By Chris Brown with files from Chantal Wagner

Also touched on travel controversy

Kenney says he can’t guarantee all COVID restrictions will be lifted next week

Jan 7, 2021 | 10:16 AM

EDMONTON, AB – Premier Jason Kenney says he can’t guarantee all of the public health measures and restrictions introduced in November as December as COVID cases in the province spiked will be lifted next week.

“We obviously want to move to gradual relaxation and hopefully return to a more regional approach as soon as the numbers are in the right space,” Kenney said.

He said that with more than 900 people in hospital with COVID, more than 20 deaths a day and Alberta leading the country per capita on new cases and total active cases, the province is not in a position for widespread relaxation of those restrictions.

“We have to balance the public health imperative of COVID off against all of the other impacts of restrictions and that will inform our coverage going forward.”

Kenney took questions on Facebook Wednesday night in his first appearance since New Year’s Day when he refused to take action against UCP politicians and officials who travelled who took vacations abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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He said he is listening to Albertans and takes responsibility for those in his government.

“I am deeply, deeply disappointed and I share the public anger I hear people, people who made huge sacrifices,” said Kenney. “That is why we had very serious disciplinary action on Monday.”

Tracy Allard resigned as municipal affairs minister and Jamie Huckabay resigned as Kenney’s chief of staff. Other MLAs also lost some of their responsibilities.

Kenney called the decision by politicians and officials to travel abroad deeply insulting.

The premier says he’s in favour of people travelling during the COVID-19 pandemic if they do so safely but that politicians need to be held to a higher standard.

“I apologize as the leader of the team for the decisions that were made.”

Recall legislation will be introduced and passed in the upcoming winter/spring session of the legislature.

Media have reached to question Kenney every day since his first comments regarding government travel, but he has not been available.

He is expected to appear at Thursday’s COVID-19 update from Dr. Deena Hinshaw.