Commencing the fourth session of the 30th legislature, the Throne Speech from the United Conservative Party (UCP) swore to address key issues afflicting Alberta and its working class. Affordability, strengthening the economy by increasing jobs and improving the health care systems were named as top priorities for the Alberta government.
With inflation hurting Albertans, these commitments sound promising. However, the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) is skeptical about Premier Danielle Smith’s action plan especially considering the party’s history of wage stagnation, subpar handling of public health issues and plans for health care privatization. Representing over 95,000 Albertan workers in health care, education boards, government and other public sectors, AUPE said the Throne Speech overlooked many issues their members are facing.
“It was a speech that lacked more than what it actually contained. What it contained was a bit of a source of concern for us,” said Sandra Azocar, executive vice president of AUPE in an interview with rabble.ca.
According to Azocar, the Throne Speech overlooked education and senior care, two sectors that many AUPE members work in. While the UCP did promise to improve the health care system, the speech failed to acknowledge any of the core issues that were painfully revealed during the pandemic. Improving senior care, for instance, can alleviate stress on hospital bed shortages—one of many issues that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed in Alberta’s health care system.
“When it came to health care, there was nothing there to address short-staffing which we believe is [a source of] all the problems that we’re currently seeing in the crisis. It’s something that was made worse during COVID,” Azocar said.
“As a result, now our members are in a position where they have absolutely no more to give and are continuously being asked to do more with less human resources available,” she added.
On top of staffing shortages, wage stagnation and poor working conditions have created a shaky foundation for the health care system and its workers. Consequently, these workers are stretched beyond their limits with little recognition.
“What all our members would like to see is wages that not only reflect the hard economic times, but also reflect the value of the work that we do. All our members are frontline workers, regardless of the sector that they work in,” Azocar said.
Empty platitudes and false promises of jobs
If there is anything that the AUPE and the provincial government can both get on board with, it’s job creation, but that’s where the similarities end. Premier Smith continues to push health care towards privatization, arguing that it will create more jobs in the public sector.
“We are working with our partners, including all of Alberta’s unions, to make sure that workers’ rights and safety are protected, and they have the skills they need to grow their careers and participate in Alberta’s robust economy,” according to an email statement from Alberta’s Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Northern Development to rabble.ca.
The ministry added that health care jobs are increasing. As of last September, Alberta Health Services (AHS) has 1,800 more registered nurses from before the pandemic and 176 new doctors in the past year. With the Throne Speech’s promise for job creation, the UCP’s Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Northern Development said that they will continue to lower taxes and reduce red tape for business owners, making it “easy for businesses to come and set up shop in our province.” They added that they are on track to break venture capital records, reporting $509 million in investments this past quarter.
“Our work isn’t done, and we are working hard to keep up our economic momentum, further diversify our economy, and help Albertans get the skills they need to succeed in their career,” the statement said.
Despite this increase of jobs in the health care sector, Azocar has her doubts—it’s not enough to fulfill the labour gap. Over time the demand for doctors, nurses and many other health care positions will grow due to an ageing workforce and population. More health care workers are needed to replace retirees and take care of the older generations.
To properly address staffing shortages, the provincial government needs work on retainment, recruitment and improving working conditions. She also warned how the “stealth privatization” of Alberta’s health care system will result in job loss within the public sector and diminished patient care.
“Anytime governments speak about fixing the economy and creating jobs—it’s always great words, great messaging—but then what we will always be concerned about is what kind of jobs are they talking about? We have seen a lot of privatization, especially in the area of laundry services” Azocar said.
Earlier this year, AHS privatized in-house hospital services resulting in 334 job layoffs. More recently, the privatization of medical laboratory services by DynaLIFE which critics are saying benefits corporate interest while leaving patient care in the dust.
Another adverse effect of privatization is losing more workers—especially when there’s a staffing shortage in the public health care system.
“In the meantime, what they do is they rob the public systems—we just don’t have enough people as it is. We can’t afford to lose more nurses, surgeons and anesthesiologists into the private system,” Azocar said.
During the Throne Speech, Alberta Lieutenant Governor the Hon. Salma Lakhani expressed appreciation for health care workers across the province.
“To our front-line professionals, we thank you. We know you are tired, yet you soldier on to serve and love and care for all of us. We love and salute you. On behalf of all Albertans, thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” Lakhani said.
For Azocar, these remarks were empty platitudes as Premier Smith is clear about her intentions to put health care in the hands of private entities. Until the UCP begins to listen to public health care workers and ceases their plans for privatization, the health care system will continue to suffer.
Alberta’s Health Minister, Jason Copping and Minister of Skilled Trade and Professions, Kaycee Madu were both contacted for an interview, but did not reply before publication.
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