By EverythingGP Staff

Legislature Suspended

Spring sitting of Alberta Legislature suspended amid rising COVID-19 cases

May 2, 2021 | 1:24 PM

Alberta is suspending its current legislative session due to rising cases of COVID-19 in the province.

A government news release says the need to pause the spring sitting was discussed with the Official Opposition earlier Sunday.

The news release says the government house leader has advised the Speaker that the session should be paused until May 17.

Its says the suspension is to prevent further spread of COVID-19 and not due to any confirmed cases among legislature members or staff.

“With COVID-19 continuing to spread across Alberta, the Government has determined that having MLAs return to Edmonton from all over the province after constituency week is no longer prudent,” said Government House Leader Jason Nixon, in that release. “Suspending proceedings is the right thing to do as case counts increase.”

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The opposition NDP released a statement in response to the decision, saying they “adamantly oppose Jason Kenney’s cowardly decision to flee the legislature”.

“The first item on the agenda for Monday must be an emergency debate on Jason Kenney’s failing pandemic response,” said NDP Leader Rachel Notley. “Alberta workers need paid sick leave, families need a Learn From Home Fund to support students online, our variant testing system needs immediate improvement, and our existing public health measures must be enforced.

“All this work is being left undone because Jason Kenney is afraid of public scrutiny.”

Cabinet will continue to meet virtually and legislative committees will also continue their work with members participating remotely.

(With files from the Canadian Press)