Reg Warkentin

By Reg Warkentin - Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce

"frustratingly slow" process still allows optimism

Alberta needs plan for a business-led recovery

Mar 22, 2021 | 10:33 AM

One year into the pandemic and we’re just getting a glimpse of the finish line as Alberta progresses through the phased reopening plan while vaccinations are finally underway.

It’s been a tough go with shutdowns and restrictions negatively affecting people’s mental health, their ability to earn a living and going months without seeing friends or family members.

Although unfortunate that our vaccination rates aren’t on par with economic and healthcare superpower countries like Estonia or Lithuania, many of our most vulnerable and front-line health care workers have begun receiving their first dosages. Simultaneously infection rates and hospitalizations are dropping.

This progress, as frustratingly slow as it may be, is allowing for optimism and positivity. No doubt many Albertans feel done with the virus, even if the virus may not be done with them. In tandem with the arrival of spring, the patience and sacrifice necessary to stay home and strictly adhere to health guidelines is giving way to the desire to see friends and family members, enjoy group recreational activities and enjoy a meal or drink out with people the government considers “outside of your cohort.”

There is a plan in place for phased re-openings, but there was also a plan in place before anybody knew what COVID was. The intended role of Alberta’s Management Agency is to formulate plans to deal with emergencies and advise the Premier accordingly. Former Executive Director of the Agency, Lieutenant Colonel David Redman asserts that when Alberta announced a general lockdown he immediately knew the emergency response plan was being ignored.

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Many Albertans felt frustrated and perhaps a bit betrayed when our hospitalization rates were reduced to the level we thought would trigger the next phase of reduced restrictions – for whatever reason the government chose not to follow the plan. Again, despite cases and hospitalizations continuing to fall, our Chief Medical Officer of Health is giving dire warnings and signaling we may not progress to phase 3.

This goes hand in hand with businesses still struggling to survive while handicapped with restrictions preventing sales and core activities and our provincial unemployment rate far worse than the Canadian average.

Everyone can appreciate the importance of planning whether it is for a career, education, personal finances, or a business. Creating and following plans creates a degree of certainty that allows us to move forward from one step to the next prepared and with confidence. In the midst of World War 2, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill commented on planning:

“Writing a book is not unlike building a house or planning a battle or painting a picture. The technique is different, the materials are different, but the principle is the same. The foundations have to be laid, the data assembled, and the premises must bear the weight of their conclusions.”

To date, much of the government’s strategy seems to be focused on going from fire to fire and throwing massive amounts of money at the various issues and locking us down with additional restrictions. The federal government has gone two years without a budget and spent more money and racked up more debt than any time in history. There is no ammunition left in the form of government stimulus. Now, a true and sustainable recovery can only be led by business. This was the message delivered by Canadian Chamber CEO, Perrin Beatty, former long serving parliamentarian and Cabinet Minister.

Sadly, attempts to build optimism, positivity and move forward are continually hampered by health leaders continually instilling fear of variants and “outbreaks” that are often single, isolated cases. To quote Churchill again: “Fear is a reaction. Courage is a decision.”

With jobs, livelihoods, and lives on the line it is more important than ever that we focus on planning and enabling a business-led recovery that is rooted in courage, confidence and our ability to safely manage the risks associated with any new outbreak, variant, or possible third-wave. A strong recovery requires a quick reopening to heal the economy and allow for our province to get back to work.

Reg Warkentin is the policy and advocacy manager with the Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce

Column submitted March 18, 2021

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