It is known in Alberta as the 'Third Way, for medicare reform. But in reality it should be called Ralph Kleins My Way or the Highway medicare reform.
I am not the only one concerned about the Klein Government announcement this week that he will challenge the Canada Health Act with his long awaited Third Way reforms that will supposedly be introduced into the next sitting of the Legislature in February.
This will be six years after the passage of Bill 11 which opened the door to private health care in Alberta. A bill which saw mass spontaneous demonstrations at the Legislature, some of the largest ever, attempts to take over the Leg.
Despite all that and a continued fight against the privatization of health care, and despite numerous costly studies by the Klein government on how to privatize, studies which continued to show it was a DUMB idea, ah well now Ralph can push ahead with little or no opposition from Ottawa. Or so he thinks.
Blogging Tory CIVITANTENSIS says its Deja Vu all over again, and wonders why the PC caucus unanimously approved it. Well probably they didn't, since Ralph has lied before about caucus unaniminity. CIVITANTENSIS also wonders why Ralph is challenging Stephen Harper over this.
Well thats simple; in Alberta it doesn't matter the government in power in Ottawa, they are all 'Eastern Bastards' to good old Klein. Opps except Harper is from Calgary. Good point that. Now we will see who is loyal to Harper and the Conservatives and who is loyal to King Ralph and his Party of Calgary.
Calvert fears Klein's reforms"I have never quite understood the specifics of what the Third Way is,'' Calvert said. "If the Third Way finds itself to be in violation of the Canada Health Act -- the principles and values expressed in the Canada Health Act -- then I oppose any violation of that Act, its principles and its values, anywhere in Canada.''
The Alberta premier was also quoted as saying he believes the Canada Health Act, designed to help the federal government ensure the province and territories adhere to the principles of a free and universal publicly funded health system, should be amended in the future.
Klein said he and Prime Minister-designate Stephen Harper "are on the same wavelength'' and the federal leader promised during a brief conversation with Klein on Thursday to respect areas of provincial jurisdiction.
Calvert stressed the role of the federal government is to ensure the Canada Health Act's principles and values are being adhered so that Canadians can be confident health care will be provided no matter where they live or what is available in their wallet.
"That is the role of a national government and I would look to Mr. Harper's government to maintain that role,'' he said.
Also see:
Klein Dares Harper
Beware the Boogey Man
Two Tier Alberta
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Canada
Alberta
Politics
Ralph Klein
Harper
Health Care
Canadian Election
Privatization
Conservatives
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