â–º Listen Live
â–º Listen Live

NDP demands Kenney commit to public inquiry on COVID-19 outbreaks at meat plants

Alberta’s Official Opposition is demanding Premier Jason Kenney commit to a public inquiry into the handling of COVID-19 outbreaks at two southern Alberta meat plants.

As of Thursday there were 480 workers with novel coronavirus at the Cargill plant in High River and 126 workers at JBS in Brooks, as well as two deaths, one worker from each plant.

NDP Labour Critic Christina Gray says the only way to truly learn from these tragedies is to hold the government to account through a full public inquiry.

She admits now is not the time to start the inquiry but the Official Opposition is asking for a commitment by the Premier.

Gray says “Jason Kenney must commit to this public inquiry. The premier and his ministers have ben insisting that the situation at Cargill and JBS have been and continue to be handled properly. If that’s true, he should be fully willing to launch a public inquiry to determine the facts.”

The NDP says workers at Cargill had been raising concerns over tight-quarters, lack of personal protection equipment and other issues for about two weeks before the first cases of COVID-19 were confirmed.

Tina Karst
Tina Karst
A Lethbridge College alumnus, Tina moved back to the community two years after convocation, in September 2007, to become a member of the CJOC News Team. She started as a weekend reporter/anchor and now serves as Associate News Director. When Tina's not tracking down local news, she's either busy at home with Jordan and their two kids or creating custom macrame pieces for a growing list of clients.
- Advertisement -

cjoc Now playing play

ckbd Now playing play

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Celebrate Barons Family Day this Saturday

Spend July 5 with the family in Barons for Barons Family Day. 

New referendum rules come into effect in Alberta

New rules have come into effect in Alberta that could make it easier for residents to start a province-wide referendum.  

Nature Conservancy partnership protects historic southern Alberta ranchland

The Nature Conservancy of Canada has announced that the first phase of the Bob Creek Ranch conservation project has been completed. 

Disruptions along 5 Street South to begin Monday

Starting Monday and until July 9, City of Lethbridge crews will be conducting geotechnical drilling (boreholes) at 11 locations.  

Impaired driving enforcement a focus for police in July

Lethbridge Police and other law enforcement agencies across the province are focusing on impaired driving throughout July. 
- Advertisement -