By Shaun Penner

Kenney Goes off

Kenney to snowbirds: “You must go directly home”

Mar 23, 2020 | 3:12 PM

Premier Jason Kenney spoke directly and bluntly about some of the issues he is seeing across the province during the COVID-19 outbreak.

During Monday’s press conference where he outlined more economic measures to help curb the impact the novel coronavirus has brought on Alberta’s economy, Kenney took a bit of a turn to firmly address ‘snowbirds’ returning home to Canada, scammers and product hoarders.

The Premier first started on ‘snowbirds’ (a term used to describe those who spend their winters in warmer climates in the south), saying that when they return to Canada they are to return directly to their homes and self-isolate for 14 days immediately, no exceptions.

“This does not mean going to the grocery store, it does not mean going to the kennel to pick up your dog, it does not mean dropping your RV off at a service company to get it serviced, it does not mean going to visit the grandkids. It means one thing, and one thing only: When you come into the country… you must go directly home.”

He added if those returning to the country need groceries or other supplies, they need to ask friends and family to help get them delivered to them and to not mix in with the rest of the population, should they be spreading the virus unknowingly.

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The premier said that he has heard and seen too many examples from the 1,000’s of people returning to Canada over the last few days, following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s call for all Canadians to return home, that displays to him some people are not taking the issue seriously enough.

“We have heard too many stories about people who think that this self-isolation rule for 14 days upon arrival is some kind of a vague general hint or suggestion,” said Kenney. “It is not. It is an absolute public health imperative and we are prepared, if necessary, to use stronger legal tools to impose that obligation on people.”

Kenney then targeted the scammers and fraudsters who have popped up in recent days, claiming to be from Health Link 811 who try to get the victim to give up their personal information, such as credit card numbers and social insurance numbers.

The premier put his foot down on how he felt about that.

“So, let me just say, to those who are trying to exploit seniors and others during this time of a public health emergency: There must be a special place in hell for people like that. Just stop it. It is unacceptable. It is illegal. If we catch anybody who is engaged in these kinds of fraud or scams, I guarantee you the book will be thrown at them and they will face the full force of the law.

He also took a swipe at those who may be hoarding or panic buying certain products that have left many charitable organizations, like the Salvation Army and food banks, in a bind as they struggle to re-stock their shelves as demand has increased.

With that, he once again called on the public to stop panic buying.

“They are struggling to get supplies because their suppliers are being stressed by all of the demand in the grocery stores and grocery system,” said Kenney. “This is outrageous. The poorest amongst us are being hurt by the people who are unnecessarily hoarding.”