Dr. Swann: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to acknowledge that yesterday afternoon the Assembly unanimously passed the Alberta Liberals’ Motion 501, which called for an independent review of MLA pay. 

This is a very encouraging step. How this government responds to the passing of this motion will be a true test of its openness and accountability.

To the Premier: when will the Premier establish an independent committee to review MLA pay?

Mr. Stelmach: Mr. Speaker, we will begin to work on establishing the committee. Because it was a motion passed before the House, it’s incumbent upon the government to begin those discussions, and I’m open to the opposition taking part in those discussions just like we have MLAs taking part in the Members’ Services Committee. We have members of all parties represented.

Dr. Swann: Thank you to the Premier. Again to the Premier: what does the Premier envision as the scope of the committee?

Mr. Stelmach: I have some ideas. I’m sure the Liberals have some ideas. The other parties have some ideas. Let’s come together and build a committee and bring clarity to this issue.

Dr. Swann: Very good. Finally, to the Premier: does the Premier envision the committee being functional by this fall?

Mr. Stelmach: Yes.

Peter Lougheed Centre Beds

Dr. Swann: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Two weeks ago we asked the minister of health when the 140 empty beds at the Peter Lougheed hospital in Calgary would be opened to provide relief to the overburdened hospitals in Calgary. The minister said that he had already told Alberta Health Services to look into it, so these questions are to the minister. When can Calgary see these 140 beds opened?

Mr. Zwozdesky: Mr. Speaker, what I said was that I would pass that information along to Alberta Health Services, and in fact it’s on our agenda for further discussion tomorrow evening. I don’t think that a decision will be made tomorrow evening, but it’s up for discussion. It all has to be part of our longer term capital plan, which I said we would have ready on or about March 31.

The Speaker: The hon. leader.

Dr. Swann: Thanks, Mr. Speaker. According to the March 2009 CEO’s report of Alberta Health Services it was estimated that $48 million to $50 million would be needed in operating funds for the 140 beds at the Peter Lougheed. When these beds are open, will Health Services make this funding part of their permanent operating costs for the next five years, or is this a one-off this year?

Mr. Zwozdesky: Mr. Speaker, the answer in large part will come when we have the five-year funding plan in place. That’ll be starting on April 1, 2010, and those very considerations and concerns that the hon. member has raised will be given the exact discussion that he requested and that I have demanded.

The Speaker: The hon. leader.

Dr. Swann: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Existing hospitals are already understaffed. How many RNs and LPNs and support staff will be needed if those 140 beds are to be kept open?

Mr. Zwozdesky: Well, I don’t have the math in my head, Mr. Speaker. I visited that particular Peter Lougheed Centre a couple of weeks ago, and I can tell you that the nurses and the LPNs and the docs and the nurse practitioners and the front-line triage people are working extremely hard, and they’re very pleased, as are the patients, to have the new wing open. What we’re looking at now is: what’s the best use of the 140 beds that had to be closed? We’re considering all of that right now.

Alberta Hansard, February 23, 2010

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