Alberta's second $1M vaccine lotto prize goes to Calgarian Amie Gee
Alberta has a new millionaire, after the province announced that the second winner of the $1 million vaccine lottery was Calgarian Amie Gee.
Gee's name was drawn from more than 1.85 million eligible Albertans, according to a release issued by the province early Thursday evening.
42 other vaccinated Albertans won travel prizes donated by Air Canada, WestJet, the Rocky Mountaineer and Juniper Hotel.
“I can think of no better way to celebrate getting vaccinated (than) by planning a fantastic trip," said Alberta Premier Jason Kenney in a release.
"Thanks to our corporate partners at WestJet, Air Canada, and Rocky Mountaineer, there are now over 40 Albertans who are planning to do just that. Congratulations to Amie, and all of the other winners. I encourage Albertans who haven’t gotten their second dose to do so as soon as possible to qualify for the final draw at the end of September!”
Albertans who registered for the first two draws are automatically eligible for the third draw and don't need to re-register.
Tracey McIvor, a resident of Langdon, Alta. was the first winner, announced on July 1.
The Open For Summer lottery is just one part of helping Albertans to get vaccinated, Kenney said, in his Facebook Live appearance Wednesday night.
"We have worked with community groups in every part of the province, reaching out. We have the vaccine bus that's going around the province (and) we've worked with employers. We've tried to leave no stone unturned."
An Air Canada flight departing for Toronto, bottom, taxis to a runway as a Westjet flight bound for Palm Springs takes off at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., Friday, March 20, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
NEW VACCINE INCENTIVE
If the promise of cold, hard cash wasn't enough to get needles into the arms of Albertans, Kenney said more incentives are in the works.
"We're going to be the first province in Canada that will be rolling out a new and different incentive that will hopefully get the attention of those folks who haven't gotten around to it yet."
However, he didn't share many more details.
While the prizes are a good way to get the word out, he added that all Albertans should understand the medical evidence that shows vaccinations are the best way to defend against COVID-19 infections.
"I think we are the only province that has a specific billing code to encourage doctors to call their panel of patients who have not been vaccinated to share with them the medical information about its benefits," he said.
"The most important part of this plan is to continue to push up the vaccination numbers, we need to ensure the health capacity is there and we'll have more to say in the days to come."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING 122 active wildfires burning across Canada, 32 considered 'out of control'
The 2024 wildfire season has begun, and it's shaping up to follow last year's unprecedented destruction in kind, with thousands of square kilometres already consumed.
B.C. parents sentenced to 15 years for death of 6-year-old boy
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has sentenced the mother and stepfather of a six-year-old boy who died from blunt-force trauma in 2018 to 15 years in prison.
Veteran TSN sportscaster Darren Dutchyshen has died
Veteran TSN broadcaster Darren 'Dutch' Dutchyshen, one of Canada’s best-known sports journalists, has died. He was 57. His family says 'he passed as he was surrounded by his closest loved ones.'
Miller scores late as Canucks grind out 3-2 win over Oilers in Game 5
J.T. Miller scored in the final minute of the game and the Vancouver Canucks came back for a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series Thursday.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
Police issue Canada-wide warrant for Regina homicide suspect
Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a man wanted in a homicide which occurred in Regina on May 12.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
Kevin Spacey receives star support as he fights to get his career back
Kevin Spacey is pushing back on the 'rush to judgment' against him and is being backed by some big names as he seeks to reclaim his acting career.
Speaker cuts ties with Sask. Party, alleges he faced threats, harassment from gov't MLAs
The Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislature Randy Weekes has severed ties with the Sask. Party after accusing some members of harassment and intimidation tactics, including a situation he claimed saw the Government House Leader bring a hunting rifle to the legislative building.