It is interesting to now witness the government’s credibility, instead of rogue MLA Raj Sherman’s, torn to pieces over how the province is handling health care when a mere two weeks ago their roles in this ongoing tragedy were reversed. It will take no less than a full judicial inquiry to restore any faith the public has in the Tory government’s ability to manage the health care system.
It is rare that Alberta’s opposition parties — of which there are now a record four with MLAs in the legislature — agree on anything, but the sight of all party leaders and Sherman standing in front of a microphone, united in their call for a full inquiry into the alleged deaths of cancer patients and subsequent treatment of physicians by the government, is enough on its face to warrant more action than the government is proposing.
Last week’s flip-flop by both Premier Ed Stelmach and Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky was stunningly abrupt, considering the language Stelmach initially used to shoot down the idea. “Wild goose chase,” “totally unsubstantiated” and “just as soon let this die” were some of Stelmach’s notable quotes one day before he announced the Health Quality Council of Alberta would review 322 complaints of compromised care that had been raised by Alberta Medical Association section president Dr. Paul Parks.
While on the surface it might seem like Stelmach is caving to the opposition demands, the nature of the health council review is enough to create doubts about whether Albertans will learn the truth about patient care in Alberta. The panel will report directly to the minister, not to the legislature, a fact worthy of criticism given how intimately tied Zwozdesky has been with other so-called “arms-length” organizations. Though all who testify during the review will be granted immunity and anonymity under the Alberta Evidence Act, the entire process will take place behind closed doors and the final report will be given to Zwozdesky first. Furthermore, the health council will not pursue any allegations of financial wrongdoing or professional misconduct, matters at the heart of Sherman’s original allegations — that some doctors had been bullied, pushed out of their jobs or even paid to keep quiet about patients who died while waiting for lung surgery.
What seemed so inflammatory and preposterous two weeks ago when Sherman first announced his allegations now seems possible, given the government’s lack of action on the matter and the presence of a settled lawsuit in which a former thoracic surgeon claimed he was bullied out of his job for pushing for more resources. While Dr. Ciaran McNamee’s claims were settled and never proven in court, it casts the government in a further questionable light.
Stelmach can rant all he wants about the opposition creating fear among the public, as he did in a statement late Sunday, but for the first time in a long time, Albertans are actually witnessing an effective opposition in the legislature trying to hold the government to account. Pushing for a judicial inquiry is a risky but welcome proposition as it would separate the government’s treatment of health care from the government for a change. The opposition parties are not playing politics as Stelmach mongered — they are finally doing their job and putting the future health and wellbeing of Albertans ahead of their own agendas.
