PrintUNA Calgary office closed, many health facilities affected by southern Alberta flooding
UNA’s Calgary office, located in a low-lying area affected by floods that have impacted the entire city and many communities throughout southern Alberta, is closed today.
UNA members in affected areas who need the assistance of a labour relations advisor should call the province-wide toll-free number, 1-800-252-9394.
Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi has asked citizens to stay out of the city’s flooded downtown today, and more than 100,000 Calgarians have been evacuated from their homes.
As rain-swollen rivers burst their banks across southern Alberta on yesterday, more than a dozen towns declared states of emergency, with entire communities including High River and Bragg Creek under mandatory evacuation orders, and the impact being felt as far away as British Columbia.
UNA has prepared a Spotlight for members on the effect of Article 44 of the Provincial Collective Agreement, which allows an employer to assign employees to work at any site to provide assistance in emergency circumstances.
According to Alberta Health Services, as of this morning five Alberta hospitals and other facilities have been seriously impacted by the flooding:
- Canmore General Hospital, open, but with some roadways to the facility blocked
- High River Hospital, Emergency Department closed, roads inaccessible
- Holy Cross Hospital, Calgary, under mandatory evacuation order, closed until further notice
- Sheldon M. Chumir Urgent Care Centre, closed until further notice
- Sundre Hospital, Emergency department open, acute care and long-term care patients transferred to Olds and Innisfail
AHS advises people in affected areas to get updates from time to time from the Alberta government’s emergency alert website.
