NDP calls on Alberta government to stop the push to 'Americanize' public health care
A stock photo showing a survery under way.
The Alberta NDP is calling on the provincial government to stop what it says are "plans to Americanize public health care in Alberta."
Opposition party leader Rachel Notley made the plea during an appearance at Calgary's Foothills Medical Centre on Wednesday.
During her speech, Notley said Albertans deserve a public health-care system that is strong and that they can rely on.
"Albertans deserve to know there is an ambulance on the way when they're in distress and a bed available at the nearest hospital," she said.
"Over and over again, the UCP has led our province down a path of health-care disruption, chaos and privatization. The UCP is driven to bring more American-style for-profit health care into our public Alberta system, and that's wrong."
The NDP's request for the UCP to stop the push to 'Americanize' public health care came the same day a pair of rallies are taking place in Edmonton and in Calgary to support public health care.
The rallies are planned by Protect Our Province Alberta, a group made up of health-care professionals that was formed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and come two days after it was announced that Alberta Health Services (AHS) president and CEO Dr. Verna Yiu, had been fired.
When it was announced, Health Minister Jason Copping said in a statement the change had been in the works for some time, and the recruitment process for Dr. Yiu's replacement is under way.
"It's time to move forward with an ambitious agenda to improve and modernize the health system, and renewed leadership in Alberta Health Services will support delivering those changes," Copping said Monday.
"We promised Albertans better access to surgery and a stronger publicly funded health system with better access overall. The pandemic has changed the timelines but it hasn't changed the goals," he said.
Notley said the "unceremonious" firing of Yiu is the UCP's way of "clearing the desk for even more chaos and upheaval in our health-care system."
"The fact that they had to fire her to make way for their changes should raise the alarm for every Albertan," she said. "The UCP is coming for health care and they are coming fast."
"Recently, (Alberta) Budget 2022 doubled the proportion of surgeries Alberta contracted out to private facilities, taking important resources out of the public system.
"What we've seen in this last budget is this government's decision to take $100 million out of the health budget compared to what was spent last year."
Notley is calling on Premier Jason Kenney and Health Minister Jason Copping to "stand down."
"I am calling on them to take their plan for cuts, chaos and American-style health care off the table and put it on the ballot, with honesty, so that Albertans can make the choice.
"Put our plan against their plan in the next election and let Albertans decide."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Hockey Canada calls emergency meeting as sponsors pull support
Hockey Canada’s board of directors called an emergency meeting Thursday night under mounting pressure from top corporate sponsors, political leaders and provincial organizations stemming from the group's apparent unwillingness to address its handling of alleged sexual assaults.
Danielle Smith wins Alberta UCP leadership, named premier-designate
After a night of delays, the vote counts came hard and fast, resulting in Danielle Smith being named the UCP’s new leader and Alberta's next premier.
September jobless rate falls to 5.2 per cent as fewer Canadians look for work
Statistics Canada says the Canadian economy posted a modest gain of 21,000 jobs in September.
'There'll be no turkey': Sombre Thanksgiving for Atlantic Canadians hit hard by Fiona
The Thanksgiving holiday weekend has been dampened for thousands in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia who are still without power -- almost two weeks since Fiona hit on Sept. 24.
Poilievre condemned for use of YouTube tag targeting 'misogynistic' groups
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberals are accusing Pierre Poilievre of 'using his videos to appeal to far-right misogynistic online movements,' following a report that Poilievre's YouTube channel was using a hidden tag to promote his videos among anti-women audiences.
Myles Sanderson responsible for all 11 Sask. stabbing deaths: RCMP
Myles Sanderson was responsible for all 11 deaths during the mass stabbing in Saskatchewan last month, according to RCMP.
Military's chief orders halt to non-essential activities, focus on personnel crisis
Chief of the defence staff Gen. Wayne Eyre has ordered an immediate halt to all non-essential activities in favour of boosting military recruitment and retention, as the Canadian Armed Forces faces an unprecedented personnel crisis.
Suspect in the deaths of a California family has been arrested for kidnapping and murder, authorities say
The suspect in the kidnapping and killing of four California family members, including their baby, was arrested late Thursday.
Nobel Peace Prize goes to activists from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine
This year's Nobel Peace Prize is going to jailed Belarus rights activist Ales Bialiatski, the Russian group Memorial and the Ukrainian organization Center for Civil Liberties, the award's judges said Friday.
Edmonton
-
Danielle Smith wins Alberta UCP leadership, named premier-designate
After a night of delays, the vote counts came hard and fast, resulting in Danielle Smith being named the UCP’s new leader and Alberta's next premier.
-
Edmonton mayor congratulates Smith, hopes city receives 'fair share' of support
Edmonton's mayor congratulated Danielle Smith, Alberta's premier-designate, for her United Conservative Party leadership contest win, and hoped for a collaborative partnership.
-
Edmonton weather: Thanksgiving weekend full of 20s
Sunshine and warm afternoons dominate the forecast right through this Thanksgiving long weekend. We're anticipating daytime highs in the low 20s for each of Sat/Sun/Mon and we'll also be up around 20 later today.
Vancouver
-
Bank robbery suspect arrested after barricading himself in taxi for 2 hours: Vancouver police
A man suspected of robbing a bank in Vancouver's Chinatown was arrested Thursday evening after a lengthy standoff where the man barricaded himself in a taxi, local police say.
-
Small wildfire in Metro Vancouver regional park now under control
The Metro Vancouver Regional District says a small wildfire sparked in a park last Saturday is now considered under control.
-
Here's why B.C. might see a more severe flu season this year: doctor
After two years with almost no flu season, B.C. physicians are warning there could be a spike in cases this fall and winter.
Atlantic
-
More than 13,000 customers in P.E.I., N.S. still without power two weeks after Fiona
More than 13,000 customers are still without power in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island two weeks after post-tropical storm Fiona made landfall in the region on Sept. 23.
-
'There'll be no turkey': Sombre Thanksgiving for Atlantic Canadians hit hard by Fiona
The Thanksgiving holiday weekend has been dampened for thousands in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia who are still without power -- almost two weeks since Fiona hit on Sept. 24.
-
The cost of nearly two weeks without power adding up for many Nova Scotians
Nearly two weeks after Fiona wreaked havoc across Atlantic Canada, more than 3,000 Nova Scotia Power customers are still waiting to be restored.
Vancouver Island
-
Large exotic cat on the loose near Victoria is third African serval to escape on Vancouver Island this week
Another serval has escaped from its owner on Vancouver Island, this time in a community north of Victoria. "She learned how to open the back door," says owner Sylvia Lammers. "We thought it was our error that we left the door open, not realizing that she had figured it out."
-
Vancouver Island paper mill to close indefinitely, at least 150 jobs affected
B.C.-based company Paper Excellence says it is indefinitely ceasing its paper operations at one of its Vancouver Island facilities in two months. In an announcement Thursday, the company said its Catalyst Crofton facility, south of Nanaimo, B.C., will stop producing paper in early December, a move that's expected to affect at least 150 workers.
-
Man taken to hospital after 'unprovoked hammer attack' in Victoria: VicPD
Victoria police say a man is in hospital and another has been arrested following an "unprovoked hammer attack" on Thursday morning. Police say they received a report of a random assault with a hammer around 9:30 a.m. in the 900-block of Pandora Avenue.
Toronto
-
Blue Jays playoff baseball returns to Toronto today. Here are 10 things you need to know
The Blue Jays are set to begin the MLB post-season against the Seattle Mariners in a best-of-three wild-card series at Rogers Centre this weekend.
-
Hayley Wickenheiser calls Hockey Canada 'disgraceful,' says leadership needs change
Hayley Wickenheiser, four-time Olympic gold medallist and Toronto Maple Leafs assistant general manager, said Hockey Canada needs a leadership change.
-
Ontario licence plate sticker refund program leaves some car owners with eye-popping rebates
A single person received more than $38,000 from Ontario’s licence plate sticker refund program, while some $32 million ended up with people who appeared to own more than five cars, according to data obtained by CTV News Investigates.
Montreal
-
'Keep the car': Woman hopes thieves return mother's ashes from back seat of stolen vehicle
A woman is calling on Montrealers to keep their eyes peeled for her stolen vehicle. She says she does not care about the car; it’s her mother’s ashes, which were sitting in the back seat, that she wants back.
-
25-year-old stabbed in downtown Montreal
A 25-year-old was sent to hospital with stab wounds following an altercation with a group Thursday evening in downtown Montreal.
-
Teachers will soon be asked to teach toothbrushing 101 in Quebec, raising workload concerns
A tooth-brushing program that is soon to be phased in across Quebec in elementary schools is raising concern among teachers because they’ll be the ones called upon to supervise the students as they clean their teeth.
Ottawa
-
Tight race between McKenney and Sutcliffe for Ottawa mayor, 35 per cent undecided: Nanos poll
A Nanos Research survey for CTV News Ottawa shows 29 per cent of respondents said they would vote for Catherine McKenney for mayor of Ottawa, compared to 24 per cent for Mark Sutcliffe.
-
Ottawa family facing deportation to Nigeria asks government to intervene
An Ottawa family is begging the Canadian government to intervene as they face deportation to Nigeria in less than a week.
-
NEW THIS MORNING
NEW THIS MORNING | Ottawa residents can vote in advance polls for the municipal election today
The city of Ottawa says voting places will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. across the city for today's Advance Vote Day.
Kitchener
-
Cambridge family mourning after fatal plane crash in Saskatchewan
A 22-year-old pilot from Cambridge is being mourned after a fatal plane crash in Saskatchewan.
-
Two dead after collision in North Dumfries
Two people were killed Thursday in a fatal collision in North Dumfries Township, according to the Waterloo Regional Police Service.
-
Blue Jays playoff baseball returns to Toronto today. Here are 10 things you need to know
The Blue Jays are set to begin the MLB post-season against the Seattle Mariners in a best-of-three wild-card series at Rogers Centre this weekend.
Saskatoon
-
Myles Sanderson responsible for all 11 Sask. stabbing deaths: RCMP
Myles Sanderson was responsible for all 11 deaths during the mass stabbing in Saskatchewan last month, according to RCMP.
-
Saskatoon police arrest 51-year-old on array of weapons charges
A 51-year-old Saskatoon man was charged with a host of firearms charges after a raid by the Saskatoon police guns and gangs unit on Tuesday.
-
Saskatoon gynecology clinic hit with ransomware attack: report
A ransomware attack on a Saskatoon obstetrics and gynecology clinic left the personal health information of up to 20,000 patients in the hands of malicious hackers, according to the province's privacy watchdog.
Northern Ontario
-
Hockey Canada calls emergency meeting as sponsors pull support
Hockey Canada’s board of directors called an emergency meeting Thursday night under mounting pressure from top corporate sponsors, political leaders and provincial organizations stemming from the group's apparent unwillingness to address its handling of alleged sexual assaults.
-
SMS Equipment building $30M facility in Timmins
Construction is starting on what SMS Equipment says will be a unique facility able to handle growing demand for heavy equipment servicing in Timmins.
-
Sudbury police say driver who came to get impaired friend had also been drinking
Police in Sudbury say a 39-year-old driver has lost their license for three days after they came to the police station after they had been drinking.
Winnipeg
-
Is Winnipeg safe? How residents feel, according to a CTV News poll
The sense of safety is slipping for many Winnipeggers, with a majority of residents saying they feel their neighbourhood safety has decreased in recent years.
-
Manitoba RMCP looking for info into shooting of float planes
The Manitoba RCMP is looking for information after two float planes were shot at and likely destroyed.
-
Driver in 'confused state' arrested, stolen van recovered outside Calgary
A Manitoba man faces vehicle theft charges following an RCMP investigation into reports a van was swerving and frequently drifted on to the shoulder of the Trans-Canada Highway east of Calgary.
Regina
-
Myles Sanderson responsible for all 11 Sask. stabbing deaths: RCMP
Myles Sanderson was responsible for all 11 deaths during the mass stabbing in Saskatchewan last month, according to RCMP.
-
'A sense of power': New communication panels offering nonverbal children a chance to interact at city parks
Communication panels have been installed in three Regina parks, offering those who are nonverbal or who are experiencing disabilities an opportunity to interact with others.
-
Report details events leading up to Estevan police constable's death, chief's resignation
An inquiry into workplace concerns at the Estevan Police Service (EPS) following the death of a constable and subsequent resignation of the police chief has concluded.