Position Statements

The Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) upholds a set of values based in social democracy, social justice and environmental justice. These values guide HSAA in taking positions on issues that arise on an ongoing basis. Our position statements align with our mission, vision, values and strategic plan.

HSAA is affiliated with the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE), the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) and its subordinate bodies – the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) and the various District Labour Councils across Alberta.

To learn more about the mission and strategic plan that guide HSAA, click here.

On this page you can review the web version of our position statements. A PDF file can also be downloaded.

Position Statement 20 - Energy Deregulation and Utility Privatization

HSAA supports publicly owned, operated and delivered utilities.

Rationale:

All essential utilities should have public interest over shareholder interest in providing services. The rates of public utilities are regulated to protect citizens from unreasonable cost surges.

Keith Provost, a retired senior operating officer with Alberta Power, said Alberta’s deregulation of electricity has proven to be a failed experiment.  By Provost’s calculation, it has cost Alberta consumers $32 billion as at December 8, 2016.

Approved at AGM 2005
Amended May 2018 Convention