Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) Vice-President, Trudy Thomson reacts to the tabling of Alberta Budget 2021-22.
Edmonton — Today’s budget speech is another example of the Kenney government praising the health-care workers keeping us safe during this pandemic one moment and then taking from those very same professionals the next.
“The Finance Minister took the time to address ‘public sector workers directly’ and said they are going ‘above and beyond’ – and then he threatens their livelihoods and their families’ well-being,” says HSAA Vice-President, Trudy Thomson.
“Today’s budget is a slap in the face to health-care providers who have worked tirelessly over the past year to keep Albertans safe. Calling for pay cuts for the professionals that Albertans trust will not fix our economic problems.
“If our current pandemic has taught us anything, it should be that a strong, public health-care system is what Albertans are relying on in the worst of times. This government should be working on making that system better.
Thomson concludes, “I have worked in labs in Alberta for more than 40 years. I have seen the very real results of how government actions impair the ability of dedicated professionals to care for the sick and injured. We have not recovered from the damage done during the Klein years. And now Jason Kenney wants to double down on that devastation. It makes me sad and worried.”
HSAA is 27,000 health-care professionals dedicated to protecting the public health system and the vulnerable Albertans who rely on it.
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Media Inquiries:
Kirk Heuser, HSAA Communications Officer
780-690-8199 | kirkh@hsaa.ca
