With Alberta physicians and the Redford Tories getting closer and closer to an all-out war over the government's decision to impose a new long-term financial deal on doctors, the recent uproar over the premier's actions when she was justice minister may very soon look like a small-time dust-up in comparison.
Last week, Alberta Medical Association (AMA) president Dr. Michael Giuffre said talks with Alberta Health would go nowhere unless the province withdraws its imposed settlement.
Giuffre told his membership that physicians had better be prepared to “batten down the hatches and prepare to face a storm” and that the association was “ramping up our activities to oppose what the government has done.”
Last month the government announced that it was unilaterally ending two years of contract negotiations by imposing a deal worth $463 million over four years. That deal includes a lump sump 2.5 per cent payment and a cost of living allowance over the next three years.
The AMA was quick to call the imposition of a new deal unacceptable, claiming it would unfairly restrict the association's right to bargain on behalf of physicians.
For his part, Health Minister Fred Horne said last week that he hopes the government could come to a settlement with physicians before patient care is impacted.
“I believe I've done everything I can to be reasonable and the government's done everything it can to be reasonable,” said Horne.
With their large majority in the legislature, the Redford Tories have had little trouble stemming debate over allegations that the premier exercised undue influence in the appointment of her ex-husband's law firm to a government contract.
Even despite last week's extraordinary walkout protest by Wildrose MLAs, the PCs have been able to move forward with their legislative agenda.
Like it or not, the opposition parties are simply too weak in terms of seats to make any real difference to what the government does or does not do.
On the other hand, the ongoing physician-PC fight over the recently imposed physician deal is an entirely different matter.
Alberta's doctors are absolutely vital to the well-being of every single community in this province, including every town, village and county in West Central Alberta.
And as such, the doctors have far more power than the opposition parties could even dream of – power that could, in the end, be used to bring Alberta hospitals and clinics to a standstill.
With that in mind, Albertans of all ages and in every part of the province are no doubt hoping that the “storm” Dr. Giuffre talks about can be avoided before it's too late.
