Photo: Shane Clausing

By Shane Clausing

new path forward

Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce pleased with provinces path forward plan

Feb 9, 2022 | 2:00 PM

The Chair of the Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce says he and businesses owners in the region were encouraged by the Alberta government’s announcement to begin loosening restrictions starting Feb. 9.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announced the removal of the Restriction Exemption Program (REP) and the potential for almost all public health restrictions to be gone on March 1, assuming COVID-19 hospitalization numbers continue to drop.

Tertius Genus says he’s pleased to see a path forward for impacted businesses to get back to normal.

“Most of our members are cautiously optimistic with the announcement. It’s encouraging to see the new measures being announced,” he explained. “Our hope is this is a one-time announcement and we don’t have to adjust these measures in the near future. Like we’ve seen in the past, there is a fear if there’s a bit of a spike in cases afterward, which could happen for reasons not necessarily associated with the removal of the REP, that it could introduce restrictions again.”

“The new measures we do feel mitigate the burden on businesses and will allow them to focus on other issues, such as labour issues and supply of raw material,” he added. “There is, however, still a need for personal responsibility, self-monitoring and safe distancing.”

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Genus tells EverythingGP while some will say it’s too early to lift the restrictions and others say now is the right time, he’s confident the province is making the right decision.

“You’re going to have sides that think it’s long overdue and the sides that say this is way too fast. I think we have to go with the data they provided, which was in conjunction with the health authorities, and also that they’ve used other examples such as Britain and Saskatchewan that will start this process as well.”

While restrictions could be a thing of the past by March 1, Genus feels the number one thing that will help businesses rebound is consumer confidence.

“We’re still going to have to be resistant and have to be cautious. We still have to adhere to those measures in place. I love the sense it is creating a bit of optimism.”