The NDP’s economic development critic says the province’s handling of the pandemic has lead to a number of job losses.
Deron Bilous was on the Trending 55 Hot Seat and says that other provinces that have handled the pandemic better haven’t had as much of a negative impact on their economies.
“There’s studies that are now out, we know that economists have linked the number of cases to the economies that have performed the worst. So we know that getting COVID-19 under control is good for the economy and that’s something that has not happened here in Alberta.”
According to Statistics Canada, Alberta has the second highest unemployment rate in the country and had the worst performing economy in the country in 2020.
Bilous says they want to see more financial supports for struggling businesses and a stronger enforcement of the public health restrictions.
“Business owners that I have been talking to have said what’s not fair is when rules are not being enforced and you have some businesses who from day one have adhered to the rules and restrictions, and you have businesses across the street from theirs who have not adhered to these rules. With no public enforcement, that means that it’s an unlevel playing field.”
You can listen to our full interview with Bilous below.
– Kyle Moore, Trending 55 Newsroom
