More reason public inquiry on health necessary

March 22, 2011

Alberta’s NDP Opposition leader Brian Mason says the refusal of the Premier to ask key Tory politicians to testify publicly before the Health Quality Council shows a full public inquiry is needed to get to the root of health intimidation allegations.

“Albertans should see the refusal to commit to request such testimony as a dodge of accountability,” Mason says. “It proves these Tories remain the most secretive government in Canada.

“We believe the culture of intimidation started with the Tories and their penchant for secrecy in government,” says Mason. “The government never wanted light shone on their role in intimidation, so they referred the investigation to the Health Quality Council. That way no Tory politician would face accountability for the intimidation they started.”

A full public inquiry, moderated by a judge, would have the power to compel politicians to account for their disastrous management of the health system – the sort of justice Albertans need.