Alberta Health Services review lays the groundwork for conservative agenda of deep cuts and privatization

EDMONTON – The Alberta Health Services (AHS) review, done by Ernst and Young LLP, was released by Health Minister Tyler Shandro this morning. The review cost Albertans $2 million to complete and includes 57 recommendations to government including $1.9 billion in cuts and further privatization of Alberta’s health care.

“Today’s release of the AHS review is yet another example of the UCP government using a third party to provide cover for their true agenda, cuts and privatization of our public services,” said Gil McGowan, president of the Alberta Federation of Labour.

The report recommends deep cuts, along with privatization of our laboratory services, as well as pursuing privatization for non-clinical services such as food services, housekeeping, and laundry. It also calls for the expansion of non-hospital surgical facilities and emergency departments.

“During the election Jason Kenney signed a ‘public health care guarantee’ telling voters he would protect public health care as Premier”, said McGowan, “when they went to the polls last year, Albertans didn’t vote for Jason Kenney to wage an ideological attack on their public health care, yet that is exactly what the UCP is now delivering.”

Over the next 100 days, Alberta Health Services has committed to consulting with staff and clinical leaders to develop an implementation plan for the report’s recommendations.

“Albertans need to speak up right now to tell Premier Kenney and Minister Shandro that this isn’t what they voted for, and that cuts and privatization of our public health care system are unacceptable”, concluded McGowan.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Gil McGowan

President, AFL

(780) 218-9888 or gmcgowan@afl.org