Alberta’s legislation on private health care became the wedge that split opinion at the western premiers’ conference at Brandon last week.
Alberta Conservative premier Ralph Klein found himself fending off questions about Bill 11, legislation that could extend the services of private health clinics.
Other western premiers worry the legislation may become another nail in the coffin of Canada’s medicare system.
“We need to draw the line and reverse the process of privatization,” said British Columbia premier Ujjal Dosanjh, who said he will reserve judgment on Bill 11 until he sees its effects.
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But a feisty Klein, outnumbered by three New Democrat premiers, said the legislation places tighter controls on services that have existed for years.
He told the other premiers they should be working on their own legislation on private health care and bluntly told them to mind their own business.
Saskatchewan premier Roy Romanow replied that medicare is everyone’s business.
“I think a lot will depend, everything will depend on what happens when the bill becomes law and is implemented,” Romanow said.
“The proof of the pudding will be in the eating.”
Although they sparred openly over Bill 11, the premiers were able to agree on a demand that Ottawa provide the provinces with more health-care funding.
They want social and health transfer payments from Ottawa restored, reversing cuts made in 1995. That would cost the federal government more than $4 billion a year.
