EDMONTON – The Alberta government plans to expand the powers of a group looking into suggestions that officials have intimidated doctors who spoke up about their health-care concerns.
But Premier Alison Redford says the provincial cabinet will retain the power to decide if a full public inquiry will be held.
The government outlined Thursday its plans for the fall legislature sitting that resumes Monday. Among six pieces of legislation is a bill intended to enhance the powers of Alberta’s Health Quality Council, which is currently investigating accusations that government officials have threatened doctors who advocated for their patients or criticized department policies.
The council would report directly to the legislature instead of the health minister. It will also be allowed to appoint members to a public inquiry – if it decides that one is needed.
Such an inquiry would have the power to compel witnesses and subpoena evidence. The panel could also appoint a judge to lead it.
Redford said the legislation gives the council more independence.
“What we’re giving them is more power so that when they undertake that inquiry, they’re actually able to appoint a judge to lead it and to compel witnesses. The fact that the Health Quality Council will report to the legislature makes them truly accountable to the public.”
But it would still be up to cabinet to make the final call on whether to begin such a review.
“Cabinet would request the Health Quality Council to appoint an inquiry panel,” said Health Minister Fred Horne. “The nature and scope of the inquiry would be determined by cabinet.”
Laurie Blakeman, house leader for the Opposition Alberta Liberals, said that means the Tories still call the shots.
“This act is structured so that nothing happens unless the government says so,” she said. “They can empower (the council) as much as they want, but the gate does not open, nothing gets triggered, nothing happens until the government says it will happen.”
Blakeman also criticized proposed legislation that would lock future governments into calling elections every four years – but within a three-month period between March 1 and May 31.
“I guess we take that to mean fixed means ‘bungee-like,'” she said. “The point of a fixed election date is so the government cannot manipulate things to their best advantage.”
Government house leader Dave Hancock said the flexibility would allow sitting governments to allow for natural disasters or unusually cold or snowy winters. He said Alberta consulted other jurisdictions with fixed dates and heard that some wiggle room is desirable.
New Democrat Leader Brian Mason said both pieces of legislation break promises Redford made during her leadership campaign during which she supported a judicial inquiry into health care and a fixed election date.
“It’s business as usual,” said Mason.
Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith also accused Redford of breaking her word.
“By flip-flopping on promises to strengthen our democracy and improve our public health-care system, she insists on doing what is most convenient for her government and not standing up for what is right for the people of Alberta,” Smith said in a release.
Other bills planned for the upcoming sitting include an amendment to the Traffic Safety Act to allow “administrative penalties” for drivers caught with blood alcohol levels of between .05 and .08 per cent. A police officer could slap an offending driver with a three-day licence suspension or vehicle seizure.
As well, a new Child and Youth Advocate Act would create an independent office to investigate injuries and deaths of children under provincial care. The new office would release reports publicly.
The session is expected to last until the beginning of December.
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