Finance Minister defends budget during visit to Calgary
Posted Mar 3, 2020 7:00 am.
Last Updated Mar 3, 2020 8:06 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CALGARY (CityNews) – Highlighting the need to reduce spending, Alberta’s Finance Minister defends his budget and the impact it could have on public services while doctors warn of widespread impact to health care.
“We’re reducing spending, but not in a draconian way,” said Travis Toews while speaking at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce Monday. “We spend $3.6 billion more on a per-person basis than the average of Ontario, Quebec and BC and that’s in health care alone.”
However, NDP critic for energy Irfan Sabir disagrees with Toews’ logic.
“They’re making changes that will erode public health care and people’s confidence in public health care over time.”
A letter signed by 120 emergency room doctors to the province warns compensation changes for physicians will lead to a flood of patients to the ER.
It’s part of a full-court press with public sector protests over the weekend and an online petition asking the province to come back to the table.
There are also threats of doctors leaving the province suggesting even confirmed recruits are pulling out.
A family practice in Drayton Valley tweeted Sunday saying “due to the current health care cuts the two physicians that were being recruited to cover Breton clinic and long term care have decided to no longer take the positions.”
Premier Jason Kenney says there shouldn’t be any uncertainty for the future of doctors in Alberta as last week’s budget underscored they’re maintaining the budget for physician compensation at $5.4 billion.
“The budget for physician compensation for Alberta has more than doubled in the past decade. It has continued to grow at two to three times the rate of inflation, even while the average private-sector family sees their income eight per cent lower today than it was in 2014. Average physician compensation is up markedly since 2014.”
Kenney says he implores the Alberta Medical Association and its members to work with them on a sensible compensation plan that allows them to live within the budget with no cuts but allowing greater governmental control over billables.
However, Sandip Lalli with the Calgary Chamber said it’s not as simple as cutting the public sector to help the struggling private sector.
“When somebody looks to come into a jurisdiction, they look at the whole, what is the experience for the employee and the livelihoods of the employee so yeah, businesses are keeping an eye on what it means for education and health care and all that we enjoy here.”
Toews says there are efficiencies to be had, promising any money found will be put into front line service delivery.
