Dr. Swann: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I recently was in Grande Prairie, where the main concern was when they will receive a new hospital, a hospital that’s been needed for some years for their growing, thriving community. 

This was promised back in 2007.

To the Premier: with the Premier being so willing to talk of the priorities and concerns of the people of Calgary, will he now speak of the priorities for the people of Grande Prairie? Will the new QE II replacement hospital be started this year?

Mr. Stelmach: Mr. Speaker, there are a number of large projects where the tenders have been closed, which will produce some savings. Treasury Board and Infrastructure are evaluating how much money there is in savings. I’ve also instructed the minister of health to look at those projects that we have set aside money for, but during the huge inflationary period that we went through, the costs really rose. I’ve asked him to revisit all those projects. That would be Grande Prairie, Medicine Hat, Slave Lake, I believe, or High Prairie, and a number of other locations, including some of the long-term care residences.

Dr. Swann: Well, Mr. Speaker, the people want to have some definite response. Will the Premier give some definite information to the people of Grande Prairie about when they can expect shovels to be in the ground for a new hospital in Grande Prairie? When?

Mr. Stelmach: Mr. Speaker, the minister of health will be visiting the city of Grande Prairie in 10 days or so. He’ll be visiting with the community and with council and will share some information with them.

Dr. Swann: Well, another health concern for the people of Grande Prairie was the deplorable state of the Grande Prairie Care Centre, a long-term care centre urgently needing to be replaced or extensively renovated. Will the Premier commit to providing funding for long-term care needs in Grande Prairie?

Mr. Stelmach: Mr. Speaker, I believe that during the period of time of this inflation we did release about $10 million to the hospital to help support some changes in code requirements. As I said before, the minister will be in Grande Prairie in a number of days and will be able to sit down with the board, the chamber and discuss the situation.

The Speaker: Second Official Opposition main question. The hon. Leader of the Official Opposition.

Health Facilities Capital Plans

Dr. Swann: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, in the ongoing health care saga the only thing that seems to have been accomplished in this last two years is confusion, frustration, and uncertainty. This is the product of failed centralization without a plan, no cost-benefit analysis, and no checks and balances in place. First to the Premier. I hope we’ll get an answer today on this question. What is the explanation for conflicting messages coming from this government and from Alberta Health Services? Who is actually in charge, Mr. Premier?

Mr. Stelmach: Mr. Speaker, there are no conflicting messages. We are the only jurisdiction in Canada that has not only removed, paid off the accumulated deficit but has given Alberta Health Services increased funding for five years. That’s the only plan of its kind in the whole country of Canada.

Dr. Swann: Well, I’ll try to the minister of health, then, Mr. Speaker. Please clarify this: do you have the final decision on whether Calgary will or will not receive the much-needed new cancer centre? Yes or no?

Mr. Zwozdesky: Mr. Speaker, as I’ve indicated on several occasions in the House, a capital plan for $2.5 billion over the next three years will be available in a matter of days. I will be sitting down with the Minister of Infrastructure, with colleagues from Calgary and from elsewhere discussing that, and we will roll out the good news at that time.

Dr. Swann: Well, Mr. Speaker, another question revolves around what criteria are used for determining the priority of capital health projects. Are these determined based on need or on political expediency?

Mr. Stelmach: Mr. Speaker, it’s such an easy one to answer I thought I’d get up. If the hon. Leader of the Opposition had an opportunity to read the capital plan, the 20-year strategic capital plan, how priorities are set is listed in the whole plan, and that’s not only for health facilities, schools but for roads and other infrastructure as well.

Alberta Hansard, March 9, 2010

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