EDMONTON - The announcement today by Jason Kenney that the UCP government will direct $204 million dollars into their privatization agenda for seniors care will further degrade quality and affordability in continuing care. Public Interest Alberta and seniors advocates from across the province opposed the decision and committed to providing an alternative roadmap for seniors and continuing care that will enhance quality and affordability in the system.
“Public Interest Alberta will always oppose the introduction of profit into public services, ” said Bradley Lafortune, Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta. “The UCP have shown time after time that even during a pandemic they are willing to put critical services at risk. Now, with continuing care, Jason Kenney and the UCP are throwing good money after bad to further privatize the system, despite evidence that for-profit facilities degrade quality and affordability.”
“Especially since the onset of COVID, the Canadian experience shows us that privatization is not the way to ensure seniors can lead a life of health and dignity, ” said Bradley Lafortune, Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta. “Despite the evidence, this government is moving forward with their privatization scheme under the guise of modernization: seniors’ lives should not be the basis for profits.”
In 2020, a recent report by the Canadian Medical Association on Ontario’s experience clearly showed that during the first year of COVID there were significantly worse outcomes in for-profit homes than public homes.
“Time after time, the Canadian experience has shown us that the privatization of seniors care and continuing care will lead to worse outcomes, quality of care, and affordability in the system,” said Lafortune. “Alberta seniors deserve so much better than a government hell bent on selling them out to the highest bidder. We need to invest in public seniors care, now and for the future of our loved ones.”
