Premier Kenney addressed Albertans with four major announcements in his daily provincial update, which can be seen online each afternoon at approximately 3:30 p.m through the Government of Alberta's website.

Kenney was joined by Minister of Children's Services Rebecca Shulz, Minister of Community and Social Services Rajan Sawhney and Energy Minister Sonya Savage.

Addressing the need for childcare for critical service providers

Starting next week select licensed child care facilities will re-open in order to provide care for core service providers, starting with health care workers.

Centres will be chosen based on proximity to health care facilities and will be re-opened in a phase approach.
Limited to 30 people including staff, with strict healthcare measures, including screening of students at drop off, or surveys for health concerns.
Minister of Children’s Services Rebecca Shulz said there could be as many as 6,000 facilities re-opened next week.
Kenney said, "Health care and municipal critical infrastructure workers are at the top of the list, add other essential services such as police and fire, EMS personnel correctional service workers and other impacted sectors" will be contacted as capacity opens in the centres.

Employers will notify families if they qualify to send their kids to newly re-opened centres. Dayhomes may remain open for up to six children each, not including the provider’s children.

Additional support and protection for the homeless

The Emergency Management Committee Cabinet has announced support for the network of homeless shelters across the province, by supporting the immediate expansion and services provided by groups like Safe Harbour Society and the Mustard Seed in Red Deer.

Effective immediately, pandemic shelter plans have been released for service providers, including re-arranging spaces to allow for appropriate separation between clients.

Kath Hoffman of Safe Harbour Society has confirmed that they have been working closely with the City of Red Deer, Alberta Health Services and other agencies to ensure a swift move to the old Cannary Building, located on 53rd Avenue. This move allows for greater distancing between clients, more washrooms, a place to stay warm and to connect to life-saving services.

The Mustard Seed will continue to operate in their existing space.

Earlier this week, an additional $60 million was provided the Government to help manage capacity and staff support for homeless shelters, women's shelters and other emergency services to help people experiencing homelessness and other crucial non-profit service providers.

Latest actions to protect and sustain the economy

"The actions I'm announcing today and in the coming days are designed to ensure the domestic energy sector gets through the price collapse and will assure Canada’s security of supply in the long term," Kenney said during his public address.

Government is funding the industry levy for the Alberta Energy Regulator for a period of six months, achieving $113 million in industry relief.
Granting extensions for oil and gas tenures: Extending the term of mineral agreements expiring in 2020 by one year provides increased certainty for industry by allowing additional time to raise capital and plan future activities.
- The Government waiving the industry levy for the Alberta Energy Regulars for six months Industry relief totaling $113 million dollars.

Kenney said information on deferral on corporate income taxes will follow shortly.

Formation of the Economic Recovery Council

Last, Kenney announced the official launch of the Alberta Economic Recovery Council, whose task is to "think about and provide practical advice to the Alberta Government on the path through this economic crisis and to think about the mid and long-term strategy for recovery and diversification.”

“To be honest, to be blunt, the Ministers in our Government and in our senior officials are focused on hour by hour and day by day crisis management," Kenney said.

"That is why we’re calling on some of our most respected leaders in business and civil society to help point the way forward for the emergence of Alberta's economy in the long term.

The Council is being chaired by Dr. Jack Mitz and includes the Hon. Stephan Harper, among other notable economic experts.