Story by Edmonton Journal •
Children receiving palliative, respite and end-of-life care are being discharged from the Rotary Flames House in Calgary and staff are being redeployed to Alberta Children’s Hospital, amid a surge in respiratory illness.
A family heads into the emergency department at the Alberta Children's Hospital on Monday, November 28, 2022.© Provided by Edmonton Journal
During question period on Monday, only one set of questions regarding this crisis was asked to Premier Smith. In her response, she stated “we’re seeing a crisis that’s taking place across the province and across the country.” But, she and her government couldn’t offer any solutions on how to address this crisis. All she offered was that she would have something soon to say regarding the shortage of children’s medications. That’s a supply-chain issue across Canada and the United States for over a month.
When real issues like stopping respite care for children arise, all we have from this government is the sound of crickets. It’s almost like if they don’t acknowledge the issue; they think it will just disappear. Albertans deserve better from their government.
Stephanie Shostak, Edmonton
Related video: Children's hospitals in Alberta are under intense pressure as they deal with an influx of sick kids (cbc.ca)
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Sovereignty Act a power grab
I am a strong believer in Alberta’s right to be a driver of change in Canada. We have enormous resources, people and spirit. What I don’t believe is that the government under Bill 1 can attempt to gain powers to self govern. This is ludicrous. The province is attempting to gain powers in the midst of COVID and the ideal of free choice by, ironically, legislating their ability to control and focus their powers. They ought to be ashamed.
The proper answer is to allow free speech, self-organization and debate. Legislating power to your own viewpoint is a very dangerous and slippery slope that I hope most Albertans stand up against.
Mark Poesch, Edmonton
Leadership rivals flip-flop on Bill 1
It’s no surprise that the UCP leadership hopefuls who were bashing Danielle Smith’s proposed sovereignty act are now towing the UCP party line. The excuses for the 360-degree shift in attitude that they gave to the media was actually quite laughable. They must think that Albertans are really gullible.
Now that the sovereignty act is making its way through the legislature, it doesn’t take a political genius to figure out that any fierce opposition to the act from within the UCP ranks could cause the UCP to be ripped to shreds.
Dennis Wanechko, Leduc
Sovereignty distracts from real issues
Does it really matter whether or not this theatre is constitutional or not? The whole point of it is to shock people and lay a trap for the federal government and its supporters. Then, it is hoped, the people of Alberta will rally round the UCP to defend the province from the enemy, the Government of Canada.
If you have no case, create an enemy. This is a well-worn tactic used by those who want a fight to divert everyone from real issues: economy, climate change, post-industrialization, health care, education, immigration, et cetera. Maybe it will work. We’ll just have to trust the people of Alberta to decide what is in their best interests. A warning to the federal Conservatives: Be careful what you wish for. You might get it.
Louise Davis, Sherwood Park
OK to be bribed with our own money
Why the big deal about Danielle Smith’s giveaway? I was under the impression that royalties belonged to all Albertans. We are being bribed with our own heritage money. The sum of $600 over a six-month period, according to Smith, should be graciously accepted. What would be graciously accepted by the majority of Albertans would be her resignation as premier asap.
Barton Whyte, Sherwood Park
Bill 1 mistake shouldn’t have been made
Given all the rhetoric expressed prior to being elected, I am dumbfounded that Premier Smith is now begging forgiveness about the overreach of the Alberta Sovereignty Within A United Canada Bill. Stupid comes to mind. Premier Smith does not deserve to be forgotten so much as dumped for permitting such a piece of legislation to have even left the drawing room.
Like so many things we have seen in the past, this is a leader who acts compulsively and then begs forgiveness. Alberta needs a leader who thinks before they speak. I am left to wonder if Premier Smith will pursue a leadership style that suggests she will continue to open her mouth only to change feet when she renders new opinions or direction.
Ken Crutchfield, St. Albert
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