Stelmach quashes opposition pleas for health inquiry

Premier Ed Stelmach mocked opposition calls for a public health inquiry Sunday, calling their joint plea “preposterous political theatre” and defending the government’s record on health care.

In a statement released Sunday evening, Stelmach said Albertans remain confident in the performance of the health system. The unprecedented press conference held Friday by five opposition politicians was about posturing, not about helping health care.

“When five opposition politicians get together on a stage to tell you “this isn’t about politics,” you know it’s all about politics. It’s sure not for a team photo,” Stelmach said. “This represents simply the politics of fear.”

Stelmach reiterated the government’s commitment to ask the Health Quality Council of Alberta to review emergency room and cancer wait times.

“If emergency care or cancer care has been compromised by delays or long waiting lists, I want the HQCA to tell all Albertans exactly what happened, why, and how to prevent it in the future,” he said. “If any doctor wants to bring forward evidence that patients have been harmed or that physicians’ ability to do their jobs has been compromised, I want the HQCA to get to the bottom of that too.”

Stelmach’s comments come two days after Independent MLA Raj Sherman, Liberal Leader David Swann, Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith, NDP Leader Brian Mason and Alberta Party’s Sue Huff stood on stage together to demand the government appoint a judge to investigate allegations that doctors were intimidated, punished and paid to keep quiet about their concerns people were dying while waiting for lung surgery.

Sherman made similar allegations in the legislature the week before, for which the government has demanded to see proof.

The legislature resumes sitting on Monday, where health care will no doubt be the focus of question period.