Conservatives must be held accountable for damaging health system

Alberta's NDP Opposition leader Brian Mason says only a change of government can undo the damage to Albertans' health system by the Conservatives.

"The Conservatives have had enough chances to improve our health system. Instead, they've ignored long-term care, created chaos with corporate-style management of health, and let down emergency patients in their time of need. Time is up for this Conservative government," Mason says.

Today's Health Quality Council report identifies severe issues with emergency wait times and doctor intimidation. But it does not delve into the role of Conservative politicians in the problems.

"we can and should make changes to the system to improve services. We'd work immediately to end the shortage of log term care beds that backs up our ERs, for example. But this Conservative government cannot be allowed to escape consequences for the mess they've made," Mason says. "This is why we need a public inquiry as a first step toward holding the Conservative government accountable."