Backgrounder

March 1, 2012

Premier Redford on health care inquiry promise

The following is a partial transcript of Premier Redfords media availability on Friday, February 24.
Reporter: [audio unclear]and the answer twice. I just want to flesh it out, you said and I stand by my word. You were asked first off, whether the health care inquiry would be up and running, meaning the judge would be there and the testimony would be given by at least some would be given by at least some individuals before election day. And secondarily you were asked whether queue jumping would be part of the inquirys mandate to investigate. And on both of them you said I stand by my word. I wonder if you could explain a little further what is happening on those two fronts. Premier: My commitment in the summer was that we were going to have an independent judicial inquiry, and that is why within three weeks of being sworn in as Premier we introduced legislation to facilitate that process. And Ive been very clear that we wanted to see the results of the Health Quality Council report to ensure that the terms of reference for this inquiry would allow it to be a meaningful and a thoughtful process. There is not a doubt in my mind that we are going to have this inquiry starting its work before the election. The words yesterday that were used up and running could certainly be interpreted in many ways. Once we establish this and its an independent inquiry its no longer possible for me to dictate to the inquiry how they will conduct their business. But were certainly not intending in any way to inhibit that, and theyll have to decide what the course of that business is. But we are not looking to delay this and Minister Horne has been very clear that were going to keep to my commitment and our governments commitment with respect to insuring that queue jumping is part of this and that the work will begin. Reporter: Do feel that the inquiry itself, suggested that no inquiry is needed. That panel decided that. And yet you will be turning the responsibility for it over to them. Do you have confidence that they will approach it with the appropriate zeal? Premier: Well certainly, we have legislation in place that asks the Health Quality Council to commence the process of conducting the independent inquiry. Once thats in place there will be people on that panel a judge led inquiry that will determine how that work gets done. The fact that the Health Quality Council report on Wednesday said that they wouldnt proceed any further doesnt mean we wont do it. I have great confidence that this will be a meaningful and a thoughtful process that is going to help us ensure that on a go-forward basis that we are creating a better environment for health care workers and patients across the province. Reporter: You said when you made your statement in the summer about the inquiry, youre talking about political interference, I believe you referred to that, and intimidation. Are you going to make both of those part of the inquiry? Premier: It has to be. Reporter: Premier, sort of on the political level, what is your message on why people should trust your government on this, and the Progressive Conservatives on this, given that report lays out that the formation of AHS was mishandled. So much of the problems stem from that. How are you going to establish trust on this? Premier: Ive been Premier of for four and a half months and Ive never shied away from saying that decisions that may have been made by previous governments were not decisions that had challenges. I

mean whether you talk about work that I think should have been done with respect to our international reputation or perhaps health care issues. But the fact is that we are now in 2012 in an environment where we have now had this Health Quality Council, which I asked to report independently to the legislature, identify issues. The job of a government is to address those issues. There are 21 recommendations in that report. Weve been fully frank; were not standing up here as a government saying that health care system is perfect. But the commitment we have made is to fix it. And weve made some very good progress in four and a half months and well continue to do that. And I think the inquiry is a very important part of that. Because one of the reasons that I believe Albertans at the end of the day will trust this government is that I have continually made commitments and kept my word. The entire media availability can be found here:

http://soundcloud.com/your-alberta/premier-redford-availability-3 - 30 Media inquiries may be directed to: Kim Misik Manager, Media Relations Office of the Premier 780-422-4905 kim.misik@gov.ab.ca
To call toll-free within Alberta dial 310-0000.