Fraser eyes more collaboration
During several years as a paramedic, Rick Fraser said he saw too many instances when arbitrary barriers kept people from working more closely together.
Rigid lines between professional groups and unions are standing in the way of finding new ways of tackling many of the issues faced by the overburdened health-care system, said Fraser, elected Monday night to represent Calgary-south East for the PCS.
“Those labour lines impede people from cohabitating and collaborating,” said Fraser, who worked nearly 10 years as a Calgary-area paramedic and three years in Hobbema before that.
While Fraser’s experience as an emergency responder has made him a believer in greater collaboration in medicine, he said it can be applied in many other sectors.
“I think we can be far more innovative,” he said.
It’s a particular need in Calgary-South East, which encompasses several rapidly growing suburban communities clamouring for schools and other services.
As an example, Fraser said school buildings could double as community centres during off-hours, with facilities being used or rented for events and classes — and generat- ing money.
Fraser, 40, recently headed the union local representing Calgaryarea paramedics.
Holding the post as the province moved from regional ambulance service to a provincial EMS service, Fraser said he gained a level of comfort moving in political spheres.
“It threw me in the middle of discussions with the MLAS and the premiers,” he said.