Dr. Taft: Well, thanks, Mr. Speaker. Since the nationally respected Alberta Cancer Board was dissolved by this government, a major voice for cancer care in this province has been silenced. 

This government has been told there is not enough capacity for cancer care in Calgary since at least 2003, yet it fails to act. Even if work began now on a new facility, it would still be several more years before it would be up and running. My question is to the Premier. How many more years are the people of Calgary going to have to wait before they get a full-fledged cancer hospital?

Mr. Stelmach: Mr. Speaker, cancer care is a priority for my government. Alberta Health Services is looking at improving access to cancer treatment and not concentrating always on the bricks and mortar.

Any further questions the minister of health can give more information on.

The Speaker: The hon. member.

Dr. Taft: Thanks, Mr. Speaker. Well, I’ll try the Premier on this. Is the Premier aware that the site in which cancer services are being delivered at the Holy Cross, which is rented on behalf of the Tom Baker centre, is the subject of a very serious class-action suit concerning deadly asbestos poisoning?

Mr. Zwozdesky: Mr. Speaker, I think I’ve made it clear in this House on a number of occasions that the health infrastructure capital plan will be unveiled on or about March 31, and that will include looking at cancer facilities in Calgary.

Dr. Taft: Well, I’ll repeat the question to the minister. The Tom Baker centre is so crowded, Mr. Speaker, it has to deliver services in rented spaces. One of these spaces is the former Holy Cross Centre. So again to the minister: is the minister aware that the site in which cancer services are being delivered at the Holy Cross is the subject of a very serious class-action suit concerning deadly asbestos poisoning?

Mr. Zwozdesky: Mr. Speaker, no, I am not aware of the asbestos issue that has just been raised, but I can assure this member that I’ll look into it right away. In the meantime I would like to assure all Albertans who are listening and watching and those who are participating in this debate that we are going to be adding more capacity for cancer care in Calgary. I believe it’s the McCaig centre that will be opening relatively soon, and that will take some stress off the system. But let’s wait for the capital plan to come out in its formal sense in a couple of weeks.

Alberta Hansard, March 8, 2010

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