| Premier Ralph Klein promised Albertans his government would consult citizens before moving forward on its so-called "third way" health care reforms. But now opposition leaders say it looks like the provincial government will push forward its reforms without keeping that promise.
After giving a speech introducing the "third way" on January 11, 2005, the premier said, "We’ll keep Albertans informed every step of the way. I’ve said in the past that we will consult with Albertans and we will."
However, on January 26 of this year, Conservative caucus unanimously approved a plan to proceed with controversial health care reforms. Klein stated that the Conservatives would introduce a new Health Assurance Act that would replace the province’s existing health care legislation in the legislative session this spring.
The Liberals and NDP are also calling on the new federal Conservative government to uphold the principles of the Canada Health Act and prevent the Alberta government from taking any action that would violate it, which they say Prime Minister Stephen Harper promised to do in the election campaign.
Klein told the media that plans would include allowing doctors to work in both the public and private systems, which is currently prohibited under Alberta legislation, and may allow Albertans to purchase private insurance to pay for non-emergency medical procedures. He also stated that the new plan may violate the Canada Health Act.
That has opposition politicians questioning where the government’s promise went.
"The premier has previously committed to full public consultation before bringing forward any big changes to the health care system and it looks like he’s going to betray that commitment," says Liberal Leader Kevin Taft. "It’s a premise of democracy that governments pay attention to voters. The premier made a promise and he should be as good as his word."
NDP MLA Raj Pannu says Albertans should be demanding to know when the promised consultation is happening.
"This government breaks its promises with impunity. They have reneged arrogantly on the promise that they made to Albertans to consult them," he says. "Albertans have every right to know… what the government plans to do with the future of the public health care system that Albertans, in very large number, support and want protected. For this government to completely shut out the public of Alberta, the people of Alberta, who in fact are the owners of the system, is extremely worrisome."
Fast Forward requested an interview with Health and Wellness Minister Iris Evans, but was told she was unavailable.
"There’s some pretty high level meetings going on right now and she’s not doing a lot of media," says Health and Wellness spokesperson Howard May.
When asked whether the government is going to proceed with the promised consultation, May said, "No," adding that the government has already consulted Albertans. |
Copyright ©2006 FFWD. All rights reserved.