Many residents of Airdrie were disappointed when they heard the news the City would be divesting itself of its provincially renowned integrated fire and ambulance service. Run by Chief Sheldon Leavitt, Airdrie Emergency Services has a sterling safety record, attracts and trains dozens of highly skilled individuals to Airdrie, and saves millions of taxpayers’ dollars by efficiently integrating the use of equipment and personnel thereby limiting duplication and waste.
So why would the City feel the need to divest itself of this service? Two words – Broken Promises.
As a newly elected MLA, I was approached by then Health Minister Ron Liepert to carry Bill 43, the Emergency Health Services Act (2008). The proposed law was to enshrine responsibility for providing ambulance services with the newly created Alberta Health Services (AHS) entity.
I immediately brought up a concern with the Minister, communicated to me by Mayor Bruce shortly after taking office, that Airdrie was worried this centralization of authority might mean the end of our community’s prized integrated service. I said that if the Minister could guarantee me that this legislation would not interfere with Airdrie’s ability to retain its integrated service, I would be happy to carry Bill 43 through the Legislature. The Minister made the promise, and I, somewhat naively it turns out, took him at his word.
Roughly one year later, and to my great consternation, I received a phone call from our good Mayor explaining that AHS was alleging that Airdrie Emergency Services was in breach of its contract with AHS, and that the demands being made by AHS were so expensive in nature, the City may be forced to divest itself of its integrated service entirely. The stated complaint by AHS was that the integrated service was overstretched and not adequately safe. Given the unblemished safety record of the service, I found that difficult to believe. Upon further investigation, it appears a high ranking bureaucrat at AHS was on a bit of a power trip, and was looking for any excuse to have AHS take over Airdrie’s integrated service.
After investigating this issue, I called Minister Liepert, explained the situation and reminded him of his pledge. I suggested that all he needed to do was reign in one or two bureaucrats at AHS and the problem would be solved. He said he would look into it but that I should not involve myself. He hired a mediator. City managers provided three options they felt would address the stated concerns of AHS. AHS declined each option and stubbornly refused to alter its original position on the issue.
Late last year, Minister Liepert called me with the news that mediation had failed, but that he would have communications staff at AHS call me about spinning the news to my constituents as a ‘public safety concern’ (I guess he has control over that part of the bureaucracy)…I crossed the floor shortly thereafter.
Airdrie Emergency Services is safe. It is efficient. It is a source of pride in our community. During the upcoming session, I will be holding Minister Liepert to account for his broken promise, and will be asking the new Health Minister, Gene Zwozdesky, to show that he, an elected official and not his bureaucrats, are in charge of his department. I ask that anyone who is concerned with this issue please write, phone and/or email both Ministers at:
Minister Gene Zwozdesky
8207 Argyll Road Edmonton, AB T6C 4B2 Phone: (780) 466-3737
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Minister Ron Liepert
#2, 5555 Strathcona Hill SW Calgary, AB T3H 1S2 Phone: (403) 216-5439
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Video
Rob Speaks to Bill 201 regarding Airdrie's integrated emergency services. February 22, 2010.
