OPPOSITION TO REDFORD: MAKE GOOD ON INQUIRY PROMISE

EDMONTON, AB (November 3, 2011): Today, Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith co-signed a letter with the leaders of Alberta’s two other main opposition parties to Premier Alison Redford demanding she deliver on her campaign promise to hold an independent public inquiry into the health care system.

Recently, Redford has signaled she will back down from the public inquiry promise. Instead, she’s indicated she will alter the Health Quality Council of Alberta’s (HQCA) mandate and powers to conduct a review.

In the letter, Smith – along with Liberal Leader Raj Sherman and NDP Leader Brian Mason – argues that an HQCA review is not the same as a public inquiry, which was her original promise.

The letter also lays out five conditions Redford’s promised inquiry must meet in order for it to be effective. The inquiry must:

•         Be open to the public and fully transparent

•         Be called under the Public Inquiries Act and presided over by a judge

•         Be focused on alleged wrongdoing and intimidation by government or surrogates

•         Be announced with terms of reference by the end of 2011

•         Be independent of the HQCA

“This is about accountability and doing what you say you’re going to do,” Smith said. “Ms. Redford promised Albertans a public inquiry so they can know the truth about what’s going on in the health care system. She can’t back away from that promise now.”

Wildrose Health Critic Heather Forsyth said front line health workers need the protection of a public inquiry in order to speak out.

“Our doctors and nurses are the glue that holds together a broken system,” Forsyth said. “They want to speak out and they want to see improvements, but they need and deserve the protection only a public inquiry can offer.”

The inquiry must be led by a federally appointed judge, which is the principal difference between a public inquiry and an HQCA review, Wildrose Justice Critic Rob Anderson said.

“Only a judge has the full powers of subpoena and the experience to weigh evidence and assess the credibility, or lack thereof, of witnesses,” Anderson said. “The HQCA specializes in quality of care issues. They simply do not have the expertise for this type of inquiry.”

The letter can be found here.

The Wildrose Caucus stands for free enterprise, less government, increased personal freedom and democracy.

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For further information or to arrange an interview, media are invited to contact:

Evan Menzies

Communications Assistant, Wildrose Caucus

Ph: 780-904-4913