Final answer:
The COVID-19 pandemic led to operational changes in slaughterhouses in Alberta, including reduced workforce and modifications in processing due to safety protocols, which likely decreased their capacity per shift.
Step-by-step explanation:
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered the way many industries operate, including slaughterhouses in Alberta. The pandemic caused widespread shutdowns and introduced supply chain challenges that led to reduced capacity and increased product prices. Specifically, for a slaughterhouse, operational changes would have likely included a reduction in workforce to adhere to physical distancing measures, implementation of health and safety protocols to protect employees, and possibly adjustments in processing practices to accommodate shifts in supply and demand. Consequently, these changes may have resulted in a lowered capacity per shift due to the need for fewer employees on the floor at one time and reconfigured processes to ensure safety. Without specific data on the Alberta slaughterhouse's before and after capacities, it's not possible to provide the new capacity per shift. However, it is reasonable to assume there was a reduction constraint by safety measures.