'Very real deficit': Rallies highlight need for more health care staff in Alberta
Albertans rallied across the province Saturday to support public healthcare and frontline staff.
Outside the South Health Campus, a group of Calgarians drew attention to the state of Alberta's healthcare system.
The rally follows an announcement made by the province Friday that more ICU beds are being added to Alberta hospitals to help address the surgery backlog, burned-out health care workers, and growing wait times.
Hosted by Public Interest Alberta, the group believes the UCP is taking steps toward privatizing healthcare and argue that it is not going to help Albertans.
Cameron Westhead, second vice president of United Nurses of Alberta (UNA), said staff need a health minister and premier who are more supportive.
"It seems like he's (the premier) more interested in purchasing furniture than purchasing people to work in the hospital," Westhead said. "Beds don't provide care; highly skilled people do.
"We are in a very real deficit of that skilled labour," he added. "(Health care workers) are the only thing keeping the system together."
A large crowd also gathered at the Alberta Legislature building, chanting: "How are we gonna defend our nurses? Defeat the UCP."
"They are actively and have been undermining, starving our public healthcare system and trying to feed us the lie that a private system would be better or private deliver is better," said Heather Smith, UNA president, in Edmonton.
Similar events were hosted in Lethbridge, Red Deer, and Medicine Hat.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.