ALBERTA NEWS HEADLINES July 25, 2020

ROUNDUP OF ALBERTA NEWS

Inspired by Verna Milligan & Carol Wodak

THE COLLECTION

UCP Decisions and Impacts 2019 – 2023

2BRIEF SUMMARY OF ALBERTA’S EXPERIENCE WITH FOR-PROFIT SURGICAL CLINIC: 2000 – 2010

Clouded vision on health Consumer report raises questions about merits of privatization

Calling for healthy answers

The sharp rise in active COVID-19 cases over the past week should be seen as a “wake-up call” by every Albertan. 

Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health,

THE LEAD:

Premier rejects harm reduction model during funding announcement for new addiction recovery centres

Handing somebody who’s deep in addiction a needle is not a continuum of care. I don’t even think it’s terribly compassionate simply to facilitate an addiction rather than to offer a full spectrum of services for recovery and lifetime treatment.

Jason Kenney

Last week, the province cut off funding to charitable organization ARCHES, which runs Lethbridge’s only supervised consumption site, one of the busiest sites in the country, after an audit found $1.6 million of unaccounted for public money.

A report last year found the province’s sites, including ARCHES, have a 100 per cent success rate at reversing overdoses. The sites also provide other services, like emergency medical care, education on the harms of drug use, and referrals to other social services like counselling.

The government also cut funding for a last-resort opioid treatment program earlier this year. 

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Some Alberta school boards reviewing links with WE Charity

Alberta school divisions are contemplating their future relationships with the charitable organization that has sparked probes of the federal government.

Alberta’s two largest school boards, Edmonton Public Schools and the Calgary Board of Education, said their relationships with WE Charity are under review, spokespeople said in separate statements on Friday.

Calgary Catholic Schools has “not yet determined” future participation in WE Day events, according to a statement from that division.

Red Deer Public Schools will also look at the issue, spokesperson Bruce Buruma said in an email.

“As to future involvement we have not had those discussions at this point but will review once we can connect with stakeholders,” he said.

A few of the boards declined to disclose more information about their review processes or timelines.

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