Alberta 2019 Election Campaign

Alberta New Democratic Party (NDP) 2019 Election Platform United Conservative Party (UCP) Platform: Getting Alberta Back to Work Alberta Party Position Statements Alberta Liberal Platform and Policy Reviews

Question 1 response: The United Conservatives believe Albertans deserve better from our health care system. As noted, Alberta spends more than any of the other provinces and territories on health care, and still wait times are growing and patient outcomes are lackluster. A United Conservative government would ensure patients are at the center of the health care system. We will cut surgical wait times, make major investments to reverse Alberta’s opioid crisis, support mental health, and improve both primary and palliative care for Albertans. A United Conservative government would maintain or increase health care spending over four years and, if elected, within 30 days of being sworn-in would commission an audit of Alberta Health Services (AHS) to identify efficiencies and ensure our provincial health care system is there for all Albertans. Further, we will reduce wait times to no more than four months in four years by replicating elements of the highly successful Saskatchewan model for health care reform, the Saskatchewan Surgical Initiative (SSI). A United Conservative government would be committed to ensuring Albertans receive the highest quality health care possible. More details on our health care plan are available in our platform, which can be found here. Question 2 response: If elected, a United Conservative government will seek to ensure all Albertans have access to the prescription medications they need. Since the federal government has not yet introduced their national pharmacare program, it is difficult for us to comment. A United Conservative government would ensure that stakeholders are consulted and that we advocate on behalf of the best interests of Albertans if and when the federal government introduces a national pharmacare program. Yes. A United Conservative government would consult with all stakeholders on how to move forward with national pharmacare. Question 3 response: A United Conservative government recognizes that rehabilitation services are an important part of recovery for patients that need them. While we have not commented on this topic specifically, we would welcome stakeholder input on this issue and would seek to ensure that Albertans receive the highest quality health care possible. If elected, the United Conservative government would welcome the opportunity to connect with important stakeholders, like the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network.

Good morning,

Thank you for your email.

If the Alberta Party forms government, we will be looking at all avenues to secure proper healthcare for all Albertans through many different means, including finding efficiency and innovative technologies. As a party we support the health and well-being of all Albertans and will defend their right to affordable and accessible health care.

Campaign Office of Marvin Olsen
Alberta Party Candidate – Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville

Thank you for contacting me. I appreciate your efforts to support Cancer Survivors and their families. If the Alberta Party forms Government, we will be looking at all avenues to secure proper healthcare for all Albertans through many different means, including finding efficiency and innovative technologies. As a party, we support the health and well-being of all Albertans and will defend their right to affordable and accessible health care. Take care, Wayne Rufiange | Candidate for Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock

Hello, Thank you for reaching out to me regarding this horrible projection. This is extremely worrisome for all Albertans, and I definitely promote more research and development in terms of treatment and cures. If elected, the Green Party of Alberta would advocate for universal pharmacare, dental, and improved mental healthcare to be included in our universal healthcare system, along with other, currently uninsured healthcare services. We also promote the implementation of a Guaranteed Annual Income, which would help alleviate some of the financial strain on our healthcare system, etc., allowing for more funding to be allocated to research and development, for instance. I believe I answered this in the previous answer, but yes, the Green Party of Alberta supports universal healthcare, and if we can’t make it happen provincially, we’d definitely like to see a federal universal healthcare plan implemented, with minimal restrictions. A Green Party provincial government would definitely research and inquire with Albertans affected by cancer to see the best way to develop policies and strategies, to ensure fair coverage and accessibility to treatment, without exclusion. As we at the Green Party of Alberta believe in complete universal healthcare, we would definitely strive to provide free and available rehabilitation services to cancer survivors and their families, as there is a lack of quality mental healthcare currently throughout the province, that needs major improving. This also means creating more access to mental healthcare, especially within rural communities. If elected as MLA of Morinville – St. Albert, I would be honoured to serve on the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network’s All-party Cancer Caucus, as I believe knowledge is power, and finding out everything we can about cancer is extremely important to developing treatment, and hopefully a cure. I will personally be looking at writing policy within the Green Party regarding cancer and the related issues that surround it, and you can definitely count on my support regarding this unfortunate disease. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do. Thank you again, for bringing this important issue to my attention, Cass Romyn Green Party of Alberta Morinville – St. Albert

Greetings and salutations!

Thank you very kindly for giving me the opportunity to response to the vital issues that you have raised through the survey that you submitted to our campaign recently.

Please find my answers pasted below.

Kind regards,

Chris Alders
2019 Green Party of Alberta Candidate for Edmonton – City Centre

Taanishi ~ Hello

Thank you for your important questions, please note that these specific topics are addressed in the policy platform of the Green Party of Alberta. https://greenpartyofalberta.ca/policies/#area-13

Question 1 response:

• If elected, what steps will your government take to strengthen the publicly-funded healthcare system in Alberta?

If elected The Green Party of Alberta will focus on removing barriers to accessing public health such as access to facilities, transportation, childcare and other support services. We support the inclusion of basic dental care in the services covered by AHS.As well as supporting a preventative approach to healthcare which includes prevention of illness through the elimination of poverty and homelessness and the adoption and enforcement of environmental policies that will keep our air, water and land free from contaminants which cause disease.

Question 2 response:

• If elected, will your government support the implementation of a national pharmacare program that guarantees access to prescription medicines and a coverage plan that goes beyond a formulary that meets the lowest common denominator?

Yes, both the Green Party of Alberta, and the Green Party of Canada support a national pharmacare program to improve access to prescription medications by negotiating a national plan with pharmaceutical distributors.

• Will your government consult Albertan patients, survivors and caregivers on how to move forward with national pharmacare?

As this is a federal level issue we would advise patients, survivors and caregivers to review the platform of the Green Party of Canada, we encourage them to support them as federal candidates in the upcoming federal election this October. Additional Green seats in the House of Commons will bring attention to this important issue. Provincially elected members of the Green Party of Alberta will also encourage the Alberta Government to lobby the federal government to support a national pharamacare initiative. 

Question 3 response:

• If elected to government, how will you ensure that cancer survivors have timely access to rehabilitation services in Alberta that are timely and free?

I personally believe the greatest barriers to accessing rehabilitation services in Alberta is the cost of living support extended to survivors.  By ensuring all Albertan’s have access to Basic Living Income as an option for supporting their living needs during the recovery process, it will ensure they are not rushed back to work simply to meet their basic income needs.  Encouraging them to access recovery services which already exist throughout the province.I support expanding rehabilitation services for cancer survivors, however would need additional information on which services are lacking in which communities to properly address how to expand these free services where needed. I also strongly support strengthening and expanding peer-support networks for cancer survivors, family of those diagnosed with cancer, terminal patients and end-of-life planning across the province, as community support is one of the key ways to reduce isolation some patients and their families experience.

• If elected as an MLA, would you be interested in serving on the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network’s All-party Cancer Caucus which meets twice a year and is currently studying gaps in rehabilitation services in Alberta and how to fill them?

Yes.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my views on the important topic of cancer and cancer survivors.This topic is near to my heart as my Father is a cancer survivor and I am aware of the barriers he faced during his treatment and recovery.

Best Heather Morigeau 

Thank you for contacting me regarding Green Party of Alberta Policies. The Green Party of Alberta is committed to a publicly funded universal health care system. In this email I have included a link to our party policies. https://greenpartyofalberta.ca/policies/#area-13 Question 1 response: 

“The Green Party of Alberta is strongly in favour of maintaining a publicly-funded, government-operated health care system.”

“The Green Party of Alberta supports a preventative approach to healthcare.”

The Green Party expects health care costs to continue to grow as our population ages. That means increased funding for our public care facilities as well expansion of current care capacity. Our platform does not include any specific promises for new facilities or expansion. However, we do not see how cutbacks to the healthcare system can be made.

I place in to high regard the need for far greater input from Albertans so that we may undertake necessary expansions in order to ensure timely care for all patients.

Question 2 response:

“The Green Party of Alberta supports changes that would see the cost of prescription drugs covered by our provincial healthcare program. The Green Party recognizes that the costs to government of providing pharmacare will be less if implementation of this program is put in place and coordinated across the country. For example, the provinces will be able to get a better price on many drugs if they purchase them jointly rather than province by province. Accordingly, the Green Party strongly supports a pan-Canadian approach to implementation of pharmacare but wants to see the province of Alberta show leadership on this issue.”

As far I am concerned if you don’t have Pharamacare then you don’t have health care. I don’t see how Canada can respect the principles of universal health care and not have government funded pharmaceuticals.

The Green Party of Alberta states that it intends to show leadership on this issue. I think the best way for Alberta to show leadership is to implement a Provincial Pharmacare plan. In this manner the rest of the country can have model to start from.

Question 3 response:

Early diagnosis and treatment of cancer is vital to reducing the mortality rate of cancer. Currently in Alberta Cancer treatment time are measured in Months. This is unacceptable. Cancer treatment time should be available within a few week upon diagnosis.

I also want to see a specific set goals set by the government to reduce cancer mortality to its lowest possible rate as soon as it can be accomplished.

I would also like to see the rapid implementation of new procedures.

If elected, I would absolutely love to join a All-party Cancer Caucus. More over I would like to see the results of this Caucus form a vital part of Green Party of Alberta health care policies in the future.

Sincerely, Stuart Andrews Green Party of Alberta Candidate ED44

Question 1 response: The Green Party of Alberta supports publicly-funded, government-operated healthcare and would like to provide stability and predictability to Albertans by introducing a sales tax.  This would help Albertans get off the resource roller-coaster and fund expanded healthcare services no matter what the price of oil is.  Having the revenue we can count on would strengthen the healthcare system within Alberta because we could ensure proper budgeting, as well as work towards free healthcare including dental and pharmacare. Question 2 response: The Green Party of Alberta would ensure Albertans have timely access to prescription drugs by including pharmacare in our healthcare system.  We support complete drug coverage for everyone under the healthcare system.  We understand that medications would cost less if bought at a national level, and support a pan-Canadian approach to pharmacare to reduce the costs of prescription medication and would like to see Alberta as a leader in this approach. Question 3 response: As mentioned in the previous answers, by having free, publicly-funded and government-operated healthcare, any Albertan, including cancer survivors, would have timely access to rehabilitation services.  If I am elected to be the MLA of my riding, I would be interested in serving on the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network’s All-party Cancer Caucus to looking to ways to reduce and fill the gaps in rehabilitation services. Jenn Roach Green Party of Alberta

Question 1 response:

The Alberta Liberals are running on a robust platform to improve public health in Alberta. Our healthcare strategy is to spend smartly and invest in areas that will drive down long term costs.

Highlights of our plan include: - $100 million annually for Preventative Care - $250 million over 4 years for Long-Term Care, Home Care and Assisted Living. -  $600 million annually for for Mental Health and Addictions. -  An EMS strategy to reach a target of 15 minute hallway wait times for EMS Workers. -  An overdose strategy founded on the four pillars strategy.

Question 2 response: Our party absolutely supports a national pharmacare program. We understand that it is not only crucial to providing all Albertans coverage but to reduce the overall costs of drugs. We will make it a priority of our discussions and negotiations with the Federal Government to see a national program implemented. We will consult in order to determine the best ways to move forward with implementing a national pharmacare plan. Question 3 response:

Question 1 response: The Alberta Liberals will reduce the cost of our healthcare system by spending smartly in the areas that drive down long term costs. We need to invest in continuing and preventative care. It’s less costly to keep people healthy than it is to treat them when they’re sick. continuing care spaces are less expensive than keeping people in acute care yet we many in need of continuing care are left in acute care due to a lack of spaces. Our plan will: - Create 2, 200 new long-term care space. - Invest $150 million into home care and assisted living. - Invest $100 million into Preventative Care - Create a Preventative Care task force to explore best practices in fields like nutrition, health education, screening, prevention, and team-based community care. - Reduce costs by cutting the number of middle managers at AHS. There is too much administrative burden in our healthcare system. We need to reduce the number of middle managers. Long-term bed promise will costs $92 million ($23 mill annually) Homecare/Assisted living: ($37.5 mill annually) Preventive care investment timeline will be dependent on the task force findings. “We are prepared to spend more or less depending on the results.” Why more beds than the NDP have Promised? We need to get this critical health infrastructure in place to drive down long term costs and meet people’s needs. Only 52 per cent of people are being placed in continuing care within 30 days of assessment. 65 per cent is the Government goal. According to a 2011 study Cost of Care Survey acute care is about 4x as expensive as home care and is over twice as expensive as long-term care. The task force will examine best practices in nutrition, health education, screening and prevention as well as greater focus on bringing team-based community care. A 1% increase in prevention funding would yield tremendous cost savings and save lives. The greatest determinant of health is behavioural patterns. Despite this, the majority of healthcare expenditure has been on medical treatments, and not health promotion and other strategies that aim to prevent the need for medical care. In 2013, only 5.1% of the total healthcare expenditure in Canada was for public health, which encompasses activities related to health promotion and prevention. A 2013 study by the World Health Organization (WHO) that reviewed the clinical and academic literature found strong evidence to invest in health promotion and disease prevention. The “Grey Wave” that is coming is actually biggest long term fiscal threat to Alberta. We can’t talk about fairness to future generations without talking about sustainable healthcare. If we don’t start acting now it may be too late. We are already behind the curve in dealing with this oncoming crisis. Question 2 response: The Alberta Liberals will work the Federal Government and our partners in confederation on the implementation of a national pharmacare plan that provides access to affordable drugs for all Albertans. Medication is a critical part of healthcare.Our system is not truly universal without it.We need to work with other provinces to create a national pharmacare strategy. Canadians could save between 10% and 42%—up to $10.7 billion—of total drug expenditures with a universal system. That’s about a billion in savings for Alberta.  Question 3 response: Surviving cancer can leave a host of problems in its wake. Physical, emotional, and financial hardships often persist for years after diagnosis and treatment.   Please see the responses for Healthcare as I feel that this would be one and the same. As I have had a person very dear to me pass away from Cancer I feel there is more that we can do for this with keeping our healthcare strong and introducing PharmaCare If elected as an MLA, would you be interested in serving on the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network’s All-party Cancer Caucus which meets twice a year and is currently studying gaps in rehabilitation services in Alberta and how to fill them? I would like to be a part of this. If anything I would like to see the group meet more frequently as well as this is a growing concern that effects a lot of people. Amy Yates Alberta Liberal Candidate Taber Warner

We are in support of any patient diagnosed with cancer. I personally work for it and try to accommodate all patients for medications.

– Anwar Kamaran – Liberal Party Cypress-Medicine Hat

Hi, There has been be tremendous increase in cancer patients. We will fight against it. Please see the responses below - If elected, what steps will your government take to strengthen the publicly-funded healthcare system in Alberta? Answer: We will reduce wait times. Ensure easy and affordable access to health care. - If elected, will your government support the implementation of a national pharmacare program that guarantees access to prescription medicines and a coverage plan that goes beyond a formulary that meets the lowest common denominator? Answer: We support a national pharmacare program. I think it’s one of the best things that can be implemented. - Will your government consult Albertan patients, survivors and caregivers on how to move forward with national pharmacare? Answer: Yes, we will consult Albertan patients. We will educate them and guide them as to how they will benefit with national pharmacare. If elected to government, how will you ensure that cancer survivors have timely access to rehabilitation services in Alberta that are timely and free? Answer: We will follow up with patients, provide them updates. Explain alternatives, provide effective treatments and ensure recovery. Alternative medicine, natural herbs and treatment, lifestyle changes and holistic living will be encouraged. - If elected as an MLA, would you be interested in serving on the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network’s All-party Cancer Caucus which meets twice a year and is currently studying gaps in rehabilitation services in Alberta and how to fill them? Answer: Yes. My priorities include to incorporate other forms of treatment which have been scientifically proven beneficial and make them available to patients. Chandan Tadavalkar Liberal Party – Calgary-Beddington

Hello, Thank you so much for your email. I am a nonprofit leader and advocate and working with children with disabilities and illnesses that are most vulnerable in the public education system. I have been advocating for the preventative healthcare. Personally I created network of trusted professionals who would address the issues of early screening and testing. The Alberta Liberals will reduce the cost of our healthcare system by spending smartly in the areas that drive down long term costs. We need to invest in continuing and preventative care. It’s less costly to keep people healthy than it is to treat them when they’re sick. continuing care spaces are less expensive than keeping people in acute care yet we many in need of continuing care are left in acute care due to a lack of spaces. Our plan will:

• Create 2, 200 new long-term care space.
• Invest $150 million into home care and assisted living.
• Invest $100 million into Preventative Care
• Create a Preventative Care task force to explore best practices in fields like nutrition, health education, screening, prevention and team-based community care.
• Reduce costs by cutting the number of middle managers at AHS.

Also speaking to the preventative care I personally advocated for many years to reduce environmental factor and it entered into the platform as reducing use of pesticides, herbicides and certain insecticides that are proven to be cancerogenic. The Alberta Liberals will work the Federal Government and our partners in confederation on the implementation of a national pharmacare plan that provides access to affordable drugs for all Albertans. We will invest into rehabilitation services and as well address the issues of disability benefits indexing AISH to inflation rate, raising FSCD supports and creating service teams to help children be included in the schools and the community despite their battle with cancer and adjusting education to their needs. We are also investing historic 500000000 into mental health services. A lot of children and adults that battled the cancer are left with emotional trauma and are at the risk of developing depression. Having those supports will advance mental recovery and help people to get back on their feet. I would be honoured to serve on Canadian Cancer Survivor Network’s All-party Cancer Caucus and implement the proposed changes. I work every day with children who are directly affected and we need to take strong stance in the issue in order for the next generation to be healthier. If you would like to meet or discuss how we can collaborate don’t hesitate to contact me. I will be happy to help with anything I can. Sincerely, Maria Omar

Question 1 response: Rachel Notley and the NDP believe investing in quality-public healthcare is one of the most important things a government can do. Over the last four years, the NDP government has been fighting to make sure our loved ones get high quality care. We have provided much needed stability to the healthcare system. Instead of a health system lurching from one crisis to another, we have provided stable increases, while finding efficiencies and we’ve directed these savings to the front lines. If re-elected, Rachel Notley and the NDP will keep fighting to make sure our loved ones get the care they need. We will continue to provide stable healthcare funding to meet the province’s growing population needs, while containing administrative and managerial costs. We will take action to lower wait times in emergency rooms and for cataract, heart and cancer surgeries. We will build an additional 2,000 long-term and dementia care beds to make sure our seniors are well taken care of. Finally, we will also strengthen regulations governing private clinics to prevent double-dipping, queue jumping and prevent any costly and reckless privatization experiments. As Premier, Rachel Notley will continue fighting for high-quality, public health care. Question 2 response: Rachel Notley and the NDP believe that no one should have to choose between paying for their prescriptions or filling their fridge. We believe a national pharmacare program would be a positive addition to Canada’s Medicare net. We support the ongoing discussions to about a national pharmacare program and if re-elected we will working to work with our partners across the country on this program to ensure it meets the needs of Albertans. In the meantime, Rachel Notley and the NDP, if re-elected, will take action to help four out of five seniors with the costs of their prescriptions. We will save the average senior $200 a year by removing all prescription drug co-payments for seniors who earn less than $75,000. As Premier, Rachel Notley will keep fighting for affordable prescriptions for all Albertans. Question 3 response: Rachel Notley and the NDP are fighting for a future in which no one gets left behind. Over the last four years, the NDP government has invested in healthcare to ensure our families get the high-quality health care services they need. We’ve provided stable funding for health and we are investing in new hospitals, including the Calgary Cancer Centre. We have also been working to improve mental health supports in the province, guided by Valuing Mental Health. If reelected, Rachel Notley and the NDP will continue to invest in our healthcare system. The most effective way we can ensure cancer survivors can get better access to rehabilitation services is to make sure the health care system as a whole is stable and well-funded. We are committed to having discussions with cancer survivors, their families and communities to discuss ways in which services for these Albertans could be improved.

Question 1 response: 

Rachel Notley and the NDP believe investing in quality-public healthcare is one of the most important things a government can do. Over the last four years, the NDP government has been fighting to make sure our loved ones get high quality care. We have provided much needed stability to the healthcare system. Instead of a health system lurching from one crisis to another, we have provided stable increases, while finding efficiencies and we’ve directed these savings to the front lines.

If re-elected, Rachel Notley and the NDP will keep fighting to make sure our loved ones get the care they need. We will continue to provide stable healthcare funding to meet the province’s growing population needs, while containing administrative and managerial costs. We will take action to lower wait times in emergency rooms and for cataract, heart and cancer surgeries. We will build an additional 2,000 long-term and dementia care beds to make sure our seniors are well taken care of. Finally, we will also strengthen regulations governing private clinics to prevent double-dipping, queue jumping and prevent any costly and reckless privatization experiments. As Premier, Rachel Notley will continue fighting for high-quality, public health care.

Question 2 response:

Rachel Notley and the NDP believe that no one should have to choose between paying for their prescriptions or filling their fridge. We believe a national pharmacare program would be a positive addition to Canada’s Medicare net. We support the ongoing discussions to about a national pharmacare program and if re-elected we will working to work with our partners across the country on this program to ensure it meets the needs of Albertans.

In the meantime, Rachel Notley and the NDP, if re-elected, will take action to help four out of five seniors with the costs of their prescriptions. We will save the average senior $200 a year by removing all prescription drug co-payments for seniors who earn less than $75,000. As Premier, Rachel Notley will keep fighting for affordable prescriptions for all Albertans.

Question 3 response: Rachel Notley and the NDP are fighting for a future in which no one gets left behind. Over the last four years, the NDP government has invested in healthcare to ensure our families get the high-quality health care services they need. We’ve provided stable funding for health and we are investing in new hospitals, including the Calgary Cancer Centre. We have also been working to improve mental health supports in the province, guided by Valuing Mental Health. If re- elected, Rachel Notley and the NDP will continue to invest in our healthcare system. The most effective way we can ensure cancer survivors can get better access to rehabilitation services is to make sure the health care system as a whole is stable and well-funded. We are committed to having discussions with cancer survivors, their families and communities to discuss ways in which services for these Albertans could be improved. Shannon Dunfield Campaign

Question 1 response: 

Rachel Notley and the NDP believe investing in quality-public healthcare is one of the most important things a government can do. Over the last four years, the NDP government has been fighting to make sure our loved ones get high quality care. We have provided much needed stability to the healthcare system. Instead of a health system lurching from one crisis to another, we have provided stable increases, while finding efficiencies and we’ve directed these savings to the front lines.

If re-elected, Rachel Notley and the NDP will keep fighting to make sure our loved ones get the care they need. We will continue to provide stable healthcare funding to meet the province’s growing population needs, while containing administrative and managerial costs. We will take action to lower wait times in emergency rooms and for cataract, heart and cancer surgeries. We will build an additional 2,000 long-term and dementia care beds to make sure our seniors are well taken care of. Finally, we will also strengthen regulations governing private clinics to prevent double-dipping, queue jumping and prevent any costly and reckless privatization experiments. As Premier, Rachel Notley will continue fighting for high-quality, public health care.

Question 2 response:

Rachel Notley and the NDP believe that no one should have to choose between paying for their prescriptions or filling their fridge. We believe a national pharmacare program would be a positive addition to Canada’s Medicare net. We support the ongoing discussions to about a national pharmacare program and if re-elected we will working to work with our partners across the country on this program to ensure it meets the needs of Albertans.

In the meantime, Rachel Notley and the NDP, if re-elected, will take action to help four out of five seniors with the costs of their prescriptions. We will save the average senior $200 a year by removing all prescription drug co-payments for seniors who earn less than $75,000. As Premier, Rachel Notley will keep fighting for affordable prescriptions for all Albertans.

Question 3 response: Rachel Notley and the NDP are fighting for a future in which no one gets left behind. Over the last four years, the NDP government has invested in healthcare to ensure our families get the high-quality health care services they need. We’ve provided stable funding for health and we are investing in new hospitals, including the Calgary Cancer Centre. We have also been working to improve mental health supports in the province, guided by Valuing Mental Health. If re- elected, Rachel Notley and the NDP will continue to invest in our healthcare system. The most effective way we can ensure cancer survivors can get better access to rehabilitation services is to make sure the health care system as a whole is stable and well-funded. We are committed to having discussions with cancer survivors, their families and communities to discuss ways in which services for these Albertans could be improved.