-Members of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees at the Good Samaritan Society’s Southgate Centre say they’re “preparing for layoffs”, as they say the provincial government has pulled its funding for long term care beds.

AUPE Vice-President Susan Slade says last week, staff were told that Alberta Health Services was permanently reducing funding to the centre to accomodate for 149 beds, which is a reduction.

They were also told it would lead to a loss of 44 positions.

Slade says yesterday, the Good Samaritan Society cancelled all its negotiation meeting dates with the AUPE.

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-The feds have released a report where they claim their plan to transition to a clean-energy economy won’t lead to massive unemployment in energy towns.

It says many workers already have the skills needed to work in emerging sector, such as hydrogen and biofuels.

The report goes on to dispute Premier Danielle Smith’s view that the feds are trying to shut down the oil and gas industry in Alberta.

The feds say “if they play their cards right”, the clean energy economy will create so many jobs, there may not be enough workers to fill them.

No reply yet from the Premier’s office.

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-Health Canada has removed what they’re calling an unauthorized prescription drug called Solmux from the Palengke Pinoy store in Camrose.

They say people shouldn’t take this product and that if you have it in your home, take it to your local pharmacy so they can dispose of it, as prescription drugs can only be legally sold with a prescription. (photo courtesy of Health Canada/CNW)

FROM HEALTH CANADA:

This unauthorized product was labelled to contain carbocisteine, a prescription drug for thinning mucus, which may pose serious health risks such as nausea, diarrhea, allergic reactions and gastrointestinal bleeding. It was sold as capsules in foil packets without accompanying exterior packaging and safety information.

Carbocisteine is a prescription drug that is not approved for use in Canada. It is used in other countries to treat conditions associated with too much mucus in the respiratory tract. Side effects include diarrhea, nausea and heartburn. Serious allergic (e.g., anaphylactic) and skin reactions have been reported with its use. Carbocisteine can disrupt the lining of the stomach and can cause gastrointestinal bleeding in the elderly, those with a history of peptic ulcers, or patients taking medications known to cause gastrointestinal bleeds such as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The use of carbocisteine by pregnant people is not recommended.

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-There’s been a recall of the “PC” brand of Canadian Cheddar Cheese.
Its the 250gram packages and they have “best before” dates of August of this year.
Health Canada says they may contain Listeria, so either toss them or take them back where you got them. (photo courtesy of Health Canada)

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-A pedestrian was critically hurt after being hit by a vehicle near Red Deer yesterday afternoon.
RCMP say it happened along the QE-2 and the 32nd Street Exit..
The victim was flown to an Edmonton hospital.

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-They didn’t provide a lot of details, but the province says more money is going to be spent on programs to recruit more doctors to rural areas.
Health Minister Jason Copping says 158-million dollars will be put towards this venture, along with recruiting nurses from the U-S and U-K.
The Health Workforce Strategy also involves hanging onto healthcare workers already here, recruiting new ones from across Canada and internationally, designing new models of care and implementing proactive approaches to long term workforce planning.

Jobs Minister Brian Jean says more details will be released after the budget comes down later this month.

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-Both the Edmonton Food Bank and the one at the U of A are seeing a huge demand for help these days, as people are struggling to pay for the high cost of food.
Officials with the campus food bank say they’re going to need some help themselves if they’re going to keep up.
Matt Yanish with the Council of Alberta University Students says 30-percent of students at the U of A are currently skipping meals on a regular basis because they can’t afford to pay for food and schooling.

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-The Alberta Federation of Labour is demanding the UCP release the findings of a minimum wage report that was completed in 2020, but never made public.
The AFL is alleging the UCP have a plan to cut the minimum wage in rural Alberta, but Jobs Minister Brian Jean’s people say he won’t be recommending that.

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-A survey done late last month to find out what Albertans think of replacing the RCMP with a provincial police force, shows 85-percent would want a vote on it.
66-percent of those asked, feel the time and money that’s being spent pushing for it, should be spent on helping people who are homeless, or those with mental health and addiction problems.
They’re also calling for improvements to the current policing and justice systems.

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-The overall death toll from last week’s earthquake in Turkey and Syria has gone past more than 41-thousand.
But amazing stories of survival are still emerging, as rescuers pulled a child, woman and two men from the wreckage overnight.
And a cat that was rescued yesterday was so grateful to firefighters, that he hasn’t left their side since.

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-The city of Edmonton had some explaining to do this week, after a few social media platforms started talking about a quiet update regarding topless guidelines at city pools.
As of last summer, the city decided no one could be prevented from swimming at a city pool simply because they’re topless.
The city says it comes down to human rights, and they can’t exclude based on gender.
But topless is not allowed in other areas of city-run rec facilities.

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-A big insurance company is on the move to Edmonton’s core.
“Lloyd Sadd Insurance” is heading from 124th Street to 101st Street.
The company has more than 2-hundred employees, and the Downtown Business Association is thrilled, especially as work continues to improve the city centre.

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SPORTS:

-Brooks Bandits hit the Camrose Kodiaks 8-1 last night.

NHL:

-Detroit beat the Flames 5-2.

-Hurricanes rocked the Habs 6-2.

-BlueJackets downed the Jets 3-1.

TONIGHT:

-Oilers are hosting the Rangers this evening at Rogers Place. 7pm start.

-Sens take on Chicago at 5.

WHL:

-Red Deer Rebels host the Kamloops Blazers at 7pm

AJHL:

-Camrose Kodiaks in Drumheller to play the Dragons.

-Spruce Grove Saints meet the Fort McMurray Oil Barons
-Whitecourt Wolverines take on the Okotoks Oilers.
-Sherwood Park Crusaders face the Lloydminster Bobcats.
-Bonnyville Pontiacs meet the Drayton Valley Thunder
-Blackfalds Bulldogs play the Canmore Eagles
-Calgary Canucks are up against the Brooks Bandits.