Alberta NDP Releases Election Promises, Vows to Fix Health Care Crisis

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley speaks during an announcement in Edmonton on Dec. 2, 2018. Jason Franson/The Canadian Press

Alberta New Democrat Party leader Rachel Notley said fixing the health care crisis is her top priority.

“If you need a doctor, you will get a doctor,” Notley pledged. The party has committed that “within 10 years, up to one million more Albertans will have access to a doctor within a day or two.”

“Here are some of my commitments,” Notley said on May 2. “Launching the largest healthcare recruitment campaign in Alberta history. Building the Red Deer Hospital expansion. Connecting one million more Albertans with a family doctor.”

Notley said if elected, she would “bring transformational changes to public healthcare,” and ensure doctors worked more evenings and weekends. She has also promised free birth control pills and other contraceptives, as well as a “Healthcare Innovation Challenge Fund” with an initial NDP government investment of $75 million over three years.

The fund’s purpose is to “prioritize the procurement, scaling, and deployment of innovative solutions in health care settings across Alberta Health Services.”

Notley and the NDP have stated they will “legislate protection” of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) “by passing a law preventing any Alberta government from leaving the plan.”

“An Alberta NDP government will stay in the Canada Pension Plan, expand private workplace pensions, reform governance of public sector pensions plans,” the party stated.

In a May 2 video, Notley said, “We will lower costs for families so they can keep a roof over their heads, put food on the kitchen table and put a little money away, for a much needed and well-deserved family vacation.”

The NDP’s platform includes “Family Health Teams,” which the party said would provide “access to a family doctor and a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, including nurse practitioners, mental health therapists, pharmacists, social workers, dietitians, and other allied health professionals.”

Notley said her party would invest $350 million to establish 40 new Family Health Clinics and $400 million to hire 4,000 health professionals.

The NDP has also said it will pass the “Eastern Slopes Protection Act,” “which will ban coal mining projects in the Rocky Mountains and surrounding areas.”

“Our watersheds must be protected from destructive strip mining and the harmful pollution that comes with it,” said the NDP.

In some areas of the NDP campaign, details are lacking for now.

For example, on the issue of housing, the party said, “Alberta’s NDP will be releasing a clear plan to tackle the immense housing challenges facing Alberta communities today.”

The NDP has vowed to deliver universal broadband internet access to all Albertans by 2027. The party said if elected, it would hire 150 police officers in major centres, as well as 150 social workers and other counsellors. The NDP has vowed to keep the RCMP in the province.