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Alberta

5 more deaths and 306 new COVID-19 cases. Alberta recognizing volunteers and calling for more.

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From the Province of Alberta

Update 40: COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta (April 22 at 4 p.m.)

There are 1,310 confirmed recovered cases in the province, and 306 new cases have been reported, bringing the total number of cases to 3,401.

Five Albertans have died since the last report, bringing the total number of reported deaths to 66.

Latest updates

  • Cases have been identified in all zones across the province:
    • 2,396 cases in the Calgary zone
    • 451 cases in the Edmonton zone
    • 303 cases in the South zone
    • 150 cases in the North zone
    • 79 cases in the Central zone
    • 22 cases in zones yet to be confirmed
  • Of these cases, there are currently 70 people in hospital, 18 of whom have been admitted to intensive care units (ICU).
  • 308 cases are suspected of being community acquired.
  • The total deaths are: 42 in the Calgary zone; 14 in the North zone; nine in the Edmonton zone; and one in the Central zone.
  • To date, 375 cases have been confirmed at continuing care facilities, and 44 residents at these facilities have died.
  • There have been 108,521 people tested for COVID-19 and a total of 113,499 tests performed by the lab. In the last 24 hours, 4,484 tests have been completed.
  • Any individual exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, including cough, fever, runny nose, sore throat or shortness of breath, is eligible for testing. People can access testing by completing the COVID-19 self-assessment online. A separate self-assessment tool is available for health-care and shelter workers, enforcement and first responders.

Access to justice

  • The Court of Queen’s Bench has extended limiting hearings to only emergency and urgent matters to May 31 and the adjournment of criminal jury trials and jury selections to Sept. 8. More information:

Mental health supports

Confidential supports are available to help with mental health concerns. The Mental Health Help Line at 1-877-303-2642 and the Addiction Help Line at 1-866-332-2322 are available between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., seven days a week.

Online resources provide advice on handling stressful situations and ways to talk with children.

Family violence prevention

  • A 24-hour Family Violence Information Line is available at 310-1818 to get anonymous help in more than 170 languages.
  • Alberta’s One Line for Sexual Violence is available at 1-866-403-8000, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Information sheets and other resources on family violence prevention are available at alberta.ca/COVID19.

Turkey hunting season

  • Hunters successfully drawn for the upcoming 2020 Merriam’s Turkey Season who are unable to participate due to COVID-19 are asked to not purchase their hunting licence. Their draw priority will be automatically restored following the end of the season.

Quick facts

  • The most important measure Albertans can take to prevent respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, is to practise good hygiene.
    • This includes cleaning your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds, avoiding touching your face, coughing or sneezing into your elbow or sleeve, and disposing of tissues appropriately.
  • Those with symptoms of COVID-19, including cough, fever, runny nose, sore throat, or shortness of breath, should complete an online COVID-19 self-assessment. After completing the form, there is no need to call 811.
  • Support is available to increase staffing of health-care aides and alleviate pressures in contracted continuing care facilities. Read the news release here.
  • All Albertans need to work together to overcome COVID-19. Albertans are asked to share acts of kindness they have experienced in their community during this difficult time by using the hashtag #AlbertaCares.

After 15 years as a TV reporter with Global and CBC and as news director of RDTV in Red Deer, Duane set out on his own 2008 as a visual storyteller. During this period, he became fascinated with a burgeoning online world and how it could better serve local communities. This fascination led to Todayville, launched in 2016.

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Alberta

Red Deer Company fined $360,000.00 after 2022 workplace fatality

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Company sentenced for workplace fatality

An oilfield equipment supplier will pay $360,000 related to a workplace fatality.

On Feb. 21, 2024 in the Red Deer Court of Justice, Isolation Equipment Services Inc. pleaded guilty to one charge under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Code for failing to take measures to eliminate the potential danger of equipment or material that was dislodged or moved. The Crown withdrew 28 other charges under OHS legislation. The company was sentenced on April 24.

The charges stem from an incident on a Red Deer construction site on Jan. 13, 2022. A worker operating an overhead crane was positioning a valve bonnet when the equipment released from the rigging, striking and pinning the worker. The worker sustained fatal injuries.

The company will pay $360,000 in total penalties, including a $1,000 fine. Under a creative sentence, $359,000 will be paid to Energy Safety Canada to develop supervisor and competency programs targeting those who work with new, young and inexperienced workers.

The Occupational Health and Safety Act provides a creative sentence option in which funds that would otherwise be paid as fines are directed to an organization or project to improve or promote workplace health and safety.

Both the company and the Crown have up to 30 days to appeal the conviction or penalties.

Alberta’s OHS laws set basic health and safety rules for workplaces across the province. They provide guidance for employers to help them ensure their workplaces are as healthy and safe as possible while providing rights and protections for workers. Charges under OHS laws may be laid when failing to follow the rules results in a workplace fatality or serious injury.

Quick facts

  • Jobs, Economy and Trade does not provide sentence documents. These are available through the Red Deer Court of Justice.
  • Victim fine surcharges apply to fines payable to the Crown. The $1,000 fine in this case includes the 20 per cent surcharge. Surcharges are not applied to payments to other entities, in this case Energy Safety Canada, under creative sentences.
  • Fatality investigation summaries are posted to alberta.ca/fatality-investigation-reports 60 to 90 days after court proceedings conclude.

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Alberta

Principal at Calgary Elementary School charged with possession of child pornography

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News release from the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT)

Calgary school principal charged

A Calgary school principal has been charged with offences relating to child sexual abuse materials following an investigation by ALERT’s Internet Child Exploitation unit.

ICE charged Bruce Campbell on April 16, 2024 with possessing and accessing child pornography. The 61-year-old man was employed as a principal at Sacred Heart Elementary School in Calgary.

“Currently we believe these offences are solely related to online activities, but can appreciate how parents and students would be shocked and concerned about these charges,” said Staff Sergeant Mark Auger, ALERT ICE.

Campbell allegedly uploaded child sexual abuse materials via Skype and ALERT was notified via the RCMP’s National Child Exploitation Crime Centre in January 2024.

Campbell’s Calgary home was searched and a number of phone and computers were seized. A preliminary forensic analysis of the seized devices found child sexual abuse materials on his work-issued cellphone.

While the investigation and charges are related to online offences, the nature of Campbell’s employment placed him in a position of trust and authority. ICE is encouraging anyone with information about this case to come forward and contact police. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact local police or Crime Stoppers (1-800-222-TIPS).

Campbell was released from custody on a number of court-imposed conditions, and is awaiting his next scheduled court appearance on May 10, 2024 in Calgary.

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime.

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