Rachel Notley calls for one-on-one debate with Kenney on healthcare cuts

The leader of Alberta’s Official Opposition is calling on Premier Jason Kenney to have a one-on-one debate following what the NDP calls “devastating” public healthcare cuts.

“We know the UCP want to hide from the serious consequences of their health care to Alberta families. That’s why these cuts came out after the budget debate,” Rachel Notley said in a Facebook post.

“Jason Kenney owes it to Albertans to come clean,” Notley said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Jason Kenney owes it to Albertans to come clean," Notley said.

The NDP had also called for an emergency debate in the legislature Monday, but the UCP majority voted against holding one.

In question period on Tuesday, Notley directly called on the premier to participate in a live debate.

“This is a debate right now,” responded Kenney. “Albertans had a debate this spring on the NDP’s record, on spending more for less on healthcare. On spending more than any other province and getting less.

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“The government is not laying off thousands of people… in fact, the government has indicated the maximum number of positions that could be affected by changes over the next four years.

“We would hope that there would significantly fewer positions affected,” Kenney said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We would hope that there would significantly fewer positions affected," Kenney said.

NDP healthcare critic David Shepherd also held an event in Edmonton Tuesday afternoon, joined by healthcare professionals denouncing recent UCP budget cuts that have led to Alberta Health Services announcing up to 500 layoffs. 

“We recognize that we need to find ways to reduce the cost of care. However, that needs to be done thoughtfully. That needs to be done carefully,” Shepherd said Tuesday.

St. Albert-based physician Dr. Bailey Adams also spoke at the event, saying she believes the cuts will weaken the public health care system in the province.

“I fear that the UCP government is trying to create such a broken down public healthcare system that the public will simply be forced to accept a more expensive private system out of desperation,” Adams said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I fear that the UCP government is trying to create such a broken down public healthcare system that the public will simply be forced to accept a more expensive private system out of desperation," Adams said.

“Our patients will fall through the cracks.”

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While Kenney would not agree to a live debate, Notley and Shepherd will be hosting a Facebook live at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on the Alberta NDP page.