The province has signed an agreement with Montana to give COVID-19 shots to truckers when they cross the Canada U.S border.
Premier Jason Kenney making the announcement Friday morning along with Transportation Minister, Ric McIver, and President of Alberta Motor Transport, Chris Nash.
Kenney says the agreement will support the supply chain during the rest of the pandemic adding there will be no cost to Alberta and truckers will get surplus shots from the Montana government.
About 2,000 truckers will be eligible through this program and Montana will give the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine for greater ease. No appointments will be needed.
“We’re doing everything we can to get a vaccine into Albertans’ arms as fast as possible, including by forging this innovative agreement with Montana. We are very grateful to Montana Governor Gianforte for the generous donation of vaccines to protect our truckers. Alberta depends on trade with our American neighbours and this program will ensure our goods get to market while stopping the spike of COVID-19,” said Premier Jason Kenney.
This deal is similar to the ones between the province of Saskatchewan and Manitoba with the government of North Dakota.
Kenney says this is similar to agreements between Manitoba and Saskatchewan with the government of North Dakota.
— Tom Ross (@Tommy_Slick) May 7, 2021
“Truckers have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to keep our goods moving and shelves stocked. This agreement with our American neighbours will help us protect Alberta truckers who cross the border while vaccinating as many Albertans as quickly as we can,” said Minister of Transportation, Ric McIver.
On the vaccine front in Alberta, eligibility opened for more people on Thursday where now anyone over the age of 30 is eligible for the jab.
One hundred and thirty thousand appointments were booked for shots on the first day according to the premier.
Nash says this agreement proves collaboration has helped truckers recover through the pandemic and it keeps essential workers safe.
Final speaker today is Chris Nash, president of the Alberta Motor Transport Association. Says this agreement proves collaboration has helped them recover through the pandemic, and this keeps essential workers safe.
— Tom Ross (@Tommy_Slick) May 7, 2021
“Alberta’s commercial transportation drivers have shown a steadfast commitment to their fellow Canadians and Americans. In the last year, they have bravely put themselves at risk of infection by working both sides of the Canada-U.S. border. The Alberta Motor Transport Association is indebted to the Alberta government, the Motor Carriers of Montana and the Governor of Montana. We are proud to share their commitment to cooperation and safeguarding those helping build a more resilient supply chain and supporting the communities and economies of our two great countries,” said Nash.
As of right now, there are an estimated 2,000 doses of the vaccine available to truckers and Kenney says they will go back to the Montana government and there will be a ton of excess doses. Kenney is hopeful Montana will expand the program.
