Oraaaaal question period.

NDP Leader Rachel Notley kicks things off by asking about job cuts in the Cenovus/Husky merger.
Is the minister still going to tell those Calgarians this was a success?
Jason Nixon says it's rich she now pretends to care about oil and gas jobs

Notley says 2,000 Calgarians will be unemployed overnight. you directed billions to the oil and gas sector. We all agree its critical to the economy, we disagree on how to support it. Is Alberta's so-called recovery plan working in reverse or is this what you expected all along?

Nixon said they spent their time protesting the energy industry. We're investing significantly to get Albertans back to work, he says

Notley says they secured a pipeline while the members opposed did nothing but shout and play politics.
When will this government abandon the corporate handout and stop paying lip service to diversification and present a meaningful plan?

Nixon says the NDP never got one pipeline built. They over-regulated and chased away investment, he says.

Notley says if there's money in storytelling this province would be super rich

Notley says no one wants to see another lockdown. Will you work with us too prevent this?
Tyler Shandro says their answer is to do what they're already
"No job losses for nurses or other frontline staff," he says

Shandro says they're hiring contact tracers every day, turning around tests in 2 to 4 days.
Notley said based on a Harvard study we would need 1,300 contact tracers, not 800

Shandro says they're hiring more every day.
Shandro said on the call for a business risk index, they have the most transparent process. They have a map to provide guideance

Notley says unless you're the premier on a special list, you're waiting days for results. AHS is telling Albertans they could wait up to 10 days, which means lost wages. What are you doing to shorten this?

Shandro says they're partnering with pharmacies and Dynalife. Investing in supplies like reagents and swabs. Buying 3D printers to print swabs

Notley says this government can stop attacking frontline workers. The walkout was due to the disrespect. They're back to providing frontline care under the threat of losing their jobs. Will you acknowledge they ARE frontline/essential?

Shandro says the NDP contracted out 68 per cent of laundry

Notley says the member from Calgary—Acadia disrespects this house by that answer. These are women and people of colour making $20 per hour. You make over $180,000. Will the minister apologize for calling them greedy?

Shandro says they're going to continue to do what the NDP did, contract laundry, contract out continuing care beds

Notley says they did not contract out a single new worker while in government. Signed a deal to protect their jobs, you ripped it up in the middle of a pandemic

Oooh there was some desk thumping!

David Shepherd now up. Says if this government wants to take seriously the threat of COVID-19, they could take on the national tracing app
"The Trudeau tracing app" Nixon chuckles. #ableg #abpoli Shandro says Alberta was a leader with the provincial tracing app.

Shepherd says there are more than 200,000 Albertans that have downloaded the provincial app, but it didn't work. The federal app actually works. Why won't you rectify the mistake and bring in the actual function app

Shandro says it's unfortunate to see the pizzagate member continue his conspiratorial thinking.
Speaker asks for an apology/withdrawl
Shepherd says when you don't have facts you resort to insults.

*withdraw

Shepherd says business are begging for a business index.
Shandro says we have it and it's updated daily.
Leader of the opposition is really angry.
Jeers from the NDP
Marie Renaud asks, "do you need some pizza?"
Sgt At Arms calls for order as Notley walks

Renaud apologizes for asking if he needs pizza.
Speaker says no, you saw how Sabir apologized yesterday. Apologize and withdraw
She apologizes and withdraws

Todd Loewen says he watched a Notley video yesterday. Sounds like she's calling for more restrictions. How devastating would that be for small businesses?
Minister Doug Schweitzer said it would be devastating

Schweitzer, in answering the question, asks if the NDP jobs recovery plan includes shower heads

Loewen says the NDP and union boss Gil McGowan are asking for a shutdown
Point of order noted
Schweitzer says the government has rolled out a plan on hydrogen, natural gas, plastics, mines and minerals

Kathleen Ganley says yesterday the leader of the official opposition asked three times about the potential job losses at Cenovus/Husky. Now we know 2,100 will lose their jobs. when were you informed? When did you do anything?

Nixon blames the NDP.
Shockingly some stood on the steps of the legislature and protested pipelines, Nixon says

Ganley said yesterday the mistier of energy said consolidations are not unexpected. Why are you more interested in defending recipients of the corporate tax cut. Where's your plan for jobs?
Nixon says it's unfortunate to see anyone lose their jobs

Point of order called

Ganley says the UCP promised the corporate handout would create jobs. Will you admit the plan is working in reverse?

Toews acknowledged the hardship the layoffs would cause. Says they're confident the Alberta Recovery Plan will attract investment and create long-term sustainable jobs

Marie Renaud said prior to coming into the legislature she was on the steps with people protesting changes to a home for people with disabilities.
Rebecca Schulz says the rhetoric is creating anxiety. No plans to move clients out of their homes, she says

Renaud said the most medically fragile kids live at the Rosecrest here in Edmonton. They're the most vulnerable kids I've ever met. Explain why you're doing this in the midst of a pandemic?

Schulz says the CSS has been consulting for five months
Any decisions will be made with respect and compassion for these kids and their families

Renaud said the private/non-profit providers are paid less.
Schulz says members opposite deal in fear and chaos
[heckling]
Schulz says a responsible government will look at every single program, every single dollar. Says she will make sure they continue to receive support

Jeremy Nixon says there are many rough sleepers who choose to brave the cold over sleeping in shelters. What are you doing to help shelter homeless of Alberta as it gets colder
Big Nixon says, "good question"
Schulz says she appreciates the question

Outlines funding, fact shelters can operate 24/7 now

Jeremy Nixon says it's tough to isolate in shelters.
Schulz says they continue to work with organizations to help find appropriate housing solutions.

In past month, 240 have moved out of shelters to affordable housing

Nixon says hundreds are battling the disease of addiction. What are you doing to make sure we're less reliant on wet shelters in the future?
Schulz says through Alberta Recovery Plan, given $25M for five recovery communities

Joe Ceci says homeowners are seeing property taxes go up while oil and gas companies skip out on tax bill. Says he hopes municipal affairs minister is back soon/wishes a speedy recovery.
Speaker cautions it's inappropriate to refer to presence or absence of a member

Infrastructure Minister Prasad Panda says the new minister is working to attract business, NDP drove it out.
Point of order [UCP lolz at that]
Why do regular Albertans pay taxes while corporate friends are off the hook?

Panada says the minister is working hard to bring back investors. Look into your own riding. I used to work there. Look at what you did [point of order (can't say 'you')]

Ceci says municipalities are forced to raise residential taxes because of unpaid industrial tax. Why give corporate friends a free ride?
Toews says Minister of Municipal Affairs will be working on these challenges in severe economic times.

"Shed! Shed! Shed jobs!" Ceci Heckles. "Doing such a great job!" /s he says

Janis Irwin quotes from some of the worker on the picket line yesterday.
Loewen passes a note to Nixon. ( still so weird there's no pages)

Irwin says many women came to Canada in search of a better life. Brave workers who do vital work to keep health care going. Will you acknowledge they're indeed, frontline health workers?

Eggen heckles, "worst. healthcare minister. ever."
Someone: "third world minister"

Iriwin asks minister responsible for Status of Women to justify how they've been treated.
Minister Leela Aheer asks the NDP to condemn Gil McGowan who attacked private sector women

Aheer says it's a disgusting hypocrisy from the opposition

UCP MLA Tanya Fir says parents and grandparents can be vulnerable in the pandemic. How are we protecting them?
Schulz says we work tirelessly to keep seniors safe and well

Fir asks about building a wall of defence around seniors
Shandro says they've invested an additional $170M for continuing care facilities. Says Ontario/Quebec more restrictive, outcomes worse

Lori Sigurdson says tenant supports and ending in March 2021. Is ending the rent supplement program part of your housing plan?
Schulz says access to affordable housing is a critical issue. Will create a program that is efficient and sustainable

Sigurdson says housing and shelter is a human right. They need a home to isolate and physically-distance. There's federal funding on the table because the UCP won't match the dollar. How can you justify that?
Schulz says we can't continue to spend based on the state of finances

Sigurdson says municipalities are taking bold action about homelessness
Nixon makes a joke about "tent city"

Schulz says they're creating a program that's sustainable. Looking at the Rental Assitance Program in light of the review. Thank you for the important questions

Lorne Dach asks about the 247 agri-science researchers out of work. Why are you laying off 247 highly-skilled people in the midst of a pandemic?
Dreeshen says the question about innovation, we made an historic 10-year funding announcement for an arm's length agency

(This was the farmer-led research, but there was some dispute over what "farmer-led" meant)

Dach asks why they're gutting farm safety programs.
Dreeshen says when it comes to transformational changes, like so many businesses, they have to focus on core functions, core responsibilities

Dach says if 247 researchers aren't core function, I don't know what is. They will be part of the 20 per cent of those whose mortgage is in deferral. Why are they paying for your corporate tax cut?

Dreeshen says they have to make sure they offer services in an efficient manner. Ag sector and Forestry sector have seen an amazing year. Record crop almost complete. Forestry, record timber

Martin Long asks if there's an Emergency Protection Order coming for the caribou protection plan?
Environment and Parks Minister Jason Nixon says no, not with the agreement they signed with the federal government.