idealisttotheend Posted June 24, 2004 Report Posted June 24, 2004 Today: Today's CBC story Mar told a news conference that the changes will not violate the Canada Health Act and that there are no immediate plans to create user fees, delist services or expand the role of private-for-profit health clinics. Last Week: CBC story May 17 Klein told reporters that on June 30 he will introduce reforms that will allow for more private health care options in Alberta. The key to the story is here: "won't introduce any new revenue options unless Albertans indicate support for them ."-today's CBC article, italics mine In fact this "consultation" will take place in the fall. Interesting to do consultations on more reforms right after you announce new reforms. The cart before the horse and all that. The Alberta Conservatives have written the book on how to do 'consultation' to build 'consensus' directed at the result the Alberta Conservatives want. You see, you hold a focus group, you put 11 buisnesspeople/farmers/conservative small town folks on a 12 person comittee and give the last spot to a union leader. You then conclude from the group what 'Albertans' are thinking. You ask loaded questions on questionaires to the general public and report only the results (in a general fashion) that you like. I can guarentee everyone on this forum that barring Shirley Douglas pulling a miracle out of her hat, Albertans will 'want' more privatization in the fall. There is no doubt in my mind that Klien intended to violate the Canada Health Act, since he said as much just last week. But now to support Harper, the Alberta PCs are backing down (until the fall) to defuse the situation. While I like the result (that they backed down) I think it is an insult to Albertans and Canadians in general for Mar and Klien to pretend otherwise. And I hope this little charade is remembered when Alberta institutes the reforms they wanted to June 30th. And memo to Martin: Never give the other side the initiave (ask them to tell you details which only they have and can easily change) or you will look foolish. Quote All too often the prize goes, not to who best plays the game, but to those who make the rules....
takeanumber Posted June 24, 2004 Report Posted June 24, 2004 That's the Conservative way. It's not really grass roots politics. It's same old Gettymandered, arrogant rot we've come to expect from a tired, weary, conservative government. Quote
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