Alberta — long known as Canada’s central hub for both beef and oil —  has seen both those industries slammed with economic troubles since the COVID-19 crisis began. 

On April 20, U.S. oil futures prices fell into negative territory for the first time in history, because storage tanks are nearly full and refineries are reducing output amid slow economic activity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

And on the same day, Cargill Inc.’s High River, Alta., meat-packing plant announced it would be temporarily shuttering operations,  after a worker died from the coronavirus and hundreds of other employees tested positive. 

The provincial government released details of its relaunch strategy Thursday in regards to a plan to re-open some medical services, parks, golf courses and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is a phased approach, with the start date of each subsequent phase based on the success of the phase before it.

If COVID-19 hospitalizations remain stable, it will see scheduled surgeries resume May 4 — along with some health services like dental — and restaurants open at half capacity on May 14.

 Some of the early steps will begin on May 1, others on May 4. 

Small business owners reeling from the impacts of COVID-19 say their very survival is in jeopardy if commercial landlords don’t step up with rent deferrals.

Annie Dormuth, Alberta director for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, said landlords should be providing flexibility and forgiveness to small business tenants who are experiencing serious cash flow difficulties right now, or have zero cash flow altogether. 

From restaurants to retail shops to nail salons, many small businesses have seen their customers vanish and their revenue dry up as Calgary and the rest of Canada shut down in an effort to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.