EDMONTON — An online publication has been sent a cease-and-desist letter by the lawyers of Alberta’s premier over a story it ran alleging Jason Kenney and other top government officials broke the province’s COVID-19 rules.

Kenney called the Western Standard’s story “a fabrication from beginning to end” during a news conference Thursday afternoon.

His lawyers said it was “unsubstantiated gossip.” They demanded the Western Standard remove the article and related tweets, and issue a written retraction and apology.

Published Wednesday evening, the story cites unnamed elected representatives, as well as senior staffers, alleging Kenney took part in dinners at a downtown restaurant while indoor dining was banned by public health order. It alleged Alberta Health Minister Tyler Shandro and Environment and Parks Minister Jason Nixon had been there, too.

CTV News has been unable to verify the truth of the allegations.

The story’s byline belongs to Derek Fildebrandt, publisher and former leader of the Freedom Conservative Party. Fildebrandt founded the party in 2018 after being removed from Kenney’s United Conservative Party.

He told CTV News in an emailed statement, “The Western Standard stands by its story. Our reporters did their due diligence in cross-verifying sources.”

Fildebrandt added, “If the Premier wished to challenge any aspect of the Western Standard’s story, he or his staff should have responded to our direct questions.”

He disputed claims the publication never asked for comment from Kenney’s office.

PREMIER VISITED TWICE BEFORE PANDEMIC: SPOKESPERSON

According to Kenney, he has only dined at Bottega 104, an Italian restaurant in Edmonton’s downtown core, on two occasions prior to pandemic restrictions being in place.

The cease-and-desist letter reads: “In the case of Premier Kenney, he has only attended Bottega 104 on two occasions – once in 2019 and a second time for lunch in July 2020 in full compliance with public health restrictions.”

The premier added on Thursday, “Typically in the past few months I have dined out a few times when it was permissible for restaurants to operate with one of my two designated close personal contacts or by myself, and to show some support for the industry during tough times. But the story is completely false.”

One of the restaurant’s managing partners, Antonio Petosa, unequivocally denied any violations of Alberta’s COVID-19 restrictions – including indoor dinners by government officials.

Petosa said he got a call from a Western Standard reporter on Wednesday. It was the first time he heard of the publication, he says.

“He asked me point blank to comment on the fact that Jason Kenney and his cabinet ministers had been having illegal lunches and dinners here at Bottega,” Petosa recalled.

Motioning to security cameras throughout the restaurant, he says he replied, “Unless you have proof, because I have proof he wasn’t.”

Petosa told CTV News he offered to pull the security footage for the Western Standard if it provided dates, but heard no response. He offered CTV News the same thing, but said five months of 24-hour footage was too much to go through without a specific allegation.

“If this gentlemen can prove that it did, then we can have a discussion. Until then, it’s a false story from possibly a disgruntled ex-member of whatever and these things are hurtful.”

Official Opposition and Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley wouldn’t comment on the truth of the Western Standard’s story, but said it could symbolize internal UCP melee.

“What we know for a fact is that they are focused absolutely on the wrong things and that Albertans don’t know who to trust because that is what Jason Kenney has taught them to conclude.”

Kenney acknowledged his caucus had seen differing ideas about how to manage COVID-19, but denied any internal rift.

‘ONCE IT’S OUT THERE, IT’S OUT THERE’: MANAGER

Petosa said Bottega’s social media and email channels have been exploding since the story went online. Some commentators have claimed, for a while, to have seen Kenney there.

“When? Give me when you saw him? And then they don’t answer. Once the burden of proof is put on other people, no one so far has been able to answer,” he said.

“With the internet being what it is, once it’s out there, it’s out there. And it’s not like someone can take it back or erase it or delete it.”

He said the business is seeking legal advice, but in the meantime, is left hoping the same customers who were so supportive during COVID-19 shutdowns remain loyal.

Another downtown restaurant with a similar name, a tapas spot called Bodega, also put out a statement asserting its full compliance with Alberta’s public health orders.

With files from CTV News’ Jeremy Thompson, Bill Fortier and Timm Bruch

EDMONTON — A week after it received a cease-and-desist letter, the Western Standard has apologized to Jason Kenney and retracted the stories that alleged the premier and two ministers went to secret dinners in contravention of COVID-19 restrictions.

Published on June 9, the story cites unnamed elected representatives and senior staffers alleging Kenney took part in dinners at a downtown restaurant while indoor dining was banned by public health order. It alleged Alberta Health Minister Tyler Shandro and Environment and Parks Minister Jason Nixon had been there, too.

A day later, Kenney called the Western Standard’s story “a fabrication from beginning to end.” His lawyers said it was “unsubstantiated gossip.” They demanded the Western Standard remove the article and related tweets, and issue a written retraction and apology.

Derek Fildebrandt, publisher and former leader of the Freedom Conservative Party, told CTV News Edmonton in an emailed statement on June 9, “The Western Standard stands by its story. Our reporters did their due diligence in cross-verifying sources.”

However, he fully retracted the stories on Thursday and apologized to Kenney, Nixon and Shandro.

“For our story, the Western Standard depended on multiple unnamed sources,” Fildebrandt said. “While those sources are known to the Western Standard, we were unable to appropriately corroborate our sources’ claims. What’s more, we did not provide the subjects of our story a proper opportunity to respond to serious allegations. Our story should not have been published under these circumstances. We take sole responsibility for this,” Fildebrandt said.

EDMONTON — Albertans who received their COVID-19 vaccine in April or earlier are now eligible to book their second-dose appointment, the premier announced Thursday as the province moved to the next stage of reopening.

“Welcome to Stage 2 Alberta,” Premier Jason Kenney said. “We are so much closer to a post-pandemic reality.

“This is an exciting time for our province as we move into the last phase of this brutal pandemic.”

The threshold to reach Stage 2 requires 60 per cent of Albertans aged 12 or older receiving their first vaccine dose and fewer that 500 hospitalizations. Under the new restrictions, outdoor gatherings up to 20 people are permitted, gyms and fitness studios can open, and restaurants may resume indoor dining with a maximum of six people per table.

The province reported 178 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday after completing about 5,500 tests. The provincial positivity rate is now 3.3 per cent.

There are 3,810 active cases and 306 patients with COVID-19 in hospital, including 81 in ICU.

The premier said these numbers represent a 31 per cent decrease in hospitalizations since Stage 1 began.

The provincial R value, which helps demonstrate if COVID-19 is spreading, remains below one meaning community transmission is slowing.

Six more deaths from COVID-19 were reported Thursday, including:

• Edmonton zone: a man in his 60s and a woman in her 90s. Both deaths had no known comorbidities.
• North zone: a man in his 40s with no known comorbidities and a man in his 70s with comorbidities.
• South zone: a man in his 60s with comorbidities.
• Calgary zone: a women in her 70s with comorbidities. 

“This encouraging trend is important to maintain,” Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said. “As we move into Stage 2 today, it remains critical for all of us to follow all of the public health measures that are currently in place.”

According to the premier, Stage 2 keeps strong public health measures in place to keep case counts low as more people get immunity from vaccines.

“I’d like to again offer my thanks to every Albertan who has taken the step to get vaccinated,” Kenney said. “You’ve chosen to protect not only yourself but those around you and really to protect our whole province.”

SECOND DOSE DELIVERY RAMP-UP

According to the premier, the ramp up in vaccine bookings means another 650,000 Albertans can start booking immunization appointments.

“We have made remarkable progress,” Kenney said. Albertans have worked incredibly hard to crush the spike and get vaccinated against COVID-19. But we still have work to do.”

“Albertans need to continue to sign up, show up and follow up for all first and second doses so we can finally put this pandemic behind us.”

SNOWBIRDS ASKED TO SUBMIT VACCINE RECORDS 

Albertans who received their COVID-19 vaccinations outside of Canada or Alberta are being asked to submit their immunization records to Alberta Health Services (AHS).

Anyone who received a first, second, or both doses outside of Alberta can bring their vaccination records to any of the 141 AHS immunization clinics throughout the province to update their medical records and ensure their vaccination status is included in the province’s overall vaccine tally.

“I am pleased that there are many Albertans who made the choice to be vaccinated while vacationing away from home,” said Tyler Shandro, minister of health.

“We are determined to make sure that every Albertan, no matter where they were vaccinated, is able to access their records via their MyHealth Records account.”

Tyler Shandro, minister of health, said Alberta leads the country for the number of fully vaccinated people.

Approximately 16 per cent of Albertans aged 12 or over are fully vaccinated while the national average is about 11 per cent overall.

“We are the highest of the four largest provinces by a wide margin,” Shandro said. “Now we are taking another step forward.”

For those who received an AstraZeneca vaccine as their first dose, Shandro said the decision on what second dose vaccine to receive is “your choice.”

“We recommend you wait eight weeks though from your first dose, and it’s your choice whether you book a second dose of AstraZeneca, or whether you choose a second dose of one of the two mRNA vaccines.” 

VACCINE MISINFORMATION

The premier spoke to Albertans who believe they do not need to be vaccinated because everyone else around them is receiving immunity from vaccines.

“That is not the Alberta way,” he said. “To let others determine our destiny.

“Our opening is not guaranteed, Alberta. We need to continue getting first doses into arms if we want to reach Stage 3 and full openness.” 

INCENTIVES FOR VACCINES?

Kenney was asked if Alberta had made a decision on offering vaccine incentives to help drive immunization uptake.

The premier said Shandro would be presenting options to cabinet next Monday.

“We’re at the point now where we really have to start shaking the trees on for that first dose demand,” Kenney said. “We haven’t made final decisions but we’re giving it a serious look.”

Hinshaw clarified that if there is any incentive offered it would take into account all Albertans who have already received their vaccination.

“You are going to be eligible if a lottery goes ahead so don’t wait to take the opportunity you have right now (to get vaccinated),” she said.

In May, the premier said the province was exploring the option of offering incentives for those who got vaccinated.

Several businesses in Alberta have offered perks, discounts, free food or beverages for those who have been immunized against COVID-19. The University of Lethbridge created a contest to grant free tuition to nine lucky vaccinated students.

EDMONTON — Over 500 Edmontonians craving authentic Montreal bagels and smoked salmon got their fill while also supporting a local Jewish youth organization.

Vehicles started lining up in west Edmonton before 5 p.m. Tuesday with customers eager to pick up their orders.

“BBYO Bagels for Breakfast is a fundraiser for B’nai B’rith youth,” said fundraising chair Tamara Vineberg.

“It’s to support youth leadership and lower costs for Jewish youth programming.”

The bagels from St. Viateur, a popular Montreal bakery, were flown to Edmonton on Tuesday.

The smoked salmon came from Sgambaro’s, and Edmonton-based seafood business.

The Jewish youth group selling the food raised more than $14,000 this year.

In total more than 17,000 bagels and 292 packages of smoked salmon were purchased.

Organizers say this is a record amount of bagels shipped from Montreal to Edmonton at one time.​

EDMONTON — Wednesday was the first day of an Alberta Health Service’s (AHS) initiative meant to rally Edmontonians who have yet to receive their first COVID-19 vaccine doses.

As Alberta closes in on its goal to distribute first doses to 70 per cent of its population, the province has slipped down to tenth place in the country for first shots received.

Government of Alberta statistics show as of Tuesday 67.2 per cent of Albertans over 12 years old have received a first dose. https://www.alberta.ca/stats/covid-19-alberta-statistics.htm#immunizations 

Now, a new push from AHS will allow anyone aged 12 or older who hasn’t received their first shot to show up to the EXPO Centre, from Wednesday to Friday, to get a dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

According to one AHS official, with roughly 30 vaccinations every hour, so far the so-called vaccine blitz is going well.

“If we do 30 an hour it’s probably 250 people for the day,” Selene Tash, executive director for AHS community health services, told CTV News Edmonton from outside the EXPO Centre. “That’s 250 more people immunized with their first doses.”

“We were preparing for 100 to 200 walk-ins for the day, so we’ve got the staffing and we can accommodate it,” added Tash.

According to AHS,168 people showed up for the first day of its vaccine blitz.

Tash says while the Edmonton EXPO Centre is capable of accommodating up to 6,000 vaccinations a day, that’s not happening right now.

“We’re doing one to 2,000 immunizations here today,” she said.

That number includes people with appointments for second doses. 

The AHS official said she expects there may be other vaccine blitzes to come.

“I think it’s gone really well,” said Tash. “From a walk-in point of view, we’re always looking at the best way to get Albertans out.”

WHY THE WAIT?

CTV News Edmonton spoke with people showing up for their first doses on Wednesday, and found there were a variety of reasons they had waited.

“I was undecided,” said Josephine Kasasa.

Some may have been giving in to peer pressure after being originally unsure.

“My fiance got the vaccine, he’s doing OK, so that changed my mind,” said Haja Kamara, “and a few friends also got the vaccine so that changed my mind too.”

“All my colleagues have had it. I feel that I should have it too so that I will be able to protect myself and others.”

One man said he’d had trouble with the online booking system.

“Registered at some shop or grocery store, and then I haven’t heard nothing,” Andre Audette said. “I checked the computer, my email, nobody calls, no nothing.”

According to AHS, the pace of first dose distribution has slowed over the past week, a trend that includes Edmonton. 

“I think we’re pretty comparable,” said Tash, “and we certainly work together across the province to make sure that Albertans – where they want to get immunized, they’re able to get immunized.”

Right now, the following 20 Alberta communities are also offering a walk-in option:

• Brooks 
• Calgary 
• Camrose 
• Drayton Valley 
• Drumheller 
• Edmonton 
• Fort Macleod 
• Fort McMurray 
• Grande Prairie 
• High Level 
• Lethbridge 
• Magrath 
• Medicine Hat 
• Raymond 
• Red Deer 
• Rocky Mountain House 
• Stettler 
• Taber 
• Vegreville
• Wainwright 

Full details on locations, dates and times for the walk-in vaccinations are available online.

The AHS vaccine blitz continues at the EXPO Centre on Thursday from 12:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., then again on Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.