media successfully focused on blaming the provinces. Specifically conservative politics Money assured for next election. Good job really. Don't bite the hand that feeds
ge7jb7u in canada on 01 Dec 20 (1pts):
Deficit of 400 billion accounced. Less work force too.
Taxes going up is an inevitable result
ge7j23k in canada on 01 Dec 20 (1pts):
A bar buys beer. Beer tax goes up, but the bars price doesn't (immediately anyways) It's somewhat expected that eventually the bar will raise that price. The GST though the bar collects on every...
ge7ito8 in canada on 01 Dec 20 (1pts):
Lmao paying for a VPN costs more than the GST would
ge7iq4g in canada on 01 Dec 20 (1pts):
I guarantee it's a line item just like anything else that pays GST. Like Netflix wouldn't put it there for people to see.... Liberals are trying to make it sound like they're sticking it to the man,...
ge7ig8x in canada on 01 Dec 20 (1pts):
How in God's name does charging 5% GST on Netflix change in any way, it's 5% every bill. Every bill I pay is 5% GST regardless of its popularity. They really, really don't teach much about taxes in...
ge6lzcf in canada on 30 Nov 20 (1pts):
K now how about 3 billion people? They KNOW there will be problems. Lots of them
ge6lnwq in canada on 30 Nov 20 (1pts):
They literally asked him. He didn't dodge the question.
ge6juss in canada on 30 Nov 20 (1pts):
Some wild new vaccine that is relatively untested, that works differently than any proven vaccine does.. where the percentage having side effects might be moreso than the percentage that gets side...
ge6ilza in canada on 30 Nov 20 (1pts):
Agreed. Using a signal jammer could make cars stop turning in bad places, etc. It absolutely could never work dependant on signal
ge6hpjk in canada on 30 Nov 20 (1pts):
CTV still pushes the anti Kenney harrrrrd. If they'd do it less, it would have more impact. Why should he personally address the boneheads anyways? Protests allegedly aren't a source of covid...
ge6h02e in canada on 30 Nov 20 (1pts):
If your work allows it, go rural. I made 150k and didn't know what to do with the money, 5 bedroom house about 300k with a giant backyard on a golf course. I put another 30k into it to make it...
ge6g09w in canada on 30 Nov 20 (1pts):
It's not so simple We are a small population country. There are major costs involved with having all nationaly owned corporations. To a big company they can absorb the operating costs as a blip on...
ge6fg9w in canada on 30 Nov 20 (1pts):
Lol that's exactly it. We complain cell phones are too expensive and clamour for a USA company to come in to reduce prices. . Yet here we are complaining about foreign ownership. Do we want cheap...
ge6f3s2 in canada on 30 Nov 20 (1pts):
Yawn the US also thought we could turn China into more of a capitalist democracy by inclung them more. It didn't happen as they got even stronger commie leadership and are taking advantage....
ge6egvp in canada on 30 Nov 20 (1pts):
The wheat board was disbanded, the remements were sold. G3 I think it's called now, but not exactly "sold to Saudis", we didn't lose any autonomy on that one. Nobody has to use that company to sell...
gdtxnhl in canada on 28 Nov 20 (1pts):
We have nobody close to trump in Canada. Hard to ride that hate train.
gdtxg9c in canada on 28 Nov 20 (1pts):
So is stupidity Some break the mold. Try it out
gdtx6qd in canada on 28 Nov 20 (1pts):
You didn't read the article Every kind of fuckery you can do, baiting,.disabling safety parts, etc Cutting lines didn't make the traps illegally bait, gain illegal tags, and have thier safety remove
gdtwluy in canada on 28 Nov 20 (1pts):
"clearly" from the Cherry picked tidbit leaked.
gdsuscq in canada on 27 Nov 20 (1pts):
Yawwwn an old old prejudice
Any party can have many examples of people who showed inclination against social change in the past.
gdlkecd in canada on 25 Nov 20 (1pts):
How is it a conspiracy when JT himself speaks of it openly? It's a wealth transfer scheme.
gdligxs in canada on 25 Nov 20 (1pts):
That's a month ago. Alberta tests more than anywhere and had the numbers to back it up. A month later the numbers rose, and they rose where masks were mandatory.
gdli7zr in canada on 25 Nov 20 (1pts):
Anytime Trump is compared to any of our politicians I laugh. He's barely comparible to any US politician in 100 years. Taking a word and having a "gotcha " because it's a word trump used once is the...
gdlgq6j in canada on 25 Nov 20 (1pts):
There's that word again: "experts"
They use them in every other story The same 20 people usually. I guess it works but there would be 100 people involved in making some decisions then "expert...
gdlgi7g in canada on 25 Nov 20 (1pts):
Yes, If the politics weren't involved it would have been done and forgotten by now, only boring jobs and taxable dollars left as a memory
gdlafq1 in canada on 25 Nov 20 (1pts):
We do care, and realize shooting ourselves in the foot and removing ourselves from the market altogether wouldn't achieve anything.
gdlacyi in canada on 25 Nov 20 (1pts):
We can't control 95% of the oil market so you can ask China , USA, India, Russia , very politely to stop as well and then you might have something Also, get people to stop flying, driving,...
gdla6az in canada on 25 Nov 20 (1pts):
If the politics weren't involved it would have been done and forgotten by now, only boring jobs and taxable dollars left as a memory
gdl9ef3 in canada on 25 Nov 20 (1pts):
"the market" being moving goalposts and complete shambles of anything resembling regulatory framework. That ain't free market that's political
gdl82y5 in canada on 25 Nov 20 (1pts):
Do what Alberta did. Going 25% of fire code allows smaller places to have customers rather than fully advantage the huge retailers.
gdksynn in canada on 25 Nov 20 (1pts):
I'm a con at the moment. That's totally true. Many rely on the false economy of ridiculous housing prices. I don't see this approach changing anytime soon. Moving to rural is an option for city...
gdksq52 in canada on 25 Nov 20 (1pts):
Move to rural. Decent homes for 120k with good schools, high speed internet, larger centre 25 mins drive.
gdiew1m in canada on 25 Nov 20 (1pts):
Lol I watch them but you can't say anything other than "fuck Kenney!" Or you're kicked out. It's a hateful place, even moreso than Canada here
gdienle in canada on 25 Nov 20 (1pts):
Not sure what you mean, the data shows transmission is happening in social gatherings. It is not happening in gyms or small businesses where everyone must be masked and sanitize upon entry. Walk...
gdieets in canada on 25 Nov 20 (1pts):
Very massive.
gdiecqa in canada on 25 Nov 20 (1pts):
Transmission is happening at social gatherings It's not happening at lulu where you must be masked and sanitized and monitored.
gdie8zc in canada on 25 Nov 20 (1pts):
They're seeing transmission in teenagers. Not at the casino where people are standing around demanding you sanitize and wear a mask. These rules exist at the school too but in groups teenagers tend...
gdid7xa in canada on 25 Nov 20 (1pts):
Correct, transmission is occuring in homes much more than at regulated and socially distanced businesses. Gyms in particular should stay open.
gdid2dj in canada on 25 Nov 20 (1pts):
Based on where transmission is actually happening, in real life, keeping those particular businesses at 25% archives a lot while not unintentionally causes other health issues related to addictions,...
gdib130 in canada on 25 Nov 20 (1pts):
Well yeah but what about Trump? He's a big liar like pants on fire Millions of lives ruined and society crumbling might be a big deal where you come from, but Obama has the cool factor so you lose...
gdia71s in canada on 25 Nov 20 (1pts):
You didn't read the article Nevermind the hundreds of thousands in damages, good luck getting insurance to pay for it... Even if they do they'll take you over the coals for ten years till they...
gdi9y4c in canada on 25 Nov 20 (1pts):
I wish I could sell. Bankruptcy is an option to consider but have to hold out hope Land, homes, businesses all lucky to sell even at a loss where I live. Bankruptcy is all youre trying to avoid the...
gdi9mrb in canada on 25 Nov 20 (1pts):
That's a business idea right there. Landlord inc. Adding value in checking IDs and references
I just patented it
gdenh9d in canada on 24 Nov 20 (1pts):
Be happy it isn't fucking with us to the same degree as others!
gden3ea in canada on 24 Nov 20 (1pts):
Those are laid off janitors waiting for EI
submitted by RemovedCommentsBot to CommentRemovalChecker [link] [comments]

what are the new regulations for covid in alberta video

Coronavirus: New restrictions announced for Alberta as 860 ... Alberta COVID-19 update. Jan. 25, 2021 - YouTube Alberta imposes new COVID-19 restrictions - YouTube Coronavirus: Alberta set to ease restrictions but COVID-19 ... Coronavirus: Alberta announces new restrictions to curb ... COVID-19 in Alberta: New restrictions announced, Premier ... Alberta introduces new powers to enforce COVID-19 measures Alberta faces pressure for increased restrictions as COVID ... Alberta update on COVID-19 – January 26, 2021 - YouTube

The Government of Alberta announced new public health measures on Tuesday December 8, 2020, updating previous restrictions announced on November 24, 2020. The further enhanced measures will be in place through the holiday season, until at least January 12, 2021. Workplaces and learning centres. Effective immediately, masks are mandatory province-wide in all indoor public places, places of ... Alberta bans social gatherings with $1,000 fines for non-compliance as COVID-19 cases continue to rise Back to video “That’s the absolute minimum metric goal that we must achieve by Dec. 15 ... New COVID-19 restrictions: Alberta bans all gatherings, closes most businesses and makes masks mandatory. EDMONTON -- Alberta is banning all social gatherings, closing restaurants, gyms and hair ... COVID-19 symptoms can be mild and are similar to influenza and other respiratory illnesses. Core symptoms: cough, fever (over 38°C), shortness of breath, runny nose or sore throat. Other symptoms: stuffy nose, painful swallowing, headache, chills, muscle or joint aches, feeling unwell in general, new fatigue or severe exhaustion, gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or ... Premier Jason Kenney announced new measures Tuesday to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the province, as regulations from Nov. 27 have failed to lower Alberta’s surge in positive cases. The restrictions come as the province announced 1,727 new cases of COVID-19, along with 654 current hospitalizations, and 112 ICU admissions. The update from Alberta’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw also included nine new deaths, bringing the total number of deaths to 654 due ... Minimum mandatory quarantine for 14 days for anyone who returned to or entered Alberta from outside Canada, or are a close contact of someone with COVID-19. Minimum mandatory isolation for 10 days for anyone who has a confirmed case of COVID-19, or have core symptoms that are not related to a pre-existing illness or health condition: cough, fever, shortness of breath, runny nose or sore throat. On December 8, 2020, the Government of Alberta released new province-wide COVID-19 restrictions effective until at least January 12, 2021. These restrictions are in response to a large surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the province in recent weeks and mark a return to the type of restrictions seen in the first wave of the pandemic. On Tuesday, Alberta announced new COVID-19 safety restrictions ordering casinos and gyms to close and banning dine-in service at restaurants and bars effective Sunday, Dec. 13. EDMONTON — The Alberta government announced Tuesday new restrictions to battle record-high rates of COVID-19 infections in the province. In addition to…

what are the new regulations for covid in alberta top

[index] [8269] [8263] [7959] [1952] [2488] [3351] [7463] [21] [875] [9161]

Coronavirus: New restrictions announced for Alberta as 860 ...

New targeted restrictions are on the way for some Alberta regions in hopes of bringing spiking COVID-19 cases under control.Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, the... Premier Jason Kenney announced sweeping new provincial measures Tuesday as the second wave of COVID-19 continues to hit Alberta hard. The announcement came a... Alberta will be easing some restrictions on Monday amid a decline in new COVID-19 cases.Restaurants will be allowed to open for in-person dining again Feb. 8... Dr. Deena Hinshaw will be joined by Health Minister Tyler Shandro to provide an update on COVID-19 in Alberta. Alberta’s daily reported COVID-19 cases now rival Ontario's for the highest in the country, even though it has a third of the population. The province's resi... In Edmonton, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's chief medical officer of health, provides an update on the province's response to the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus... The Alberta government has ordered the closure of all casinos and gyms, banned dine-in service at restaurants and bars, and imposed a mandatory provincewide ... In Edmonton, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, provides an update on the response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) pandemic.... The provincial government has granted Alberta's law enforcement agencies full authority to enforce public health orders and issue fines. To read more: http:/...

what are the new regulations for covid in alberta

Copyright © 2024 m.benefit-sport.site