The Legislature remains prorogued and there are no committee meetings this week. The Session begins on November 29th with a new Speech from the Throne.
Voting continues this week for members of the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) on a constitution that would allow the MNA to govern according to its own rules, laws, and traditions. Those in favour of the official partnership with the Canadian government say that the constitution will finally allow Métis to be recognized as a distinct Indigenous peoples with an inherent right to self-government, while opponents say the rights of individual Métis communities would be in jeopardy, particularly rural and remote communities. MNA citizens can vote online or in person until the end of the month. Details - and the proposed constitution - are available online.
Across Alberta, respiratory illnesses in children are on the rise, resulting in long wait times for pediatric hospital care. Wait times were over 16 hours at the Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary and the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton. Extended COVID-related public health measures that left children without exposure to viruses could be making children more susceptible to current outbreaks, according to an infectious disease specialist at the Alberta Children's Hospital. Shortages of medications, thanks to government red tape around imports, are complicating matters.
