Red Deer Minute: Vaccine Passports, Municipal Deadlines, and Hospitals Over Capacity

Red Deer Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Red Deer politics

This Week In Red Deer:

• It’s going to be a busy week in federal politics because today is election day. Polls are open from 7:30 am until 7:30 pm. Check out Elections Canada, if you’re unsure where your polling place is.
  
  
• It’s not going to be a very busy week for Council with only one meeting scheduled, a City Council Regular Meeting scheduled for Wednesday - though no time or agenda has yet been announced.
  
  
• Today at noon also marks the nomination deadline for anyone wishing to run for Mayor, Councillor, or either Public or Catholic School Trustee in Red Deer. All candidates must have their signatures submitted by today at noon, and anyone who drops out of the race afterwards will still be on the ballot on October 18th.

Last Week In Red Deer:

• COVID-19 hospitalizations and a spike in ICU admissions have overburdened Red Deer Regional Hospital to the point that critically ill patients are being airlifted out to hospitals in Calgary and Edmonton. This comes as the Province reneges on a promise to not introduce a vaccine passport.
  
  
• Council has unanimously renewed hostilities with the province over the latter’s consolidation of ambulance dispatch in January. In a complaint with the Alberta Ombudsman, the City says the centralization of EMS dispatch has impacted patient health and safety.
  
  
• Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Red Deer City Council has agreed to be a key sponsor of the Red Deer International Powwow 2021 and the WHL Cup at a price tag of nearly $54,000. The events are scheduled for October and are expected to bring in thousands of attendees and spectators to the City.

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