Provincial government ignores Albertans
As the Official Opposition Critic of Culture, you
would expect me to write about the arts, plays, festivals, parades, museums, and
cultural groups. It is one of the reasons I love my job as an MLA, because it
truly is a great job, but it comes with a great responsibility.
Unfortunately I currentlyÊfind myself dealing with a culture of corruption and entitlement instead. I am not talking about Alberta's culture, I am talking about the culture of the current PC government.Ê
For example, there was a rally in CarmangayÊJuly 30, where hundreds of areaÊresidents showed their support to keep the Little Bow Continuing Care Centre open, which specializes in dementia and Alzheimer's patients. In attendance at the rally was the Leader of the Wildrose Official Opposition, Danielle Smith, local Wildrose MLA Ian Donovan,Êplus five members of the Wildrose Official Opposition, including myself. Edmonton-Calder NDP MLA David Eggen, President Guy Smith with the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, countless municipal officials, and even former PC MLA Barry McFarland were also in attendance. We all stood together, in unison, for keeping this vital facility open.
In all of this, no sitting PC MLA was in attendance, and no one from the current government was even there to address the concerns of those gathered. When did Albertans lose their right to be heard? It's shameful that the current government ignores the voices of Albertans, and it's shameful that the current government thinks they are allowed to get away with it.
Many attendees spoke about a lack of respect and transparency from the current government. They told us how the PC government is bullying and intimidating, pitting patients against their families and their caregivers. This is wrong. In the Legislature, we stand up for freedom and democracy. We stand up for transparency and fairness. It is deplorable that the PC government will not listen to what Albertans have to say.
Carmangay may be a small village in rural Alberta, but it speaks to everything that is Albertan.Ê There was a problem that needed a solution, and they found one that is efficient, effective, and doesn't require layers of bureaucracy.ÊMost of all though, it is done with care, kindness, and compassion, and they've been doing it for over half a century. To close this facility will be harmful for patients, families, caregivers, and for all of Carmangay.
At a time when Alberta needs more facilities like this, how can the PCs close it?ÊHow can those who voted PC stand back and say this is why they voted PC, to close care centres that look after the most fragile and vulnerable in society? What hospital or school is next?
I don't believe for a moment this is what PC voters signed up for when they marked an "X "on the ballot, but what these voters should do is contact their PC MLAs, the Minister of Health, and the premier to stop this madness now.
ÊThere is no room in Alberta for this type of culture. Ê
Blake Pedersen
Medicine Hat
(The writer is MLA for Medicine Hat)
Unfortunately I currentlyÊfind myself dealing with a culture of corruption and entitlement instead. I am not talking about Alberta's culture, I am talking about the culture of the current PC government.Ê
For example, there was a rally in CarmangayÊJuly 30, where hundreds of areaÊresidents showed their support to keep the Little Bow Continuing Care Centre open, which specializes in dementia and Alzheimer's patients. In attendance at the rally was the Leader of the Wildrose Official Opposition, Danielle Smith, local Wildrose MLA Ian Donovan,Êplus five members of the Wildrose Official Opposition, including myself. Edmonton-Calder NDP MLA David Eggen, President Guy Smith with the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, countless municipal officials, and even former PC MLA Barry McFarland were also in attendance. We all stood together, in unison, for keeping this vital facility open.
In all of this, no sitting PC MLA was in attendance, and no one from the current government was even there to address the concerns of those gathered. When did Albertans lose their right to be heard? It's shameful that the current government ignores the voices of Albertans, and it's shameful that the current government thinks they are allowed to get away with it.
Many attendees spoke about a lack of respect and transparency from the current government. They told us how the PC government is bullying and intimidating, pitting patients against their families and their caregivers. This is wrong. In the Legislature, we stand up for freedom and democracy. We stand up for transparency and fairness. It is deplorable that the PC government will not listen to what Albertans have to say.
Carmangay may be a small village in rural Alberta, but it speaks to everything that is Albertan.Ê There was a problem that needed a solution, and they found one that is efficient, effective, and doesn't require layers of bureaucracy.ÊMost of all though, it is done with care, kindness, and compassion, and they've been doing it for over half a century. To close this facility will be harmful for patients, families, caregivers, and for all of Carmangay.
At a time when Alberta needs more facilities like this, how can the PCs close it?ÊHow can those who voted PC stand back and say this is why they voted PC, to close care centres that look after the most fragile and vulnerable in society? What hospital or school is next?
I don't believe for a moment this is what PC voters signed up for when they marked an "X "on the ballot, but what these voters should do is contact their PC MLAs, the Minister of Health, and the premier to stop this madness now.
ÊThere is no room in Alberta for this type of culture. Ê
Blake Pedersen
Medicine Hat
(The writer is MLA for Medicine Hat)
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