Open Letter to Alberta MLAs
July 27, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Red Deer – Mountain View, AB
The Alberta government is calling for a 3% wage cut for nurses ($70,500 (average salary per ALIS) x 3% x 36,200 nurses = $76.56 million). Don Braid of the Calgary Herald is calling for Alberta MLAs to take a $22,000 wage cut (87 MLAs x $22,000 = $1.91 million). Unfortunately, neither of these options address the elephant in the room. Alberta will spend $23 billion on healthcare this fiscal year per Budget 2021.
Over the past year and a half, Albertans were forced to suspend their lives and lose their livelihoods under the guise of the common good and to protect our seemingly fragile healthcare system. If $23 billion dollars in annual spending does not secure our healthcare system against potential future threats, maybe it is time to stop accepting mediocrity and make some changes to the system.
Suggestions for your consideration:
Immediately schedule a First Ministers conference (meeting between the premiers and the Prime Minister).
Agree to repeal the Canada Health Act. According to the Canadian Constitution, healthcare is within the jurisdiction of the provinces.
Funds needed to support provincial healthcare decisions would then be collected within each respective province instead of being received through the Canada Health Transfer.
End the prohibition on private clinics and service providers which would generate competition, reduce wait times, decrease costs and ultimately provide better care for everyone.
Canadians have long triumphed our “free” healthcare system as being the best in the world. In reality, it is neither free nor the best. Embracing new ideas and private market solutions is the best way to improve our healthcare system for all Albertans. I for one, believe that Albertans deserve the best for their hard earned tax dollars. It’s time for a change, don’t you agree?
Sincerely,
Jared Pilon
Libertarian Party Candidate for Red Deer – Mountain View, AB