Open Letter to Premier Jason Kenney

Regarding Alberta not using $300 million of federal funding support for essential workers

Dear Premier Kenney,

I implore you to set aside your differences with the federal government and access the $300 million in federal funding still available to top up the wages of Alberta's essential workers who are risking their lives for us during this pandemic.

Other provinces have accessed the funding available to them and have already provided support to frontline health, social, childcare, and other essential workers as compensation for and in recognition of the work they have done and the risks they have assumed. Alberta workers deserve the same support.

I have been pushing the federal government to provide support for Albertans. Your government's refusal to access that support not only hurts Alberta's essential workers, it makes it harder for us to advocate for support for Alberta in the future.

It is not too late. For the sake of Alberta's workers, please access the remaining $300 million available and provide essential workers the top up they deserve.

Sincerely,

Heather McPherson,

Member of Parliament for Edmonton Strathcona