Notley challenges Kenney to debate on devastating public health care cuts

“We know the UCP want to hide from the serious consequences of their health care cuts to Alberta families,” Notley said. “That’s why these cuts came out after the budget debate. But Jason Kenney owes it to Albertans to come clean.  (File Photo: Jason Kenney/Facebook)

EDMONTON – NDP Leader Rachel Notley is challenging Premier Jason Kenney to a debate over the UCP Government’s plan to fire more than 5,000 frontline public health care workers.

News of the mass firing surfaced Friday, days after the provincial budget had passed in the Alberta Legislature. The layoffs were never raised by the Premier or Minister of Health during hours of debate on the budget.

Alberta’s NDP Caucus called for an emergency debate in the Legislature about the cuts on Monday but that was promptly voted down by the UCP. Kenney was travelling back from a meeting in Toronto when that vote has occurred.

“We know the UCP want to hide from the serious consequences of their health care cuts to Alberta families,” Notley said. “That’s why these cuts came out after the budget debate. But Jason Kenney owes it to Albertans to come clean.

“Thirty second questions in Question Period are not enough. Albertans deserve substantial and reasoned dialogue in the face of Mr. Kenney’s broken election promise.”

Notley said she is open to the debate occurring on live television or through an online platform, such as Facebook.

“It doesn’t really matter where this debate occurs, as long as Albertans can watch and this Premier is held accountable for his direct attack on public health care,” Notley said. “The Premier owes Albertans an explanation for why he lied to them during the campaign when he guaranteed he would protect public health care.”

NDP Leader Rachel Notley will be available to comment prior to Question Period.