Weekly Update: March 26 – 31, 2021

Redesigned Rent Supplement Program

Following a review, the government has redesigned its Rent Supplement Program. The Rent Assistance Benefit will reopen on April 1. Formerly the Direct to Tenant Rent Supplement, this long-term benefit will continue to subsidize Albertans with the lowest income across the province. The Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit will open for applications on May 1. This new temporary benefit will provide a modest subsidy to help eligible tenants in Alberta’s seven major centres afford their rent while they stabilize or improve their situation. Details on both benefits are available online.

Improving access to MRIs and CT scans

A $33-million one-time commitment from Budget 2021 will support AHS to perform up to 50,000 additional CT (computerized tomography) scans and up to 45,000 additional MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans throughout the province in 2021-22. More information.

Vaccine rollout expanding to Phase 2B

Phase 2B of Alberta’s vaccine rollout includes cancer patients, transplant recipients, individuals with disabilities, dementia and other conditions that put them at higher risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19. Starting March 30, Albertans born in or before 1963 with eligible underlying conditions will be able to book appointments through participating pharmacies that have vaccine supply in Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer. In the coming week, as more vaccine supply is available, other pharmacies will begin to offer bookings.

Starting April 5, Alberta Health Services (AHS) will start taking bookings online or through 811 for people eligible in Phase 2B born in or before 1959. Additional birth years in Phase 2B will become eligible as more vaccines arrive. More information.

Providing COVID-19 vaccine to homebound Albertans

The Government of Alberta is also making it easier for people who are physically unable to leave their homes to get vaccinated as quickly as possible. Starting March 29, AHS will offer the vaccine to an estimated 3,000 homebound Albertans eligible in Phase 1 and 2A. The program will expand to Phase 2B individuals in the coming days and to other groups as they become eligible in upcoming phases of the provincial vaccination program. More information.

World leaders to meet on strengthening financial measures to boost efforts to cope with COVID-19 fallout

Calls for additional measures to reduce the debt burden and increase liquidity in low and middle-income countries to ensure a full recovery. The high-level virtual meeting organized by the Secretary-General together with the Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau and the Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness aims to underscore the urgency of the need for bolder and concrete action to provide liquidity and address debt vulnerability in developing countries. More information.

Helping Veterans through the Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund

The federal government announced that 23 organizations have been awarded funds to either start or expand their activities in support of Veteran and family well-being. More information.

The Government of Canada reminds travellers returning to Canada of COVID-19 border measures

Travellers should be aware of the following mandatory requirements to help with smooth processing at the Canadian border. A number of Canadians may have already received a COVID-19 vaccination. At this time, having a vaccination does not exempt anyone from having to comply with current testing, quarantine, and other requirements. Travellers must use ArriveCAN to provide COVID-19-related information, get tested before travelling to Canada, get tested when arriving in Canada and complete their day 10 test and quarantine. Note that the province or territory of the traveller’s final destination may have additional restrictions. More information.

New domestic violence legislation coming into effect

Alberta’s version of Clare’s Law will come into effect on April 1. At that time, people who feel they are at risk of domestic violence can apply for a disclosure to find out if their intimate partner has a history of domestic violence or related acts. The Disclosure to Protect Against Domestic Violence (Clare’s Law) Act also lets police take a proactive approach to domestic violence prevention, and disclose relevant information to people at risk, and only to those at risk. Applications will be available online starting April 1. More information.

Alberta Culture Days grants now open

Alberta’s government is now accepting grant applications for Alberta Culture Days 2021. Community organizations can apply for grants of up to $10,000 to plan and hold events showcasing local talent and boosting the impact and reach of existing cultural programs in their communities. Applications will be accepted until May 7. Culture Days events will take place throughout the month of September. More information.

$6M for medical students to work in rural Alberta

The funds will be used over three years to help students pay for the costs of medical school. In exchange, students will complete residency training in rural Alberta and agree to practise in a rural Alberta community when their schooling is complete. The Rural Health Professions Action Plan (RhPAP) will administer the new Return of Service Agreement program. More information.

Health Canada taking further action to confirm the benefit-risk profile of the AstraZeneca vaccine

In light of evolving information, Health Canada will be issuing additional terms and conditions on the authorizations of the AstraZeneca and Verity Pharmaceuticals/Serum Institute of India vaccines. These will include a requirement that the manufacturers conduct a detailed assessment of the benefits and risks of the vaccine by age and sex in the Canadian context. This information will support the ongoing evaluation of these rare blood clotting events, and allow Health Canada to determine if there are specific groups of people who may be at higher risk. Health Canada has been in discussions with AstraZeneca on this evolving issue. More information.

Government of Canada announces $20 million to help communities respond to increasing opioid-related overdoses

The federal government announced $20 million in funding for the distribution of naloxone kits and opioid overdose response training to support communities that have been particularly affected by the opioid overdose crisis and are experiencing challenges in improving health outcomes of their residents. The funded projects will be led by the Advanced Coronary Treatment (ACT) Foundation of Canada, the Canadian Red Cross and St. John Ambulance. More information.

Government of Canada announces first federal fund dedicated to rural transit solutions

The federal government announced $250 million over five years to help address the transit needs of Canadians living in rural, remote and small communities. More information.

Government of Canada invests in new research to address COVID-19 variants

To further accelerate efforts to understand and respond to the virus variants, the federal government announced an investment of $14.3 million from the Government of Canada, through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), to support new research on the COVID-19 virus variants. More information.