Albertans in Calgary, Edmonton rally against healthcare privatization
Posted Apr 6, 2022 8:04 pm.
Last Updated Apr 6, 2022 9:28 pm.
Albertans rallied today to protect public healthcare and with concerns of privatization growing, the NDP called for the decision to be left to Albertans in the next election.
They’re not going to be able to help the privileged few and make a profit out of our healthcare system, we are going to keep it for the people of Alberta.
At McDougall Centre, Albertans rallied for the UCP to end their push for policies that could ultimately end up with more privatization of the healthcare system.
“We’re not going to let that happen,” cheers the ongoing crowd.
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Rory Gill, president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) said, “People in Calgary, people in Edmonton, right across the province, are going to fight back and keep their public healthcare system.
Protecting our province points to a list of changes by the UCP like caretaker workers being sourced to private companies, and increasing the number of surgeries in private clinics.
Lorian Hardcastle, associate professor at the University of Calgary, health law and policy said, “Certainly there seems to be a shift towards private delivery and also greater corporatization in the healthcare system.
“So for example, with the adoption of virtual care and Telus Babylon there does seem to be a shift for more of a role for for-profit corporations,” added Hardcastle.
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Mike Parker, president of the Health Sciences Association Of Alberta The UCP is giving away 100s millions of dollars to private companies to do surgeries, while our system remains unfunded.
Parker says removing the former president and CEO of Alberta Health Services Dr. Verna Yiu was directly correlated to further privatization.
“The future of the public system is dire and this UCP is hell-bent on getting as much public money into private hands as possible and removing obstacles is part of the plan,” says Parker.
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NDP MLAs were present at the protest and MLA and justice critic Irfan Shabir spoke out about Yiu’s departure calling for her to speak publicly.
“If there is any nondisclosure, UCP should lift that and let Dr. Yiu speak,” says Shabir.
NDP Leader Rachael Notley says these decisions should be left to Albertans.
“And put it on the ballot with honesty, so that Albertans can make the choice to put our plan against their plan in the next election and let Albertans decide,” says Notley.
