Questions for candidates
Health care is the biggest concern for Albertans going in to the provincial election. Pinning the parties, and candidates, down on what they will actually do, however, is always a challenge. The following are some questions designed to force clear and concrete answers. They can come in handy if you attend a candidate forum or a candidate comes to your door.
What is your plan for improving our health care system and reducing the current capacity problems?
What will you do about the critical shortage of health care workers, doctors, nurses, pharmacists and others?
There has been a great deal of discussion about “innovation” in Alberta’s health system and using more private, for-profit services. What is your position on private health care in Alberta?
After all the reports on nursing homes and long-term care problems in Alberta, the provincial government introduced new standards for long-term care that failed to specify measurable levels of nursing and personal care. Will you support a staffing standard that ensures a minimum of 3.5 hours of nursing and personal care every day for every long-term care resident?
The Alberta government has also created lower standards and levels of care for some long-term care residents, with new categories like assisted living and now even supportive living. Will you stand up for full and adequate care for all Albertans who require it?
Recent changes have upset a long-standing balance on the Board of the Local Authorities Pension Plan and eliminated the power of Employees to protect benefits. Will you restore the fair balance in governance at the Local Authorities Pension Plan?
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