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By Chris Brown

Latest on COVID-19

Province to open more child care spaces next week

Mar 20, 2020 | 3:40 PM

The Alberta government will open more child care spaces in an effort to ease work concerns for parents who work in critical sectors.

Premier Jason Kenney said a phased re-opening of licensed child care centres will begin next week and the centres will be chosen based on proximity to certain facilities.

Priority will be given to parents who work in health care but may expand to other industries including first responders.

Parents will be notified through their employer if they qualify for a space.

Kenney also announced the expansion of the network of homeless shelters will take place across Alberta. Kenney specifically mentioned plans in larger centres in Alberta, but not Medicine Hat.

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Kenney also announced immediate help for Alberta’s energy sector.

The province will fund the industry levy for the Alberta Energy Regulator for a period of six months and will extend mineral agreements set to expire in 2020 until next year.

The members of the province’s Economic Recovery Council, which will guide the province through a looming economic crisis that waits on the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic and the collapse of energy prices.

“This is the most significant and disruptive economic downturn in generations. It will get worse before it gets better. The Government of Alberta will do everything in its power to protect jobs and job creators,” states Kenney in a release.