Stelmach’s departure follows many big controversies

Decision to guarantee health care funding for five years was a notable exception to a tumultuous time in power.

Edmonton (28 Jan. 2011) - The decision by Ed Stelmach to resign as premier of Alberta comes as no surprise given his tumultuous and often controversial tenure as leader of the province, says Elisabeth Ballermann, president of the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA/NUPGE).

"It appears as though Mr. Stelmach has fallen on the proverbial sword for the Alberta Progressive Conservative Party once again, the second consecutive Tory leader to do so," says Ballermann.

The reference was to Stelmach's predecessor, Ralph Klein, whose leadership and policy decisions also came under tough scrutiny by an increasingly impatient public.

HSAA says the forthcoming departure of Stelmach, the province's 13th premier, was accelerated by his party's "ongoing bumbling of the province's public health care system."

Key issues included the proposed closure of Alberta Hospital Edmonton, chronic hospital emergency department wait times and a lack of commitment to long-term care beds for seniors.

Stelmach also leaves behind a province in debt despite its phenomenal richness in resources.

On a positive note, Ballermann said Stelmach deserves recognition for one positive achievement.

"The Premier should be applauded for finally listening to Albertans and putting in place appropriate, guaranteed levels of health funding over a five-year period. While our positions on preserving public (rather than) private for-profit health care differ, I have respect for anyone who spends time in the public service with the goal of bettering society for Albertans," Ballermann said.

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