Oraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaal question period.

NDP Leader Rachel Notley kicks it off by asking about doctors leaving the province.

Premier Jason Kenney says according to the socialist party, apparently we're oppressing physicians by paying them. There was an increase of 306 physicians

Notley lists another name, saying a physician Dr. White left the province.
Kenney says he's sorry to inform the NDP the political preferences of a socialist party do not constitute a charter right.
Sarah Hoffman heckles, "mobility?"

Notley says a charter right is breeched when you tell people what jobs they must keep and whether they can or cannot move from one province to another. Lists more doctors' names.

Kenney says in February 2019 there were 9,377 physicians billing, 9,630 physicians in 2020, an increase.

Notley said ya only threatened to not allow them to not leave last week.

Notley says the UCP government's support for childcare is the worst in Canada. Why are you shackling half of Albertans from participating in the economic recovery?
Premier says the govt is doing no such thing. They're working with childcare providers.

What NDP calls shackling is working with providers to ensure safe limits.
Notley quotes Bank of Canada governor.
RBC says women's participation in the workplace is at historic low
(I believe the report said lowest since 1980s, not historic)

Kenney says they are streamlining regulations that have previously limited the number of
Premier says NDP is fond of saying Alberta is the worst for women.

Notley says shrinking access to childcare is preventing Albertans from returning to their jobs. Why not support universal $25-per-day childcare?

Premier says the NDP leader is so short she forgot in cour years she did not create universal childcare, just a pilot
Hoffman heckles, "it didn't go far enough, so get rid of it"

Sarah Hoffman asks about the lack of funding for a safe reopening in schools. She says all they're getting is cuts and talking points.

Premier says Hoffman will go down in history as an MLA who makes stuff up.
Notley groans, "oh my god. Population. Inflation. Pandemic."

Hoffman says the UCP is handing over $4.7B to wealthy corporations.
Premier lolz
Hoffman asks about increased costs to families. Why asking parents and staff to carry increased costs?

Premier says they're working closely with schools, trustees, superintendents, principals, and parents. NDP always thinks the solution is to spend more, but doesn't tell how to raise more. Who would you tax more?
Hoffman says the $4.7B in corporate giveaways, that's how

Hoffman asks why they won't put int eh resources in place to ensure safe reopening.
Premier says there is a comprehensive plan that will be announced tomorrow. Let me respond to the huge whopper —$4.7B. NDP raised taxes and revenues went down, he says.

Premier says NDP is trying to put a four-year figure into one year. Misleading.

Janis Irwin is speaking about the uneven economic recovery, women aren't addressed in the economic recovery plan, she says.
Premier says he's glad the NDP recognizes there's an economic crisis.
He says it's affecting "both genders."

Irwin says many women are not reopening the workforce because they're not able to participate. 55 per cent participation, lowest since 1985. Women unable to return because of the lack of affordable, accessible child care.

Children's Services Minister Rebecca Schulz says the NDP's pilot supported four per cent of childcare providers, two per cent of parents.
We'll continue to invest dollars, millions reinvested to low-income working parents, Schulz said.

Irwin says they're "encouraging" (air quotes) child care, but ask about the reversal of $25-day childcare.
Schulz calls it half-baked that only supports a select few. They picked winners and losers. Ignored female entrepreneurs. They will reduce red tape to get parents working

Searle Turton asks about a pressing need for new lab equipment.
(Hey! that was announced two hours ago!)

Marlin Schmidt says Kanaskis Country [UCP MLAs laugh]
He asks why five-star hotels and condos in this natural environment is necessary.
Jason Nixon says the member reached a new low (I thought they said the Thatcher comments were the new low)

Schmidt said there is no investment forthcoming, no protection forthcoming. Asked about constituents in Banff—Kananaskis, or other MLAs who have expressed concerns.
Nixon says the desperation is unbelievable from the NDP.
"We're not shutting one campsite"

He says this is the politics of hate and smear.

Schmidt said they will be mining in Kananaskis instead of camping there. Albertans will push back.
For those seeking more information, can you list off who you consulted with? If the answer is no one, will you back away?

Nixon says the honourable member is never tired of being wrong.
They are not for sale, or will they ever be for sale, Nixon says. It's shocking to see the hon. member fear monger. We got it under control.

Irfan Sabir said the govt didn't consult Indigenous communities, NWT before suspending environmental monitoring, but they did consult Suncor.

Nixon said we didn't suspend environmental monitoring, we did suspend reporting requirements.
He said Fort MacKay asked for an extension on Moose Lake because of COVID-19 and they did it.

Sabir said the head of AER discussed environmental monitoring suspending with business.
What's being done now to address concerns?

Nixon says that's the angry NDP. They're fear-mongering and misleading. Yes the AER took some steps, but that was to protect people from COVID-19, but they're protecting the environment. AER was corrupt under NDP

Sabir says the AER is a dumping ground for climate-change-denying friends of the UCP.
Energy Minister Sonya Savage says every jurisdiction suspending reporting requirements. Done to protect safety.

Garth Rowswell says some of his constituents said they were considered with a delay in learning more info of the site rehabilitation program.
Savage said the government saw a phenomenal responses. Took some time to get through and are now caught up

Savage says there are more than 91,000 inactive wells. We have more than Saskatchewan and have a larger allocation of federal funds. It's extremely important to allow the program to proceed.

Joe Ceci says the federal government allocated $19B to municipalities for PPE, paid sick leave. When will Albertans learn how the funding will be allocated?
Municipal Affairs Minister Kaycee Madu says this is a very recent announcement. Working with muni partners

Ceci says the premier doubled down on the corporate handout while leaving businesses scrambling. Refused to provide details on paid sick leave. Will you reveal whether Alberta will offer a paid sick leave?

Labour Minister Jason Copping says the announcement was made yesterday and still working through details. Says CERB is in place right now.

Ceci says there's more to PPE than doling out masks aside Big Macs.
Will businesses be receiving additional support for PPE, or do you believe that grant you gave is enough to cover costs?

Madu says they led the country in making PPE available.

Nichole Goehring says a Red Deer student could not deliver a speech for his Queen's Jubilee award because he criticized the government?
Minister Leela Aheer said it was such a pleasure to meet with the student today. The LG's office apolitical.

Goehring says Jessie (sp?) has some questions: you say you're a champion for the arts, but you've brought cuts.
Aheer says they're in a fiscal crisis. They're beyond lucky with the abundance going towards the arts. Disingenuous for NDP to be aksing about arts

Goehring says Jessie asked about the UCP's record on LGBTQ2S+ rights. What are you actively doing to protect kids?

Aheer says the level of division, bigotry and the dark side of the NDP...she says she had a lovely conversation about protecting all people in the province. Says we're blessed to have a protection of those rights.

Jason Stephan says Friday was a great day. We're blessed by the announcement of the recovery community in Red Deer. Asks how recovery communites support individuals

Jason Luan says the NDP failed with a one-pillar approach that led to a system of chaos

Luan says the NDP's legacy is needle debris and social disorder.

David Shepherd says this morning @UbakaOgbogu resigned from the Health Quality Council of Alberta.
Health Minister Tyler Shandro says they're expanding the mandate to focus on patients. Rejects Dr. Ogbogu's assertions in his letter.

Shepherd asks what is says about the plan for a public health care system that you're unwilling to be honest. Point of order noted.
Shandro says professor makes it clear he has much wider issues with our government. Says he appreciates NDP appointee finds it impossible to serve

Shepherd says the government appointed former UCP ED as a health/mental health advocate. How badly are your decisions going to hurt the health care system you feel the need to change every independent body?
Shandro says the sound you hear is NDP scraping bottom of barrel

Shandro asks them to denounce failed NDP candidate's comments that international doctors are "scabs"

Christina Gray asks about a petition to keep hands off the Canada Pension Plan.
Asks when the referendum is scheduled.
Finance Minister Travis Toews says we're doing work and research, costs and risks of Alberta Pension Plan versus Canada Pension Plan. Quotes Fraser Institute

Gray says Albertans are concerned the government made up their mind. Says at least one MLA's office is telling people there will be a referendum (Taber Warner)

Toews says let's set the record straight — APP or CPP, same liabilities. We're doing a detailed analysis. If there's a reason to do so, we'll put the question before Albertans.

Gray asks why the UCP dominated committee voted down debate on her private member's bill.
Toews says he takes offence to that. Saying the NDP missed their opportunity to debate.

Jeremy Nixon says many oil and gas sites were left at the end of their life by the hostile previous provincial government. Can you give an update of Phase 1 and 2 of the oil well cleanup program?
Savage says thanks. $75.8M allocated to 155 companies
CELL PHONE!!!

(We'll see if the Speaker makes Garth Rowswell give a donation to the foodbank).
[Deron Bilous walks in wearing a mask. I think that might be the first MLA I've seen wearing a mask in the chamber, but I'm willing to be corrected on that]

Ope! he popped it into a baggy

Kitchen timer goes off. Looks like the non-minister Nixon's question will be the last of the day.