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Spring session kicks off with public health care bill

The spring session of the Alberta Legislature kicked off on Monday afternoon with a throne speech focusing on health care, child care and strengthening democracy.

The spring session of the Alberta Legislature kicked off on Monday afternoon with a throne speech focusing on health care, child care and strengthening democracy.

It is unknown if the NDP government will hold a full spring session.

In the speech, the NDP government promised to reduce wait times at hospitals, give more access to women’s health services and reduce the cost of drugs for seniors.

In a press conference earlier today at the Royal Alberta Museum, Premier Rachel Notley said the session will kick off with Bill 1, an act to protect public health care.

The premier said the bill aims to defend Albertans from “American-style health care” creeping into the province

“Whether you come to hospital with a fur coat or no coat, you deserve the same world-class health care as everyone else,” Notley said.

Notley delivered her press conference in front of students and their parents and noted that the throne speech was about her audience.

“Our throne speech is about these kids. It’s about their parents and it’s about families in Alberta. It’s about making sure that we build an Alberta that includes all Albertans.”

Much of the speech reviewed the NDP’s accomplishments over their last four years in government. The speech painted a rosy picture of the NDPs four years in office and highlighted some of the changes the party has made, including banning corporate and union political donations.

The NDP also touted their record on diversifying the economy and noted the government’s commitment to building the Trans Mountain Pipeline.

“Years of inaction on pipelines left us overexposed to the price of oil. This is what we inherited and what we set out to fix. The job is not done, but we’ve made good progress,” Notley said.

“Gone are the days where we pay lip service.”

Along with reminding Albertans of its record, the government took aim at governments of the past.

“For decades, governments in Alberta responded to economic busts in a predictable way. They made things worse, and everyday Albertans paid the price,” said Lt.-Gov. Lois Mitchell, who delivered the speech.

“This time, however, with a new government in Edmonton, things would be different. Everyday Albertans – our families, our communities, our jobs – would come first. Your government would not pay lip service to honest government and then build Sky Palaces.”

The government also noted an affordable child-care program may be on the horizon, but gave no specific details.

There are currently seven bills on the order paper but it is not known what the government will accomplish before it drops the writ.

An election must be held before May 31 of this year due to the province's fixed-date election legislation. The election period will last 28 days.


Jennifer Henderson

About the Author: Jennifer Henderson

Jennifer Henderson is the editor of the St. Albert Gazette and has been with Great West Media since 2015
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