2005 December Speaking Notes AFL All-union Meeting to discuss FOIP Revelations about the Labour Relations Board
Gil McGowan, President of the Alberta Federation of Labour, December 2, 2005
Two-and-a-half years ago, the Alberta government made some sweeping changes to the labour laws covering health care workers in this province.
The government tried to argue that Bill 27 was nothing more than administrative house-keeping. They said it was about simplification, streamlining and efficiency.
But from our perspective, it was something much more serious. It was a law essentially drafted to force concessions from health care unions that the regional health authorities had been unable to win at the bargaining table.
Bill 27 allowed the government to tear up dozens of freely negotiated contracts covering the pay and working conditions of tens of thousands of health care workers.
It forced unions into run-off votes, denying many workers the right to choose the union they actually preferred.
And it removed the legal right to strike from thousands of union members in areas like Community Health, Mental Health and Extended Care - without even attempting to justify how it would threaten the public interest if a speech pathologist, physiotherapist or community health nurse walked a picket line.
We've had our share of anti-union labour laws thrown at us in the province - but Bill 27 has to rank among the worst.
Our concerns about the substance of the law were profound - but we also had serious concerns about the process.
In particular, we were concerned about the role employers may have played in introducing, designing and drafting the legislation.
In an attempt to substantiate these concerns we filed a series of Freedom of Information requests with the Department of Health and Wellness, the Department of Human Resources and Employment and the Labour Relations Board.
The responses we received to these requests only heightened our concerns. The Health department and the Human Resources Department disclosed boxes of documents - most of which turned out to be innocuous. But from the LRB, we got nothing.
The Board refused to release any documents, saying they were all covered by exemptions within the FOIP act.
This blanket refusal, coupled with a few hints from documents from Health and Human Resources, raised a number of red flags for us. In particular, we started to suspect that we had stumbled onto something even bigger than what we had initially thought. We had been worried about the government cozying up with employers. But now we started to have grave concerns about the role that the Labour Relations Board in the whole process.
As we all know, the LRB is the quasi-judicial board that over-sees the administration and application of labour laws covering unionize workplaces in Alberta.
It is the referee, the traffic cop, the court of appeal in matters of labour relations.
It is also - and this is crucial - supposed to be independent and impartial. And by independent, we mean arms-length from government and free from influence by either the unions or the employers that appear before it.
However, at least when it came to Bill 27, the more we learned, the more it appeared that the Board's independence had been compromised. In particular, we were getting hints that the LRB was taking a direct role in drafting Bill 27.
We had no smoking gun. But, if it was true that the Board was working with government on Bill 27 this was very serious & because the LRB would have crossed an important line & they would have gone from interpreting the law, to writing it.
The LRB and Clint Dunford, who was Minister of Human Resources at the time, essentially said we were paranoid & that we were chasing shadows.
While Dunford admitted that there might have been some consultation on technical matters, the he said emphatically that the Bill was written by the politicians, not the LRB. In fact, in one newspaper article that we've included in your information package, he is quoted as saying the board had no role in drafting Bill 27.
But we weren't satisfied with those reassurances.
We had a hard time believing that the LRB had no documents related to Bill 27 or that all of them were covered by FOIP exemptions. So we did what was our right to do & we appealed the whole case to the information commissioner's office. And then, we waited.
And that's where things stood until late last week. On the evening of Wednesday, November 23, our lawyer received a letter and a few documents from the information commissioner's office - you'll find them in the package we've prepared for you.
There are only a few short documents here. But they prove what we have suspected all along & namely, that the independence of the LRB was compromised during the Bill 27 process.
What these documents show is not only that the LRB was playing an active role in drafting labour laws that they where only supposed to be policing and interpreting & the LRB was also actively working with employers to determine what the law should look like.
In the e-mail, dated March 11, 2003 and labelled number 50 by the information commissioner, Bruce Baugh (who is a government lawyer whose job it is to write legislation) says he has followed instructions from LRB Vice-chair Les Wallace.
And in the e-mail dated March 4, 2003 and labelled number 95 - Les Wallace himself provides an outline of what he says Bill 27 should look like. And he goes further. He says he has consulted with Damien Bailey, a senior lawyer from the firm McLellan and Ross - who act as counsel for a number of major health authorities. In particular, Wallace says he had discussions with Mr. Bailey about how the section of the regulation dealing with severance should be worded.
We've done some digging - and the section of Bill 27 they were talking about is the one that took away severance pay from a large group of Mental Health workers, who at the time were represented by the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees.
From our perspective, this is nothing short of a scandal.
What's happened here is that, the LRB abandoned its independence. It's supposed to be an independent, third party arbiter - but it allowed itself to essentially become another branch of government.
And even worse, it took advice and direction from employers who had a vested interest in watering down contracts for health care workers.
This is a clear violation of the central role of the Labour Relations Board. And it is a clear conflict of interest.
All of us in this room understand why all of this is upsetting for the labour movement. But for members of press let me use a sports analogy.
Here in Edmonton, we've just watched our football team win the Grey Cup. How would Eskimo fans feel if there were ten seconds on the clock, Edmonton is third and goal - and then the referee goes to the Montreal bench to consult on a crucial penalty call.
That's what's happened to union and working people in this case. The referee is helping the other side to win.
The government passed one of the most sweeping - and we would argue damaging and unfair - pieces of labour legislation in Alberta history. And, instead of remaining impartial, the LRB has consulted with the other team.
In effect, the Labour Relations Board has put itself in the position of writing the law to reflect the interests of employers and government, and then they've gone on to sit in judgement of that same law.
Unions in this province appear before the Board every day.
But, given these revelations, how can we have any confidence that we will be treated fairly? How can we have any confidence that the Board will be fair and impartial? How can we have any confidence that the referee is not working for the other team?
These are deeply troubling questions. And honestly, until such a time that confidence can be restored in the true independence of the board, there will be a crisis in labour relations in this province.
With that in mind - and in an effort to restore the confidence in the LRB that is necessary to make the system work - the AFL has called for a public inquiry.
We don't want an internal investigation or a review that's conducted behind closed doors.
We want an independent body to look at these documents and the many others that are clearly out there, but haven't been released. We want someone who can call witnesses and subpoena evidence. In short, we want a thorough, public investigation. And we want changes to make sure something like this never happens again.
This is a stain on our labour relations system in Alberta. The good news is that the problem is now out in the open. Now all that's need is the political will to deal with it and restore confidence in the system.
AFL Goes to Court to Defend Right to Documents
EDMONTON-There are a number of developments today in the scandal involving the Labour Relations Board's involvement in Bill 27. First, this afternoon, the Privacy Commissioner took the Alberta Federation of Labour to court to try to force the return of documents given to the AFL last week.
Earlier this morning, senior union leaders from across Alberta met to strategize what the labour movement should do about the breach of trust that has occurred. Third, the AFL received a letter from LRB Chair Mark Asbell attempting to explain their involvement, and the AFL responded by demanding the release of the rest of the documents related to Bill 27.
The Privacy Commissioner served notice late yesterday that they will be applying for an injunction to force the return of documents released to the AFL last week. "The Commissioner is asking us to return the documents we received, and to provide a list of to whom we have sent them," says AFL President Gil McGowan.
"Our reply continues to be 'no', and we will defend our right in court to these documents. Two years ago we applied to receive these and hundreds of other documents related to Bill 27, but have been stonewalled," notes McGowan. "The public's interest to know about inappropriate actions at the LRB override any possible privacy issues the LRB may raise."
"This is not about privacy. It is about the LRB hiding the truth from Albertans."
This morning, about 45 senior union leaders met to discuss what the labour movement should do about the revelations. They decided on a series of actions to put pressure on the Board, including:
- Signing an Open Letter to Ralph Klein demanding the resignations of Mark Asbell, Les Wallace and Nancy Schlesinger, and for a full public inquiry into the scandal
- Selecting a case to pursue a "reasonable apprehension of bias" claim in the courts, to achieve a ruling whether the Board is now compromised
- Other actions to be announced next week
Also, late yesterday, the AFL received a letter from LRB Chair Mark Asbell, attempting to explain that their role was merely "technical". The AFL replied with their own letter today.
"We told Mr. Asbell that his explanation was inadequate, as the memos clearly indicate more than a technical involvement. They drafted the regulations," says McGowan. "We believe even so-called 'technical' involvement is a breach of the LRB's role."
"We have written Mr. Asbell demanding that he release the hundreds of documents in question in our FOIP request. It is the ONLY way for the full truth to be known."
"If the LRB is so certain of the propriety of their involvement, then why are they fighting so hard to keep the documents secret?" asks McGowan. "Release them and let Albertans see what the LRB's role was."
"This scandal has rocked the labour relations system in Alberta. Continuing to hide and whitewash will only make it worse. The time for full disclosure is upon us."
Note: All the relevant documents, including letters, are available here.
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For more information contact:
Gil McGowan, AFL President at 780.915-4599 (cell) or 780.483-3021 (wk)
Correcting Clint
EDMONTON-The AFL responded today to comments from Clint Dunford regarding the released emails implicating key Labour Relations Board (LRB) in a scandal regarding the drafting of Bill 27.
"Either Minister Dunford doesn't get it, or he is continuing a game of whitewash," says AFL President Gil McGowan.
Late last week, the AFL received three documents as part of a privacy commissioner inquiry that prove that one of the LRB's Vice-Chairs, with the knowledge of the Chair and other Vice-Chair, prepared initial drafts of the controversial Bill 27 - which ripped up collective agreements and forced the merger of hundreds of bargaining units. These emails indicate that the LRB breached its role as the independent, neutral "court" for labour relations.
Dunford downplayed the emails yesterday - although admitting he had not seen them - saying the LRB was just providing "technical advice".
"Dunford's comments are absurd," retorts McGowan. "Anyone reading those emails can tell you more than 'technical advice' was being offered - Vice-Chair Les Wallace wrote the initial drafts of the regulations."
"The legislative counsel for Alberta Justice admitted he did not 'deviate' from Wallace's 'instructions' - this is far more than simple technical advice."
McGowan suggests Dunford is whitewashing the scandal. He notes that on September 3, 2003, Dunford was quoted in the Edmonton Sun as saying the LRB "weren't involved in the drafting of the legislation" (page 21).
"The emails prove Dunford was misleading the public in 2003, and I contend he continues to do so today."
McGowan also points out that even the offering of technical advice is a breach of the LRB's mandate. "They are the impartial court for labour relations - do we ask judges how to craft criminal law? No, because it is inappropriate to ask the person interpreting the law to also help create it. That is what happened here."
"Clearly Dunford doesn't understand the role of the LRB. He doesn't get it."
"The Premier doesn't get it either", adds McGowan. "His comments in the legislature yesterday equating a court hearing and a public inquiry are nonsense. The two processes are vastly different - and he knows it. Our court appeal is narrow and technical. What's needed is a broad review of the Board's impartiality that can only be accomplished with a public inquiry."
"This scandal has rocked the labour movement - we have long had doubts about the neutrality of the LRB, but these revelations prove to us that something is wrong at the Board," McGowan concludes.
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For more information contact:
Gil McGowan, AFL President at 780.915-4599 (cell) or 780.483-3021 (wk)
LRB "Biased and Compromised", says AFL
Documents received by the Alberta Federation of Labour show that key figures of the Labour Relations Board (LRB) breached their role by actively participating in the drafting of legislation, and by consulting with employer representatives about the content of draft legislation, says the Alberta Federation of Labour today.
The AFL received documents as part of a FOIP Commissioners Inquiry. The documents reveal that LRB Chair Mark Asbell, and Vice-Chair Les Wallace were actively involved in the drafting of Bill 27, the Labour Relations (Regional Health Authorities Restructuring) Amendment Act. Their participation in the process contravenes the role of the LRB, and places into serious jeopardy its independence.
The documents also suggest the LRB actively consulted with employer representatives in the drafting of the Bill - another contravention of its role that undermines impartiality.
"We have a 'smoking gun' that demonstrates a serious breach of the LRB's mandate," says AFL President Gil McGowan. "The actions of the two senior officials at the Board have allowed the LRB to become biased and compromised."
"We need a public inquiry to get to the bottom of how deeply compromised the LRB is," says McGowan. "The truth needs to come out." The AFL sent a letter today to Human Resources Minister Mike Cardinal demanding a public inquiry into the breach.
Today, the AFL received a letter from the lawyer for the Privacy Commissioner demanding the return of the documents received by the AFL - saying it got them in error. The AFL has responded by refusing to return the documents. The AFL's position is that it has a right to access these documents and there is a pressing public interest that requires full disclosure of the documents. Neither the Commissioner nor the LRB have not indicated what their next legal steps will be.
Following the receipt of the documents, the AFL sent them to its 350 affiliated union presidents, to update them on ongoing efforts to reveal the truth about the Bill 27 process. The AFL will be calling together senior union leaders in the next couple of days to discuss next steps.
The LRB, as an arms-length quasi-judicial body, has the mandate of interpreting and enforcing the Labour Relations Code. In performing its job, it must adhere to a strict policy of independence and neutrality. As the "court" for labour relations, it must avoid participating in the setting of government policy or regulations regarding labour relations. In other words, its job is to interpret the law, not make it.
"The documents we have received clearly show that the Vice-Chair of the LRB wrote the bill that the government used to attack health care unions," notes McGowan. "This says to me that the LRB has sided clearly with the employer - and destroyed any semblance of fairness in their dealings. For an LRB, this is unconscionable."
Bill 27 set in motion a process to reduce the number of bargaining units in health care. It led to a series of acrimonious and bitter run-off votes, cancelled longstanding collective agreements, removed the right to strike for community health and other workers, and denied nurse practitioners the right to join a union. It was widely seen as an anti-union piece of legislation.
"The LRB is the anchor of our modern labour relations system. If the parties can't trust its fairness and independence, the whole system is at risk. The actions of the LRB's senior officials have jeopardized trust in the system. This could have wide ranging implications." McGowan concludes.
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For more information contact:
Gil McGowan, AFL President at 780.915-4599 (cell) or 780.483-3021 (wk)
Alberta government hands responsibility for reforming health care to private insurance companies
EDMONTON - The Klein government's decision to put out a call for proposals to private insurance companies interested in covering public health services is an act of "breathtaking stupidity", says Gil McGowan, President of the Alberta Federation of Labour.
"They're talking about making sweeping changes to our health care system and they want profit-seeking private insurance companies to chart the course," says McGowan. "This is a betrayal of the public and an abrogation of government responsibility. What do you think these insurance companies will recommend? Whose best interests will they really be looking after?"
The government request for proposals was released to the insurance industry on August 30th, but only revealed to the public today. It calls for the creation of private insurance plans to cover a wide range of services currently covered by Medicare, including prescription drugs, long-term care, supplementary health services and "non-emergency" health services.
"We know that private insurance will end up costing Albertans more for health services," says McGowan. "This will particularly hurt Alberta employers, who are going to end up paying a lot more for employee health benefits. To continue to drive down a road that leads to nowhere is an act either of stupidity or deliberate political blindness."
"Do Albertans really want what is being offered here? Instead of going to a hospital, do we really want to have to go to 'HipMart' or 'Seniors R Us'? I don't think so," concludes McGowan.
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For more information
Gil McGowan, AFL President at 780-915-4599(cell)
More private health insurance will increase business costs and undermine "Alberta Advantage"
The Alberta government's decision today to expand the role for private health insurance will result in a less equal health system and millions of dollars in new costs for individual Albertans and Alberta businesses, says the new president of the Alberta Federation of Labour, Alberta's largest union organization.
"This government likes to brag about building the Alberta advantage. But what they've done today is exactly the opposite. They are creating an Alberta disadvantage," says Gil McGowan.
"They are setting up a situation where Alberta businesses will be on the hook for millions, maybe billions, in new costs for supplemental health benefits for employees. And individual Albertans are going to pay more too - either because they will have to pay for private insurance themselves or because they will be forced to pay higher deductible and co-payments under their employer's plans."
McGowan points out that Medicare has given Canadian businesses a huge advantage over their competitors south of the border. But he says that cost advantage will be eroded by the changes announced today.
"If the government thinks these changes are not going to increase costs for business, they are dreaming in technicolour," says McGowan.
"As a labour movement, our first preference is to maintain and defend the public system so everyone has access to high quality health care regardless of their income or where they work. But make no mistake - if the government creates a gap in coverage, we will bargain to fill that gap. And it won't just be us - employers won't have a choice but to fork out for extra coverage for much of their non-union staff as well, especially managerial and professional staff. The end result will be one big price tag for Alberta business."
McGowan says he doesn't understand how Alberta business leaders can allow their allies in government to make a decision like this - one that so clearly makes no business sense.
"Obviously, these guys in government can't be left unsupervised. It's time for someone to take them out to the woodshed."
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Long Waiting Lists the Problem, Not Public Health Care
The Alberta Federation of Labour, the province's largest labour organization, responded to the Supreme Court decision on health care today by urging governments to focus on the real problem, and not set up costly and inefficient private tiers.
"The Supreme Court Justices were clear that the problem in the Quebec case was the length of the wait, not the ban on private health care," says AFL President Gil McGowan. "This is a message to both Alberta and the Federal government that they need to do more to shorten waiting lists."
"Privatization will only compound the problem."
McGowan expressed concern, however, that the Klein Conservatives will use the decision to hasten their own privatization plans. "Even though the ruling has no effect on Alberta, I am worried that the Premier will use it as fuel for his privatization engine."
The Klein government has tried on repeated occasions to push greater private involvement in health care, usually to be told by Albertans they want no such thing. Private experiments, such as cataract surgery, have resulted in longer waiting lists in private facilities. "Albertans need to be vigilant in the coming months, and be ready to give a clear 'no' to Ralph Klein. We will be putting our membership on alert."
McGowan notes that the Justices note that private delivery will not solve the waiting list problem. In her reasons, Justice Marie Deschamps says "the relief sought by the appellants does not necessarily provide a complete response to the complex problem of waiting lists" (paragraph 100). This sentiment is echoed throughout the judgement.
"This is not a decision endorsing private health care. To the contrary, it is more of a repudiation of a decade of budget cutbacks and tight-fisted fiscal policies," notes McGowan.
"The right to reasonable access to health care is clear - now it is up to our governments to live up to it by properly funding Medicare," McGowan concludes.
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For more information contact:
Gil McGowan, AFL President at 915-4599 (cell)
Labour Federation Presidents hold parallel conference in Inuvik, NT
Inuvik, NT - Federation of Labour Presidents from across Western Canada and the Territories have arrived in Inuvik, NT to make their views clear to the Premiers of the 4 Western Provinces and 3 Northern Territories who are attending a Western Premiers Conference from July 7 - 9, 2004 in Inuvik.
Collectively representing nearly 1 million working families in their respective jurisdictions, Labour Federation Presidents from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon, Northwest Territories, & Nunavut are calling on the Premiers to adopt a unified position in support of Canadian not-for-profit healthcare and Medicare.
"We want the Premiers assembled here to take our message forward to the First Ministers conference with Prime Minister Martin later this year that Canadian citizens do not want U.S. American style 'for-profit' health care in our country", said Mary Lou Cherwaty, President of the host Northern Territories Federation of Labour.
"In addition to the Federation Presidents listed above, we are pleased to be joined at our parallel conference by Linda Silas, President of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions; Sheila Laity of the Union of Northern Workers; and Doug Workman of the Nunavut Employees Union," said Cherwaty.
"Collectively we represent close to 1,000,000 Canadian families - many of whom are experts from the Health Care sector - we think it's a marvelous opportunity for the Western Premiers to consult with us about the fixes required to ensure continuation of something that makes Canada unique - our national medicare system," Cherwaty concluded.
PRESIDENTS SIGN HEALTH PLEDGE
The Federation of Labour Presidents from the four western provinces and the three northern territories are meeting in Inuvik, NT at a parallel conference to the Western Premiers. Our primary focus is to protect and expand publicly funded and not-for-profit delivery of healthcare.
As a result of our discussions, we want the Western Premiers to promote:
1. Restoring federal funding to a minimum of 25%
2. Establishing a Territorial Health Care Fund
3. Ensuring provincial accountability for federal health care transfers
4. Reducing waiting lists by protecting and expanding public delivery of health care
5. Opposition to profit delivery of health care services
On Wednesday July 7, 2004, we will be signing a �Medicare Protection Pledge� designed by the Canadian Health Coalition, in order to highlight our commitment to the National Medicare Program. We will be joined by representatives from the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions, the NWT Status of Women Council, the Union of Northern Workers, and the Nunavut Employees Union.
This signing ceremony will take place at 7:00 pm in the Long-term Care Multi-purpose room at the Inuvik Regional Hospital, and all are welcome to attend.
For more information contact:
Federation of Labour Presidents
Rob Hilliard Manitoba (204) 782-1356
Larry Hubich Saskatchewan (306) 537-7330
Kerry Barrett Alberta (780) 720-8945
Jim Sinclair British Columbia (604) 908-3044
Mary Lou Cherwaty Northern Territories (867) 444-4567
Alex Furlong Yukon (867) 333-4033
Union of Northern Workers
Sheila Laity First Vice-President (867) 444-3456
Nunavut Employees Union
Doug Workman President (867) 979-2838
Canadian Federation of Nurses Union
Linda Silas President (613) 859-4314
Song and Dance Routine Continues
The Alberta Federation of Labour responded to the government health care plan today by noting that the real plan is being held under wraps until after the next provincial election, expected in the fall.
Today's announcement lacked any substantive indication of the direction they want to take health care says AFL President Kerry Barrett "The premier and health minister continue their song and dance routine. There is a lot of movement, but little forward progression. Unfortunately, the number is getting old."
"It is clear the Conservatives want to have a new majority safely in their back pocket before unveiling their real plans. Albertans deserve to see the plan now, not after an election."
Barrett's concern is heightened given that Health Minister Gary Mar refused to rule out private clinics and further expansion of P3 initiatives in health care. "They are playing a game with Albertans. While today's plan contains only vague platitudes, they continue to talk about expanded private health care. It makes me think the real agenda is yet to be released."
The vague plans for consultation are both a duplication of previous efforts, and will get lost in the activity of the municipal and provincial elections. "It is a sham consultation. All the government needs to do to find out what Albertans think is to read the Romanow report."
Barrett is pleased with the new money for Regional Health Authorities, but she notes that the new money does not address longer term reform for health care.
Barrett also noticed that the Conference Board of Canada report released by the government today focuses on the role of spiraling prescription drug costs. "The portion of our health system that is mostly private is the one place where costs are out of control. We need a pharmacare program to contain costs."
"The Premier is following the mantra 'once burned, twice shy' when it comes to health care. Having damaged Stephen Harper two weeks ago, he doesn't want to do the same thing to himself. As a result, he will hide his plans until the new year," observes Barrett.
"The Premier continues his dance routine. Too bad he has two right feet," Barrett concludes.
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For more information contact:
Kerry Barrett, AFL President at 780-720-8945 (cell) or
Jason Foster, AFL Director of Policy at 780-483-3021 (wk)
If Klein wants health reform, he should support Romanow blueprint
Premier Ralph Klein is up to his old tricks. Once again, he's trying to convince Albertans that Medicare is unsustainable and that the only way to "save" the system is to carve it up and hand it over to profit-seeking corporations.
Les Steel, president of the Alberta Federation of Labour, says it's time for Albertans to demand that Klein remove his "ideological blinders" when dealing with issues of health care delivery and reform.
"There's no doubt that our health system is facing some problems - largely resulting from poor planning by both federal and provincial governments," says Steel.
"But to say that privatization and two-tier health care are the only solutions for these problems is false and deliberately misleading. The truth is that there are many options for reform within the public system - reforms that are consistent with the spirit and intent of Medicare. That's what Albertans really want: they want public reform, not knee-jerk privatization."
Steel says that if Premier Klein really wants to save Medicare and improve the way health services are delivered, he should embrace the blueprint for reform outlined last year in Roy Romanow's highly-acclaimed report on the future of health care in Canada.
"Mr. Romanow did two very important things in his report," says Steel. "First, he debunked the myth that private health care is cheaper and that it can somehow 'relieve pressure' on the public system. Second, he gave us a detailed roadmap for strengthening Medicare by keeping it public. The fact that Premier Klein continues to reject the Romanow model says a lot about his government's real motives."
By refusing to consider public sector options for reform, Premier Klein - along with Conservative leadership hopeful Belinda Stronach who recently expressed similar sentiments - is going against the wishes and best interests of the majority of Canadians, says Steel.
"If one positive thing can be taken from Klein and Stronach's outrageous statements about gutting the Canada Health Act, it's that it reveals their true colours," says Steel. "All the evidence shows that public health care is cheaper, more equitable and is better for both individuals and the economy. By coming out against the Canada Health Act, Klein and Stronach are showing that they are willing to put blind ideology and the interest of a few large corporations ahead of the interests of the broader population. Let's hope that voters remember that at election time."
For further information, contact:
Les Steel, AFL President at (780) 499-4135
Gil McGowan, AFL Communications at (780) 483-3021