EDMONTON — During today’s Question Period—the first since the Alberta Legislative Assembly returned from last week’s constituency break—the Minister of Mental Health and Addiction, Rick Wilson, was directly asked to apologize for misleading the Legislature, and to tell Albertans what he actually saw happen during a recent visit to a Supervised Consumption Site. But rather than answer the questions posed to him, he instead resorted to reading out recycled Recovery Alberta talking points, and used his time to rail against medical evidence and life-saving harm reduction services.
Today was Minister Wilson’s first opportunity to stand up in the Legislative Assembly to apologize for misleading the public, and to tell Albertans what actually happened on his recent site visit. Unfortunately, the Minister opted to dodge the issue entirely, doubling-down on ideological rhetoric instead,” said Chris Gallaway, executive director of Friends of Medicare. “This is a Minister who straight up lied to the Legislature by claiming he witnessed someone die, which absolutely did not happen. Albertans deserve better.”
“The Minister's refusal to accept responsibility for his words and the harm he has caused, and his failure to rectify the record today shows us that he is unfit to serve as the minister responsible for such a crucial and life-saving health care portfolio. We call on Minister Wilson to resign, and if not, for the Premier to replace him,” continued Gallaway.
Also during today’s Question Period, Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services, Adriana LaGrange, was asked about recent cautions from the federal Health Minister regarding Alberta’s ability to stay in compliance with the Canada Health Act, as the province moves forward with the implementation of Bill 11– legislation designed to bring two-tier health care into Alberta.
“Today in the Legislature, Minister LaGrange once again repeated the erroneous talking point that the Alberta government's so-called ‘dual practice’ model is exactly the same system as already exists in New Brunswick—a statement that the Minister knows is untrue, given that the Minister of Health from New Brunswick felt the need to directly correct the record on this months ago,” said Gallaway. “It is totally unacceptable that here we are, months later, and Minister LaGrange is standing up in the Legislature repeating the same lie she tried to tell Albertans back in February, when she knows full well that’s not the case.”
“Because the truth is, our government is full steam ahead with implementing two-tier American-style health care designed to benefit insurance companies over patients here in Alberta—something they know Albertans don’t support. Once again, this government shows they will say just about anything to deflect from taking accountability,” concluded Gallaway.
Friends of Medicare continues to urge Albertans to join the fight back against allowing two-tier American-style health in Alberta by emailing the federal government to tell them to enforce the Canada Health Act, by signing our petition, and by attending one of our community town halls.
-30-