Premier Alison Redford renewed vows for a public inquiry in the wake of a damning health report, just as critics blasted her with charges she’s “waffling” from earlier promises.
Redford said she’ll make good on her pledge for a public, judicial inquiry into allegations of political interference in the health system by granting additional powers to Health Quality Council of Alberta, which revealed a culture of fear among Alberta doctors.
Redford said she wanted all along to have a judge-led inquiry into further issues, such as accusations of MLAs jumping health wait lists.
While she wants to wait for the HQCA’s final findings, she said new legislation will be introduced in the fall session to make the council independent with more power.
“We’re going to create legislation to allow the Health Quality Council to call that inquiry with full powers of a public inquiry, a judicial inquiry, the ability to have a judge-led inquiry to compel witnesses and that’s really what a judicial inquiry is about so that becomes the next step,” she said Saturday.
It will be up to whomever heads the inquiry how much of it will be public but it must be independent, she added.
But Alberta Liberal leader Raj Sherman, whose claim that 250 lung cancer patients on a list of 1,200 died while waiting for surgery was part of the HQCA investigation, said the issues need to be addressed in an open court.
“There has to be some accountability, this is a closed-door process, behind the scenes,” he said.
“So the premier is waffling and backtracking — they don’t want this out in the public.”
He said the HQCA should report independently to the legislative assembly about other matters for quality assurance, but with respect to the cancer issue, it doesn’t need special powers.
“We have something called the Public Inquiries Act, I see no reason why they are trying to do new legislation to address the cancer issue,” he said.
“We have a Public Inquiries Act, call a public inquiry.”
Sherman said HQCA head Dr. John Cowell wasn’t able to find evidence of the cancer patient claims because some doctors with the information will not testify unless they are legally protected.
“They are ready to testify but want to do it in an open manner — they don’t trust the HQCA process because of relationships that they have with AHS,” he said.
David Eggen, executive director of Friends of Medicare, said Redford’s plan to give the HQCA new powers is not keeping her promise.
“She promised an independent judicial inquiry, she is going to try to create some made up version of that,” he said.
“She is a lawyer, she knows what a public inquiry should be — you can’t just cobble it together from some council she has already.”
katie.schneider@sunmedia.ca
On Twitter: @SUNkschneider
Monday, October 31, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Redford's change agenda put to test
By Don Braid, Calgary Herald October 28, 2011
The Health Quality Council of Alberta tells us many things we already knew (wow, long ER wait times!) but some we didn't. And those matters reinforce the absolute need for a full judicial inquiry into health care.
Dr. John Cowell, head of HQCA, wasn't able to find a list of patients waiting for lung cancer surgery - the one Dr. Raj Sherman claimed contained 1,200 patients, 250 of whom he insisted had died before getting surgery.
Cowell does say that there may be such a list. But he seems to lack authority to pursue it further.
Cowell also said AHS has been very co-operative; and yet, three players he wanted to interview haven't responded.
He identifies what can only be called a culture of intimidation, in which doctors who advocated for patients were sometimes punished. "Disturbing," he calls it.
The HQCA has done some good work here. This body is excellent at finding the technical problems in health care. Cowell himself appears to be a fearless fellow.
But he doesn't have the tools to get to the heart of the matter; and never will, one suspects, even if the province beefs up the HQCA mandate.
His interim report doesn't even deal with a key recent allegation, Dr. Stephen Duckett's charge that the "political class" in Alberta got better access to health care.
Such suspicions have always lurked around the edges of the system, for good reason.
This week, an ex-minister told me that when his mother was very ill, the chair of a health region asked him if he wanted her care speeded up.
This former minister said he refused because that wasn't right; also, his family believed his mother was already getting good care.
Stories like that - this one true, I'm convinced - can only come out through a judicial inquiry run by a judge with power to subpoena witnesses, swear them in, and make them testify.
At a judicial inquiry, the list of witnesses might be very interesting.
Former premier Ed Stelmach could be called. On Thursday, Cowell said Stelmach did not appoint an "expert panel" that he had promised doctors in 2008.
Current Health Minister Fred Horne could find himself on the stand. So might his two predecessors, Gene Zwozdesky and Ron Liepert.
You can see why many PCs are not keen on this.
And yet, the most compelling call for an inquiry yet came from the new premier, Alison Redford, during the PC leadership campaign.
She did that in June after ex-CEO Duckett made his allegation about privileged access.
Now Redford seems to be sliding away from her pledge. This week, she and Horne began referring to a "fully independent inquiry."
Cowell confirmed Thursday he's talked to Horne about extra powers for HQCA so it could conduct a deeper investigation.
But that would not be the judicial inquiry Redford promised. It wouldn't be the pledge that so annoyed Stelmach that he said she was talking like New Democrats and Liberals.
Here's exactly what Redford said June 7 in a news release called: "Alison Redford calls for Judicial Inquiry."
"Alison Redford, in light of growing accusations of political interference in the health-care system, has called for a judicial inquiry.
"The inquiry will focus on charges of political interference into the provincial health-care system.
"Dr. Duckett . . . stated outright that before his tenure as CEO of AHS, people of the 'political class' were accustomed to being granted higher access in the system than those who were not as connected.
"This statement, when combined with earlier allegations of a culture of intimidation, has provided the impetus to call for an independent inquiry."
The goal, Redford said, was to "increase access for all Albertans. Not Albertans with the right friends."
Redford made a clear, specific promise about health care.
Many of her MLAs don't like it.
But if she's really the boss, she has to keep that promise. There's no clearer test of her vow to change the way government works.
Don Braid's column appears regularly in the Herald dbraid@CalgaryHerald.com
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald
By Don Braid, Calgary Herald October 28, 2011
The Health Quality Council of Alberta tells us many things we already knew (wow, long ER wait times!) but some we didn't. And those matters reinforce the absolute need for a full judicial inquiry into health care.
Dr. John Cowell, head of HQCA, wasn't able to find a list of patients waiting for lung cancer surgery - the one Dr. Raj Sherman claimed contained 1,200 patients, 250 of whom he insisted had died before getting surgery.
Cowell does say that there may be such a list. But he seems to lack authority to pursue it further.
Cowell also said AHS has been very co-operative; and yet, three players he wanted to interview haven't responded.
He identifies what can only be called a culture of intimidation, in which doctors who advocated for patients were sometimes punished. "Disturbing," he calls it.
The HQCA has done some good work here. This body is excellent at finding the technical problems in health care. Cowell himself appears to be a fearless fellow.
But he doesn't have the tools to get to the heart of the matter; and never will, one suspects, even if the province beefs up the HQCA mandate.
His interim report doesn't even deal with a key recent allegation, Dr. Stephen Duckett's charge that the "political class" in Alberta got better access to health care.
Such suspicions have always lurked around the edges of the system, for good reason.
This week, an ex-minister told me that when his mother was very ill, the chair of a health region asked him if he wanted her care speeded up.
This former minister said he refused because that wasn't right; also, his family believed his mother was already getting good care.
Stories like that - this one true, I'm convinced - can only come out through a judicial inquiry run by a judge with power to subpoena witnesses, swear them in, and make them testify.
At a judicial inquiry, the list of witnesses might be very interesting.
Former premier Ed Stelmach could be called. On Thursday, Cowell said Stelmach did not appoint an "expert panel" that he had promised doctors in 2008.
Current Health Minister Fred Horne could find himself on the stand. So might his two predecessors, Gene Zwozdesky and Ron Liepert.
You can see why many PCs are not keen on this.
And yet, the most compelling call for an inquiry yet came from the new premier, Alison Redford, during the PC leadership campaign.
She did that in June after ex-CEO Duckett made his allegation about privileged access.
Now Redford seems to be sliding away from her pledge. This week, she and Horne began referring to a "fully independent inquiry."
Cowell confirmed Thursday he's talked to Horne about extra powers for HQCA so it could conduct a deeper investigation.
But that would not be the judicial inquiry Redford promised. It wouldn't be the pledge that so annoyed Stelmach that he said she was talking like New Democrats and Liberals.
Here's exactly what Redford said June 7 in a news release called: "Alison Redford calls for Judicial Inquiry."
"Alison Redford, in light of growing accusations of political interference in the health-care system, has called for a judicial inquiry.
"The inquiry will focus on charges of political interference into the provincial health-care system.
"Dr. Duckett . . . stated outright that before his tenure as CEO of AHS, people of the 'political class' were accustomed to being granted higher access in the system than those who were not as connected.
"This statement, when combined with earlier allegations of a culture of intimidation, has provided the impetus to call for an independent inquiry."
The goal, Redford said, was to "increase access for all Albertans. Not Albertans with the right friends."
Redford made a clear, specific promise about health care.
Many of her MLAs don't like it.
But if she's really the boss, she has to keep that promise. There's no clearer test of her vow to change the way government works.
Don Braid's column appears regularly in the Herald dbraid@CalgaryHerald.com
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Groups look for Redford to bring change
Published October 6, 2011 by Lindsey Wallis in News
Redford is commended by groups such as Friends of Medicare, Calgary Arts Development and the Alberta Wilderness Association for taking time to meet with them during the campaign process. “I think she has reached out to us,” says David Eggen, the executive director of Friends of Medicare. “I hope she is sincere about keeping the lines of communication open.”
Friends of Medicare have railed against the Progressive Conservative’s handling of the health system for years and want to see an end to the privatization. “Health care in this province has taken a dramatic turn for the worse,” says Eggen. “It is time to leave behind these destructive health policies.”
Despite positive campaign promises, Eggen is somewhat wary of what Redford will bring to Alberta health care. “She was endorsing the expansion of private health contracts,” he says. “She needs to put that behind her and repudiate the previous government’s policy on private delivery of public services and make a long-term commitment to repair the damage this government has inflicted.”
Reinforcing that wariness is Redford’s recent appointment of Alberta Health Services chairman Ken Hughes as a member of her transition team. Although Hughes took a leave of absence from AHS, for Eggen the implication is clear. “We know that Alison Redford is not particularly progressive on health care and the company she keeps seems to reinforce that,” he says.
“The direction of Ken Hughes over the last two years is a manifestation of that private agenda. Alison Redford claims that he’s her friend and confidant so we can presume that she’s in line with his view on private health care.”
Friends of Medicare is waiting to see if Redford will follow through on her campaign promises, including greater access to primary care by establishing family care clinics, better continuing care for seniors and more local decision makiung. . “We can only judge her based on her actions, we’ll have to see what she actually accomplishes,” Eggen says.
The Alberta Wilderness Association will also be waiting to see what action Redford will take. “We are encouraged by some statements made publicly and in conversation with us,” says Carolyn Campbell, a conservation specialist with the AWA. “But the proof is in action and it will be much more difficult to follow through on her good intentions.”
Campbell cites Redford’s commitment to the province’s endangered species and to sustainable energy, and the promise to suspend the sale of 16,000 acres of native prairie until the South Saskatchewan Land-Use Framework is completed, as positive signals.
But Campbell notes there are contradictions in Redford’s promises, one of them to do with hydrocarbon development. In her campaign literature, Redford says: “The main issue confronting us is the environmental and social sustainability of hydrocarbon resources… it is clear that the sector’s growth rate has outpaced the government’s regulatory and enforcement capacities.” But she has also said that when it comes to hydrocarbon development it is important that Alberta increase production and keep costs low.
Despite some contradictions, Campbell looks forward to working with Redford. “We hope environmental sustainability will be more central to economic decision making than in the past,” she says. She also wants Redford to strengthen regulations and put sustainability before development. “Some of (her promises) are difficult to achieve given the legacy of Alberta’s permissive leasing and approval process. There has been too much industrial development across too much of the landscape.”
Unlike the AWA and Friends of Medicare, Terry Rock, the president and CEO of Calgary Arts Development, is not looking for radical changes from Redford. According to Rock, the biggest boost to Calgary artists will be Redford’s position on cities, which has already been applauded by Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “Having a thriving arts sector depends on the ability of cities to respond to what citizens are calling for,” Rock says.
Rock is also pleased that her policy stresses the integration of arts into communities and schools, saying it “reflects a potentially very forward-thinking approach to the role of the arts in communities — she recognizes the fundamental value of the arts.”
Rock hopes Redford will continue the Premier’s Council on Arts and Culture, allowing a direct line to the premier, and will continue to look for ways to partner with the province.
Redford declined to speak with Fast Forward Weekly for this article. To read what Redford had to say to James Wilt, visit ffwdweekly.com.
Published October 6, 2011 by Lindsey Wallis in News
Redford is commended by groups such as Friends of Medicare, Calgary Arts Development and the Alberta Wilderness Association for taking time to meet with them during the campaign process. “I think she has reached out to us,” says David Eggen, the executive director of Friends of Medicare. “I hope she is sincere about keeping the lines of communication open.”
Friends of Medicare have railed against the Progressive Conservative’s handling of the health system for years and want to see an end to the privatization. “Health care in this province has taken a dramatic turn for the worse,” says Eggen. “It is time to leave behind these destructive health policies.”
Despite positive campaign promises, Eggen is somewhat wary of what Redford will bring to Alberta health care. “She was endorsing the expansion of private health contracts,” he says. “She needs to put that behind her and repudiate the previous government’s policy on private delivery of public services and make a long-term commitment to repair the damage this government has inflicted.”
Reinforcing that wariness is Redford’s recent appointment of Alberta Health Services chairman Ken Hughes as a member of her transition team. Although Hughes took a leave of absence from AHS, for Eggen the implication is clear. “We know that Alison Redford is not particularly progressive on health care and the company she keeps seems to reinforce that,” he says.
“The direction of Ken Hughes over the last two years is a manifestation of that private agenda. Alison Redford claims that he’s her friend and confidant so we can presume that she’s in line with his view on private health care.”
Friends of Medicare is waiting to see if Redford will follow through on her campaign promises, including greater access to primary care by establishing family care clinics, better continuing care for seniors and more local decision makiung. . “We can only judge her based on her actions, we’ll have to see what she actually accomplishes,” Eggen says.
The Alberta Wilderness Association will also be waiting to see what action Redford will take. “We are encouraged by some statements made publicly and in conversation with us,” says Carolyn Campbell, a conservation specialist with the AWA. “But the proof is in action and it will be much more difficult to follow through on her good intentions.”
Campbell cites Redford’s commitment to the province’s endangered species and to sustainable energy, and the promise to suspend the sale of 16,000 acres of native prairie until the South Saskatchewan Land-Use Framework is completed, as positive signals.
But Campbell notes there are contradictions in Redford’s promises, one of them to do with hydrocarbon development. In her campaign literature, Redford says: “The main issue confronting us is the environmental and social sustainability of hydrocarbon resources… it is clear that the sector’s growth rate has outpaced the government’s regulatory and enforcement capacities.” But she has also said that when it comes to hydrocarbon development it is important that Alberta increase production and keep costs low.
Despite some contradictions, Campbell looks forward to working with Redford. “We hope environmental sustainability will be more central to economic decision making than in the past,” she says. She also wants Redford to strengthen regulations and put sustainability before development. “Some of (her promises) are difficult to achieve given the legacy of Alberta’s permissive leasing and approval process. There has been too much industrial development across too much of the landscape.”
Unlike the AWA and Friends of Medicare, Terry Rock, the president and CEO of Calgary Arts Development, is not looking for radical changes from Redford. According to Rock, the biggest boost to Calgary artists will be Redford’s position on cities, which has already been applauded by Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “Having a thriving arts sector depends on the ability of cities to respond to what citizens are calling for,” Rock says.
Rock is also pleased that her policy stresses the integration of arts into communities and schools, saying it “reflects a potentially very forward-thinking approach to the role of the arts in communities — she recognizes the fundamental value of the arts.”
Rock hopes Redford will continue the Premier’s Council on Arts and Culture, allowing a direct line to the premier, and will continue to look for ways to partner with the province.
Redford declined to speak with Fast Forward Weekly for this article. To read what Redford had to say to James Wilt, visit ffwdweekly.com.
New Alberta health minister supports private care, critics say
Fred Horne denies charges he’s the ‘architect’ of Conservative plan By Jodie Sinnema, edmontonjournal.com October 12, 2011
Premier Alison Redford announced her new cabinet at Government House in Edmonton on Oct. 12, 2011.Photograph by: Shaughn Butts, edmontonjournal.comEDMONTON - The “chief architect of privatization” has become Alberta’s health minister after years of behind-the-scenes work with former health ministers, including ones pushing the Third Way, critics charge.
But Fred Horne, who says he was excited and humbled to receive his first cabinet post under Premier Alison Redford, said he knows nothing of such claims and aims to give Albertans what they want: access to doctors for families, seniors and the mentally ill.
“I haven’t been involved (with privatization),” said Horne, 50, who has been described as a soft-spoken, ambitious and smart health policy consultant. He became an MLA in March 2008.
He worked under former health ministers Gene Zwozdesky and Ron Liepert after a decade of contract work with their predecessors Gary Mar, Iris Evans and Dave Hancock.
“Our premier has made it very clear we’re here in support of the publicly funded health-care system,” said Horne, who led public consultations for the new health act and the department’s advisory committee on health.
“(Albertans) want us to get back to basics … to focus on things like primary care — so how you get into the front door of the health system — continuing care for seniors and mental health.”
Horne said public health isn’t “necessarily” about money or institutions.
“It’s about people and families and communities and making sure there’s a strong health infrastructure in each local community.”
But Liberal Leader Dr. Raj Sherman said Albertans should be concerned with Horne’s appointment.
“We’ve got the chief architect of the PC privatization plan coming back to finish the job in health care,” said Sherman, a former Tory who served as parliamentary assistant on health until he was replaced by Horne.
Sherman was thrown out of the Progressive Conservative caucus last year after criticizing its handling of health — and after a whisper campaign that became public when Horne called psychiatrist Patrick White to discuss Sherman’s behaviour.
Horne and White, then-president of the Alberta Medical Association, both said they were motivated by friendship and concern, not politics.
Sherman said that while he was still in the inner circle, Horne presented an internal report discussing options for private health insurance, delisting procedures and allowing doctors to work in the public and private systems.
Sherman said he expressed shock over the document he described as equivalent to the “Third Way,” or privatization of health care, ditched by former premier Ralph Klein because of strong public backlash.
“Fred was doing all the work at agenda and policies (committee), all the things that have happened in health care at a time when we had the highest spending, the worst performance, crisis to crisis year after year,” Sherman said Wednesday. He said Zwozdesky should stay as health minister and Jay Ramatar as deputy health minister.
“It took me about 10 months to get them both trained up about what the real problems in health care were all about, and Fred was one of the problems,” said Sherman.
NDP Leader Brian Mason had similar qualms about Horne.
“He is the author of the plan for more private health-care delivery that this government has been following by stealth,” Mason said.
David Eggen, executive director of Friends of Medicare, surmised Horne either coined or aggressively promoted the term “publicly funded health care” rather than true public health care. The former leaves wide open options of publicly funded health services delivered by private companies under contract.
“We’ll be watching carefully,” Eggen said. “If they want health to be an asset to their political future and not this huge ball and chain, then they have to make a break from the past five years.”
But Redford said she chose Horne because he offers some continuity with the past.
Fred Horne denies charges he’s the ‘architect’ of Conservative plan By Jodie Sinnema, edmontonjournal.com October 12, 2011
Premier Alison Redford announced her new cabinet at Government House in Edmonton on Oct. 12, 2011.Photograph by: Shaughn Butts, edmontonjournal.comEDMONTON - The “chief architect of privatization” has become Alberta’s health minister after years of behind-the-scenes work with former health ministers, including ones pushing the Third Way, critics charge.
But Fred Horne, who says he was excited and humbled to receive his first cabinet post under Premier Alison Redford, said he knows nothing of such claims and aims to give Albertans what they want: access to doctors for families, seniors and the mentally ill.
“I haven’t been involved (with privatization),” said Horne, 50, who has been described as a soft-spoken, ambitious and smart health policy consultant. He became an MLA in March 2008.
He worked under former health ministers Gene Zwozdesky and Ron Liepert after a decade of contract work with their predecessors Gary Mar, Iris Evans and Dave Hancock.
“Our premier has made it very clear we’re here in support of the publicly funded health-care system,” said Horne, who led public consultations for the new health act and the department’s advisory committee on health.
“(Albertans) want us to get back to basics … to focus on things like primary care — so how you get into the front door of the health system — continuing care for seniors and mental health.”
Horne said public health isn’t “necessarily” about money or institutions.
“It’s about people and families and communities and making sure there’s a strong health infrastructure in each local community.”
But Liberal Leader Dr. Raj Sherman said Albertans should be concerned with Horne’s appointment.
“We’ve got the chief architect of the PC privatization plan coming back to finish the job in health care,” said Sherman, a former Tory who served as parliamentary assistant on health until he was replaced by Horne.
Sherman was thrown out of the Progressive Conservative caucus last year after criticizing its handling of health — and after a whisper campaign that became public when Horne called psychiatrist Patrick White to discuss Sherman’s behaviour.
Horne and White, then-president of the Alberta Medical Association, both said they were motivated by friendship and concern, not politics.
Sherman said that while he was still in the inner circle, Horne presented an internal report discussing options for private health insurance, delisting procedures and allowing doctors to work in the public and private systems.
Sherman said he expressed shock over the document he described as equivalent to the “Third Way,” or privatization of health care, ditched by former premier Ralph Klein because of strong public backlash.
“Fred was doing all the work at agenda and policies (committee), all the things that have happened in health care at a time when we had the highest spending, the worst performance, crisis to crisis year after year,” Sherman said Wednesday. He said Zwozdesky should stay as health minister and Jay Ramatar as deputy health minister.
“It took me about 10 months to get them both trained up about what the real problems in health care were all about, and Fred was one of the problems,” said Sherman.
NDP Leader Brian Mason had similar qualms about Horne.
“He is the author of the plan for more private health-care delivery that this government has been following by stealth,” Mason said.
David Eggen, executive director of Friends of Medicare, surmised Horne either coined or aggressively promoted the term “publicly funded health care” rather than true public health care. The former leaves wide open options of publicly funded health services delivered by private companies under contract.
“We’ll be watching carefully,” Eggen said. “If they want health to be an asset to their political future and not this huge ball and chain, then they have to make a break from the past five years.”
But Redford said she chose Horne because he offers some continuity with the past.
Interest groups, opposition parties weigh in on new cabinet 2:45pm
Matthew Bisson
10/12/2011
Reaction to Premier Alison Redford's appointments to cabinet Wednesday were, for the most part, mixed.
At Edmonton City Hall, reaction was largely for Redford's appointees considered the "big three" for cities -- Doug Griffiths in Municipal Affairs, Ray Danyluk in Transportation, and Jeff Johnson in Infrastructure.
"Premier Redford seemed to be very favorable to cities and our challenges," says Coun. Dake Loken.
However, there was some concern about Ron Liepert's appointment to the finance portfolio, and whether the province would commit to making $100 million available to cover the shortfall for a new arena in downtown Edmonton. The city did get some backing from newly-appointed Education Minister Thomas Lukaszuk, who says he is commited to getting the city the money. Deputy Premier Doug Horner was non-committal.
On the appointment of Fred Horne as Health Minister, Friends of Medicare's says he has some not so fond memories of his previous work.
"We know him quite well," says David Eggen with Frends. "He was behind the scenes with the Alberta Health Act, he was working on health policy in the legislature for quite a number of years, so he's certainly not a new face to the health file."
Eggen believes Horne will succeed if he and Redford stay on the same page.
"Look to make a clean break from this government's long flirtation with private health care and give something Albertans really want," he says.
Guy Smith, the president of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE), says he's already had dealings with the new Human Services Minister, David Hancock.
"He's my own MLA, so I have had a discussion with him on an on-going basis," says Smith."He is someone who is very approachable, and I think, wants to listen to the many issues we bring forward, because I think most cabinet ministers recognize that when AUPE brings issues forward, it's coming from the front lines, from the people who work every day in the system."
Smith says the AUPE is looking forward to working with the new cabinet.
"I'm hoping that he's looking for input from groups such as AUPE when he's building his next budget, because again, we do have a unique perspective on services to the people of Alberta."
Naturally, opposition parties are less than enthused about the appointments.
"We know, looking at this cabinet, and the early mis-steps of Ms. Redford, that we're not going to get change, with the kind of approach that she's taking, and the kind of approach we've seen the PCs taking over the last seven or eight years," says Wildrose leader Danielle Smith. "The only way we're going to get real change is by changing the government."
Smith laughs at the notion that the cabinet has actually downsized.
"Even her predecessors had managed to shrink the size of cabinet down," she points out. "When (Ed) Stelmach became premier, he had an 18-person cabinet. When (Ralph) Klein became premier, he had a 17-person cabinet. With 21 people, it's pretty bloated, and I think it's because she had a lot of promises to keep." (CHQR, mb, sj, bp
Matthew Bisson
10/12/2011
Reaction to Premier Alison Redford's appointments to cabinet Wednesday were, for the most part, mixed.
At Edmonton City Hall, reaction was largely for Redford's appointees considered the "big three" for cities -- Doug Griffiths in Municipal Affairs, Ray Danyluk in Transportation, and Jeff Johnson in Infrastructure.
"Premier Redford seemed to be very favorable to cities and our challenges," says Coun. Dake Loken.
However, there was some concern about Ron Liepert's appointment to the finance portfolio, and whether the province would commit to making $100 million available to cover the shortfall for a new arena in downtown Edmonton. The city did get some backing from newly-appointed Education Minister Thomas Lukaszuk, who says he is commited to getting the city the money. Deputy Premier Doug Horner was non-committal.
On the appointment of Fred Horne as Health Minister, Friends of Medicare's says he has some not so fond memories of his previous work.
"We know him quite well," says David Eggen with Frends. "He was behind the scenes with the Alberta Health Act, he was working on health policy in the legislature for quite a number of years, so he's certainly not a new face to the health file."
Eggen believes Horne will succeed if he and Redford stay on the same page.
"Look to make a clean break from this government's long flirtation with private health care and give something Albertans really want," he says.
Guy Smith, the president of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE), says he's already had dealings with the new Human Services Minister, David Hancock.
"He's my own MLA, so I have had a discussion with him on an on-going basis," says Smith."He is someone who is very approachable, and I think, wants to listen to the many issues we bring forward, because I think most cabinet ministers recognize that when AUPE brings issues forward, it's coming from the front lines, from the people who work every day in the system."
Smith says the AUPE is looking forward to working with the new cabinet.
"I'm hoping that he's looking for input from groups such as AUPE when he's building his next budget, because again, we do have a unique perspective on services to the people of Alberta."
Naturally, opposition parties are less than enthused about the appointments.
"We know, looking at this cabinet, and the early mis-steps of Ms. Redford, that we're not going to get change, with the kind of approach that she's taking, and the kind of approach we've seen the PCs taking over the last seven or eight years," says Wildrose leader Danielle Smith. "The only way we're going to get real change is by changing the government."
Smith laughs at the notion that the cabinet has actually downsized.
"Even her predecessors had managed to shrink the size of cabinet down," she points out. "When (Ed) Stelmach became premier, he had an 18-person cabinet. When (Ralph) Klein became premier, he had a 17-person cabinet. With 21 people, it's pretty bloated, and I think it's because she had a lot of promises to keep." (CHQR, mb, sj, bp
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