Sask. NDP questions reduced spending for displaced Ukrainians in the province
The provincial government is reducing funding to the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) by half a million dollars because the number of displaced Ukrainians arriving in Saskatchewan has dwindled. The UCC says the cuts led to six staff being laid off. NDP MLA Keith Jorgensen calls the cuts horrific, cold and callous.
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CTV News
6 hours ago
- CTV News
Albertans to start paying for COVID-19 vaccines after province changes immunization program
Many Albertans will have to start paying for a COVID-19 vaccine this year. In a press release Friday, the Government of Alberta said it was reducing eligibility for publicly-funded immunizations for the virus. The province said just over 1 million COVID-19 vaccines were wasted in the 2023-24 respiratory virus season, equating to 54 per cent of Alberta's order that year. It said the decision was made in response to changes to the federal vaccine procurement process earlier this year, which made provinces responsible for buying their own vaccines. 'Now that Alberta's government is responsible for procuring vaccines, it's important to better determine how many vaccines are needed to support efforts to minimize waste and control costs,' release said. The new vaccine program will roll out in four phases. During the first, only residents in senior's supportive living and home care will be able to get a vaccine for free. The second phase will open provincially-funded COVID-19 vaccines to people with underlying medical conditions or compromised immune systems, people living in congregate living accommodations, people on social programs like AISH or income support or people experiencing homelessness. In the third and fourth phases, all other Albertans starting with those 65 years old or older will be able to purchase a vaccine. Sarah Hoffman, Alberta NDP shadow minister for health, released a statement calling the decision 'callous' and 'anti-science.' 'It's cruel for the UCP government to put further financial burdens on Albertans who want to protect their health and their loved ones and not get COVID,' Hoffman said in the release. 'If the UCP government was really interested in eliminating waste and protecting the health of Albertans it would be promoting vaccines. That way the supply would get used and we would keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.' The province did not give a timeline for the rollout of the new program and did not specify when Albertans would stop being able to get a free COVID-19 vaccine or booster. Anyone who would like a COVID-19 vaccine can pre-order one starting Aug. 11. The province said it doesn't know yet exactly how much a dose will cost but estimates it will be about $110. CTV News Edmonton has reached out to the health minister's office for more information.
Winnipeg Free Press
10 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Liberals gear up for leadership race; sole MLA not interested
The hunt for a new Manitoba Liberal leader is set to begin this summer after the party's lone MLA confirmed Friday she doesn't want the job. 'After much consideration I have made the decision to not pursue the leadership,' Cindy Lamoureux, the member for Tyndall Park, said in a news release. Lamoureux has been interim leader since leader Dougald Lamont lost his St. Boniface seat in the 2023 election to NDP candidate Robert Loiselle. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES 'After much consideration I have made the decision to not pursue the leadership,' Cindy Lamoureux, the member for Tyndall Park, said in a news release. 'I will continue to focus my attention on serving the constituents of Tyndall Park and will remain on as the interim leader until a new leader has been elected by the party membership,' Lamoureux said. A leadership committee and convention team are being set up and the nomination period is expected to open early this summer, said party president Terry Hayward. 'That's my hope so that any potential candidates can get out there and start talking to people that they would like to support them in the campaign for leadership,' Hayward said. 'They will be reaching out as much as possible to liberals and potential liberals who would support them in the upcoming leadership campaign,' he said. It's been a long time since the Liberals were a force in Manitoba; under Sharon Carstairs'e leadership, the Grits won 20 seats and became official Opposition in 1988. 'We've had some rough times,' Hayward said Friday. 'We still are a viable party — a bit reduced, I would admit that,' he said. The party lost two of its three seats in 2023. 'I'm hoping that a leadership campaign will bring a few more people to the realization that there is a needed third voice here in Manitoba,' Hayward said. 'We've heard a lot of criticism from people saying that the current NDP party is presenting Progressive Conservative party ideas and policies.' He praised Lamoureux for providing 'excellent service' as the lone Grit in the legislature. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES Lamoureux has been interim leader since leader Dougald Lamont lost his St. Boniface seat in the 2023 election. 'She's been doing a great job bringing key things to the floor' said Hayward. 'There are more Cindys out there, more liberals like her out there, that we will work to get into the legislature and eventually get back to party status that we had,' he said. 'I think we've got a viable option for people.' The next election is expected in October 2027. Hayward said he expects a new leader should have at least 18 months in the role before Manitobans go to the polls. The committee in charge of the process will be unbiased in the search for a new leader, its president said. 'They will not be supporting any one candidate that might come forward — and that goes as well for our board of directors that are involved in this thing.' Wednesdays A weekly dispatch from the head of the Free Press newsroom. Carol SandersLegislature reporter Carol Sanders is a reporter at the Free Press legislature bureau. The former general assignment reporter and copy editor joined the paper in 1997. Read more about Carol. Every piece of reporting Carol produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
12 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Lone Liberal MLA won't seek leadership
Manitoba's lone Liberal MLA says she won't seek leadership of the provincial party. 'After much consideration I have made the decision to not pursue the leadership of the Manitoba Liberal Party at this time,' Cindy Lamoureux, the member for Tyndall Park, said in a news release. Lamoureux has served as interim leader of the Manitoba Liberals since party leader Dougald Lamont lost his St. Boniface seat in the 2023 provincial election to NDP candidate Robert Loiselle. 'I will continue to focus my attention on serving the constituents of Tyndall Park and will remain on as the interim leader until a new leader has been elected by the party membership,' Lamoureux said. 'I appreciate all the support that I have received from the party, family, friends and others.'
