The Calgary Health Region's request for more provincial funding to ease hospital wait times has thrust health care into the Alberta election campaign spotlight.
Jack Davis, the region's CEO, said Calgary's hospitals need an immediate injection of $115 million from the province to avoid situations like the one on the long weekend that saw some patients wait nearly 24 hours for an ER bed.
NDP Leader Brian Mason said the province has more than enough money to cover the funding appeal by the Calgary Health Region.
(CBC)
The region has a projected deficit of $85 million and needs the money to pay staff overtime so more beds can be opened, Davis said Tuesday.
At a campaign stop in Edmonton on Wednesday, NDP Leader Brian Mason said with the Alberta budget surplus now at $4.2 billion, the province could easily cover the request.
"I'd give them the money, but then we would need to sit down and make a plan," said Mason. "[Davis is] talking about closing the health-care system in Calgary in March if they don't get more money. They'll run out of money. So clearly, that's an issue that cannot be ignored."
Tory Leader Ed Stelmach speaks to reporters Wednesday in Calgary.
(CBC)
At a hastily-called news conference, Tory Leader Ed Stelmach promised little in response to Davis's appeal.
"All staff will be paid and ... health-care services in Calgary will not be compromised," Stelmach said Wednesday afternoon. Health Minister Dave Hancock has previously said the health region must come up with its own deficit-reduction plan.
Mason said it was ironic that Davis is sounding the alarm because he was a key player in the Ralph Klein government when it closed several Calgary hospitals in the '90s.
"Well, Jack Davis is a pretty politically smart guy. He knows how the game is played, and I think he's playing it effectively for what he sees as the needs of Calgarians, and he's right," said Liberal Leader Kevin Taft, standing outside what used to be the Holy Cross Hospital, one of the victims of Klein's budget cuts.
Liberal Leader Kevin Taft held a news conference in front of Calgary's former Holy Cross Hospital.
(CBC)
"This is the wealthiest city in one of the wealthiest countries in the world. How is it that there are fewer hospitals and fewer hospital beds in Calgary today than 10 years ago? It's scandalous," said Taft.
The Liberal leader said if elected, his government would immediately build a new cancer facility in Calgary.
The Conservative government had also promised to build a similar centre, but Taft said it has been put on the backburner in favour of other priorities, including building a horse-racing track north of the city.
The provincial election is March 3.
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More Alberta Votes Headlines »
- It's 'Ed's Empire' after Alberta election sweep
- Political observers in Alberta are calling it remarkable and opposition politicians are wondering what hit them after Ed Stelmach guided his Conservative party Monday to one of its biggest majorities ever.
- Low voter turnout in Alberta election being questioned
- As Premier Ed Stelmach and Alberta Conservatives savour their sweeping election victory, some people are raising a nagging concern: why so few people bothered to vote.
- Albertans elect historic 11th straight Tory government
- Voters in Alberta stuck with tried-and-true blue, giving the Progressive Conservative party an unprecedented 11th consecutive majority government in Monday's provincial election.
- Political tide turns in Edmonton
- Alberta Progressive Conservative Leader Ed Stelmach has proven true to his word, putting the "Ed" back in Edmonton.
- Conservatives' Calgary fortress resists change
- The Progressive Conservatives' fortress in Calgary stood strong as the party took 18 of the city's 23 ridings Monday night.
