Rodeo competitors, workers given quarantine exemption after crossing border for Calgary Stampede
Rodeo competitors, workers given quarantine exemption after crossing border for Calgary Stampede

Rodeo competitors, support staff and workers coming to the Calgary Stampede have been granted an exemption from having to quarantine at a government-approved hotel after crossing the Canada-U.S. border.
Instead, they will undergo a modified quarantine and follow local and provincial guidelines.
Calling it "great news," Premier Jason Kenney announced the exemption on social media Friday morning, posting a letter from Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino.
The exemption applies to "professional rodeo participants and select support staff and workers (participants and workers) for a one-time entry into Canada" to take part in this year's Stampede, which runs July 9-18 in Calgary.
"This exemption is granted on the basis of my determination that the release of these individuals from the quarantine and COVID-19 testing in Canada is in the national interest, particularly based on the importance of sports for Canada's society and economy," wrote Mendicino.
The exemption comes after a review of protocols submitted by Stampede officials and an assessment by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) on May 28.
Those protocols include:
- Capacity to test, trace and isolate any cases of COVID-19;
- Compliance with local and provincial health guidelines;
- Implementation of a modified quarantine upon entry into Canada;
- A dedicated compliance officer to monitor the modified quarantine, and;
- Penalties for non-compliance.
Failure to comply will mean a loss of exemption for the individual, forcing them to enter the usual quarantine and testing program.
“Like Alberta itself, the Stampede has persevered through floods, fires, and much more. However, last year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was impossible to have people gather safely. Now, with vaccines on our side and Albertans lining up to get protected, we can add a global pandemic to the many obstacles the Stampede has overcome," Kenney said in a statement.
“We are also closing in on the 70 per cent threshold for Stage 3 of Alberta’s Open For Summer Plan that will end the public health restrictions.
“If you have not booked your first dose, please sign up today so we can all have a truly great Alberta summer at the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth."
Alberta is currently in Phase 2 of its reopening plan, with indoor dining now allowed, along with outdoor groups up to 20 people. Festivals and events of up to 150 people are also allowed.
The province will move to Stage 3, when all health measures will be removed, two weeks after reaching 70 per cent vaccination among eligible Albertans.
The latest data from the province says 67.8 per cent of those eligible have received a first dose.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Economists predict a 'mild recession,' but what would that look like in Canada?
With inflation on the rise and central banks poised to increase rates, CTVNews.ca speaks with experts on whether Canada will experience a recession, and if so, what it would look like.

Medical investigator rules Baldwin set shooting an accident
The fatal film-set shooting of a cinematographer by actor Alec Baldwin last year was an accident, according to a determination made by New Mexico's Office of the Medical Investigator following the completion of an autopsy and a review of law enforcement reports.
'We've been abandoned': Man dies in B.C. town waiting for health care near ambulance station
For the second time in less than a month, a resident of Ashcroft, B.C., died while waiting for health care after having a heart attack mere metres from a local ambulance station.
'I have to fight for myself': Quadriplegic man says N.S. government told him to live in a hospital
A diving accident at 14-years-old left Brian Parker paralyzed from the chest down. Now at age 49, he's without the person who was caring for him full-time until just last week, after his 68-year-old mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Minister asks Canadians not to fake travel plans to skip passport application lines
Minister of Families, Children and Social Development of Canada Karina Gould is discouraging people from making fake travel plans just to skip the line of those waiting for passports.
Canadian home sales fall for 5th month in a row, down 29 per cent from last July
Canada's average resale home price fell 4.5% from a year ago in July and was down 5.4% on the month as buyers continued to sit on the sidelines amid rising borrowing costs.
Wet'suwet'en pipeline protest blocks Vancouver traffic
A large rally planned in Vancouver to protest the Coastal GasLink pipeline in northern B.C. blocked traffic Monday morning.
Thousands of Afghans who helped Canada trapped in Afghanistan, struggling to leave
The federal government needs to do more to help thousands of Afghans who assisted Canadian Forces but remain trapped in Afghanistan a year after the Taliban seized Kabul, aid groups and opposition parties say.
New COVID-19 booster targeting Omicron, original variants approved in U.K.
British drug regulators have become the first in the world to authorize an updated version of Moderna's coronavirus vaccine that aims to protect against the original virus and the omicron variant.