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"Alberta could reform its broken tax-and-revenue system and generate another $10 billion a year – and still have the lowest taxes in Canada." - Elisabeth Ballermann, HSAA President.
Edmonton (03 June 2013) – News of possible bed closures, delayed surgeries and the elimination of programs announced by Alberta Health Services (AHS) on May 29 are a betrayal for Albertans – but not a surprise, says Elisabeth Ballermann, the President of the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA/NUPGE), the Union of Healthcare Professionals.
Union warned of cuts to front-line care as a result of reduce government spending
“We have been warning Albertans for months that the kinds of cuts that were being imposed on health spending as a result of the budget would lead to cuts in front-line care,” says Ballermann.
“While those in government and at AHS management have talked about finding savings and efficiencies in administration, it was obvious to us working in front-line care that these cuts would result in real pain for Albertans. In the next three years, health-care spending will fall $1.58 billion behind population growth and inflation, meaning we should brace for more of these cruel cuts,” she says.
Corporate giveaways now affecting health care
“There is no need for this. Alberta is a wealthy province, one of the wealthiest jurisdictions in the world. Large corporations have been enjoying soaring profits, while the government has spent decades handing them gifts in the form of unnecessary tax cuts and one of the lowest royalty regimes in North America. The cost of these corporate giveaways has been billions of dollars – money that could be used to provide care for Albertans in need,” says Ballermann.
“It is a lie to say these cuts are needed. There is no need to reduce treatment for the sick, the injured, the dying and the disabled. Alberta could reform its broken tax-and-revenue system and generate another $10 billion a year – and still have the lowest taxes in Canada,” she says.
Albertans reject cuts to public services:Government needs to listen
“Unfortunately, the Conservative government figures it’s easier to download its mistakes onto working and vulnerable Al bertans than to ask the wealthy and profitable corporations to pay their fair share. A recent poll shows that the vast majority of Albertans reject cuts to public services and agree that there should be an increase on taxes for the wealthy and corporations. It is shameful that the government is ignoring Albertans while pandering to the elite.”
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE