A member of the Chinook Health Region is under fire for taking out a newspaper ad endorsing a Conservative candidate in the Alberta election, CBC News has learned.
Donna Bier, who sits on the health board that serves southwestern Alberta, placed the ad in the Lethbridge Herald on Feb. 24 and 25, encouraging people in the riding of Lethbridge-East to vote for the Tory candidate, Jason Herasemluk.
Donna Bier placed the ad endorsing a Tory candidate in the Lethbridge Herald on Feb. 24 and 25.
(CBC)
"As a board member with the Chinook Health Region, I have become very aware that there are great challenges in providing Albertans good quality health care," reads the ad that features Bier's photo and the PC Alberta logo.
"I have seen first hand, that the Progressive Conservative government is best able to meet those challenges."
Bier unsuccessfully sought the Tory nomination in Lethbridge-East last fall.
Linda Ripley, a retired licenced practical nurse who lives in Fort Macleod, was troubled by the ad. She said it erodes democracy when politically-appointed people like health board members try to sway voters.
"I think she should probably apologize to the voters of Lethbridge-East for taking out that ad … under the auspices of being a board member of the Chinook Health Region," she told CBC News.
Up to health minister: board chair
Jack Ady, chair of the board, said disciplining Bier would be up to the health minister, but he said he felt the ad was inappropriate.
"I don't think that an appointed board should be taking a political position," said Ady Tuesday.
"It was fine if Mrs. Bier wanted to do an advertisement on her own but to identify herself as a member of the Chinook Health Region board I think is inappropriate."
Bier could not be reached for comment; Ady said she is on vacation.
When asked about the ads, Conservative Leader Ed Stelmach said: "I haven't heard about it or seen it but every Albertan, other than judges, are independent and can vote the way they see fit."
The health region took out its own public notice in the newspaper Tuesday, apologizing for Bier's ad.
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