The Criticism Convoy and the End of the REP

Last night on Facebook the Premier of Alberta signalled that the Government of Alberta will start lifting Covid-19 health restrictions next week. The pressure had become unbearable. A couple of weeks ago rural MLAs started to publicly denounce the restrictions and the damage they were doing to small businesses. Everyday, more MLAs joined the criticism convoy. Some cabinet ministers jumped onboard. The premier tried to keep pace. First, he committed to lifting restrictions by end of March, then the end of February. But the caucus criticism convoy kept gathering speed. Meanwhile, the Coutts border blockade was inflicting serious economic and political damage. The Premier was juggling flaming chain saws. He had to act. Plus, Erin O’Toole’s fate as CPC Leader in Ottawa was a chilling reminder of what happens when caucus gets ignored. But there’s still more to this trucking story.

The Priorities and Implementation Committee of Cabinet meets Monday to decide what restrictions get lifted and when. It’s a slam dunk that the Restriction Exemption Program (REP) will be lifted, almost immediately. Will it even be enforced after Monday? What of seating restrictions in restaurants and occupation limits in businesses? Then there is the sticky question of masks. Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi is wondering aloud about using municipal powers to keep masking requirements in place. The premier has wondered aloud about changing the Municipal Governance Act so that city councils can’t impose masking requirements. We wonder aloud if these changes will come quickly enough to win back the rural support the premier needs as he faces the leadership vote on April 9th in Red Deer.