By Canadian Press

Alberta expected to recognize essential COVID workers; NDP says get them top-up funds

Feb 10, 2021 | 11:53 AM

EDMONTON – Premier Jason Kenney is expected to discuss a plan today to recognize Alberta’s hundreds of thousands of critical workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Opposition NDP says Kenney needs to recognize it’s time to use hundreds of millions of dollars in available federal funding to top up wages.

NDP Leader Rachel Notley says the United Conservative government has used $30 million out of the $347-million maximum in eligible federal funding for essential workers under a deal brokered last year between Ottawa and the provinces.

The federal government promised to provide up to $3 billion if the provinces contributed $1 billion.

Notley says not only is the pay being denied to workers in high-risk jobs, but Alberta is also missing out on the effect the extra spending would have in stimulating the economy.

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Kenney has said the government doesn’t plan to leave $317 million on the table.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 10, 2021.

The Canadian Press