Mason calls on RCMP to investigate queue jumping

June 08, 2011

Alberta’s NDP Opposition leader Brian Mason is calling on the RCMP to investigate whether MLAs, their family or political friends were allowed to jump the queue for medical services.

His call follows the release of a memo from former AHS CEO Stephen Duckett overtly ending the practice two years ago.

“I believe that queue jumping by or through MLAs could be a breach of trust by a public officer, a Criminal Code offence under section 122. Albertans deserve to know whether MLAs broke the law by demanding preferred health treatment for themselves or their friends,” says Mason. “The fact that the health minister said he knows nothing about queue jumping the same day this memo was released shows Albertans cannot trust the PCs to govern responsibly.”

The memo is an indication that the practice was a serious, wide-spread issue.

“You don’t write a memo ending a practice that never existed. I’m sure Mr. Duckett had more important things to do at the time than write superfluous memos,” Mason says.

A thorough investigation is needed if MLAs sought and were granted preferential access, and who enabled the access, he says.