Alberta planning to privatize health care, Liberals charge

Province’s opposition produces leaked documents Tory minister says working papers don’t represent policy

EDMONTON— The Alberta government appears determined to privatize health-care services, even if it violates the Canada Health Act and threatens millions of dollars in federal funding, the opposition Liberals charged yesterday.

Health critic Laurie Blakeman said the proof is in leaked documents she believes were used recently to brief members of the Tory caucus on the government’s so- called Third Way for health care. One document, a hard copy of a slide presentation, discusses ways to remove barriers to private health insurance and allow doctors to practise in both the public and private systems. It suggests the government could introduce a notwithstanding provision to the Alberta Health Care Insurance Act to get around the federal requirement that doctors practise either under medicare or outside it, but not both.

“ I want to be very clear here: this is a violation of the Canada Health Act,” Blakeman told a news conference. The other document, titled Third Way Progress Update, says the government plans a public awareness campaign to “ shift public expectations from an ‘ entitlement to all’ perspective to a shared responsibility perspective.”

“ The consequences of this to Albertans is that you will pay substantially more for way less health care,” Blakeman said. “The government is acting contrary to the public interest and what Albertans have said they want, and they are using a massive PR campaign to manipulate and convince you that you are not entitled to public health care.”

Health Minister Iris Evans issued a statement saying the documents were working papers only.

“ They do not represent government policy,” Evans said. “ They do represent some of the options this government is currently exploring.” Evans said that before any decisions are made, the options need to be discussed with such groups as the Alberta Medical Association and the College of Physicians and Surgeons.

“I want to assure Albertans that when decisions are made, we will be making those decisions fully public.”

Premier Ralph Klein has said the Third Way won’t be unveiled until spring because the government wants to put a comprehensive package before the public.

Alberta’s plans could easily become a political football in the impending federal election, since NDP Leader Jack Layton has withdrawn his support for Prime Minister Paul Martin’s minority government over the public health- care issue.

Yesterday in Calgary, Klein sent a reminder to federal Conservative Leader Stephen Harper that he’s willing to help him in the next federal election. The premier, who did not campaign for the federal Tories in the 2004 election, said last April that the Liberal government sponsorship scandal so angered him that he was prepared to actively stump for Harper.

Klein said yesterday he doubts there’s a public appetite for another election around Christmas, but he’s prepared to promote Harper during a crossCanada speaking trip already set for later this month.

In Toronto, Harper appeared caught offguard by Klein’s offer.

“ I haven’t spoken to Mr. Klein,” Harper said. “ I will appreciate having his support in the next election — whatever role he plays.”