2021 Provincial and National Headlines
January
- In January, multiple MLA’s, including Grande Prairie MLA Tracy Allard, and Lesser Slave Lake MLA Pat Rehn, were caught vacationing out of the country at the height of travel restrictions during the Covid -19 Pandemic.
February
- Just under $35 million dollars over 3 years was earmarked for a new maternity and community health center in La Crete in February.
- The provincial government gave the go-ahead to demolish, the old High Prairie Hospital, the former JB Wood Nursing Home, and the old EMS station and garage.
March
- The provincial government announced 14 schools were approved for the design phase, including a K-12 school in Manning.
May
- A letter of proof from a nurse practitioner, physician or psychologist was needed to be exempt from the provinces mask mandate.
- Central Peace MLA Todd Loewen stepped down from the UCP caucus and became an Independent in the Legislature.
June
- Prizes, as incentives, were added to a lottery, put out by the provincial government, to get Albertans to get vaccinated for Covid-19. Prizes like Calgary Stampede passes, a million dollars, and WestJet Airline tickets and credits were given away.
- A week-long heatwave came in and settled in the Peace Region. Temperatures near 40 degrees were reported, which had people doing everything they could to stay out of the elements.
July
- Premier Jason Kenney fully opened the province for the summer. Covid numbers skyrocketed by the time school went back into session in the fall.
August
- The United Nurses of Alberta picketed at more than 25 worksites across the province.
September
- In September, Peace River-Westlock MP Arnold Viersen, and Grande Prairie-Mackenzie MP Chris Warkentin easily won their seats in the Federal Election. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau won a minority Government.
- Alberta was put into a state of public health emergency. The Provincial Restrictions Exemption Program took effect.
- 340 million dollars has been earmarked for Alberta Ranchers after this summer’s drought.
- Chrystia Freeland, who was born in Peace River, was appointed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as the first-ever female deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister.
- Canada’s first-ever National Day of Truth and Reconciliation Day took place, in conjunction with Orange Shirt Day.
October
- Senate elections, and a referendum on permanent Daylight Savings Time were also held during the Municipal Election. Only a 5,000 vote difference was tabulated on keeping the time-change in effect.
November
- The third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine was made available.
- QR Codes were the only record of vaccination allowed, under the province’s Restrictions Exemption Program.
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $10 per day child care is coming to Alberta, a deal in which the PM says will be a reality within five years.
December
- Record Cold Temperatures blanketed much of Western Canada, including the Peace and Mackenzie Regions, in the latter half of December. Hazardous Wind-Chills near -50 and lower were recorded, and will continue into the new year.
Keith Hopper, Trending 55
