David Swann: Blog

Dr. David Swann is the elected member of the Alberta Legislature for Calgary Mountain View and the Liberal critic for the Health and Wellness, Human Services, Agriculture and Rural Development, and Aboriginal Relations.

David Swann: Blog - Dr. David Swann is the elected member of the Alberta Legislature for Calgary Mountain View and the Liberal critic for the Health and Wellness, Human Services, Agriculture and Rural Development, and Aboriginal Relations.

Monthly Archives: May 2009

Swann calls on Premier to allow free vote on Bill 44

May 26, 2009

Edmonton – Flanked by Albertans opposed to the parental opt-out provisions of Bill 44 and several Alberta Liberal MLAs, Dr. David Swann, Leader of the Official Opposition, challenged Premier Stelmach to allow Tory MLAs a free vote on the controversial bill.

“We know that several Tory MLAs are very uncomfortable about the sections of this bill that damage our public education system,” Swann said. “I believe the Premier should allow his MLAs to follow their consciences today by allowing a free vote.” Swann will allow his own MLAs to vote freely on the bill.

Citizens concerned about free speech joined Dr. Swann in condemning the bill at the Legislature today.

“The Alberta Teachers Association, the Sheldon Chumir Foundation, the Alberta and Northwest Conference of the United Church, the Centre for Inquiry and other organizations have all issued strong statements opposing this bill,” said Laurie Blakeman, Shadow Minister of Culture and Community Spirit.

“Under the School Act, parents already have the ability to pull their children from classes on sexuality or religion,” Swann said. “But if the Premier enshrines this ability as a right, he will expose teachers to the spectre of lawsuits from offended parents. Premier Stelmach’s Bill 44 will have a profound chilling effect on classroom discussion.”

The Alberta Liberals have introduced several amendments to the bill, including amendments to protect free speech and remove the opt-out clause. Yesterday Culture and Community Spirit Minister Lindsay Blackett said that the government would amend the bill, but made no promises that the opt-out clause would be removed.

To read what the Calgary Herald wrote about this click here


Warning communities of government’s plan to close rural hospitals.

Below is an excerpt from the Hansard for May 14,

To read what was in the press click here

Dr. Swann: Well, back to the Premier on the issue of rural hospitals.
Mr. Premier, this administration is planning to close specific rural
hospitals, it’s clear. The plan was approved in the former David
Thompson health region. It falls into line with the Premier’s Vision
2020. It means cuts for rural hospitals in Alberta. Beyond generalities
the fate of specific small-town hospitals, however, is still a
mystery to Albertans. To the Premier: why is the Premier so
secretive and reluctant to tell Albertans what the plans are for rural
hospitals in Alberta?

Mr. Liepert: Mr. Speaker, the government’s decision around the
future of health care is very clear. We’ve released the Vision 2020
document, which lays it out very clearly. We have committed that
if there are any changes to what current facilities in rural Alberta are
providing, we will discuss that with the communities involved. For
this leader to suggest that somehow he and a few of his friends think
they’ve got some kind of secret document here is just ludicrous.

Dr. Swann: Well, there’s nothing secret about it, Mr. Speaker. It
was approved by the David Thompson health region. Will the
minister then tell the people of Rimbey, Ponoka, Lacombe, Innisfail,
Coronation, Consort, Sundre, Three Hills, and Hanna if their
hospitals will be downgraded to urgent care? They know that’s on
the block. What is the plan, Mr. Minister?

Mr. Liepert: Where has this guy been for the last year and a half?
There is no David Thompson health region anymore, Mr. Speaker.
It’s one of the reasons why we went to one health board, so we can
deliver equitable health care across the province. It just shows how
out of touch he is, using a document that is some year and a half old
with a board that doesn’t exist anymore.

Dr. Swann: Well, if this administration is already cutting access in
the cities and now the plan to cut services in small towns, where are
rural people supposed to get their services, Mr. Minister?

Mr. Liepert: Mr. Speaker, rural people will get their services where
they’re getting them today and as long as we’re providing that
service, Mr. Speaker. This particular member is doing nothing but
fearmongering in this particular Legislature.

Bow River Clean-up a Success!

Thank you to the 45 volunteers who came out Sunday morning and pitched in to clean up our river banks! What a tremendous demonstration of community engagement on your behalf. It was a pleasure to participate in such an important event with you all.

Hope to see you again next year. My office staff will be posting photos from the event within the next few days – have a look at the great work we all did together.

David

Bill 19 rammed through despite objections from public and Alberta Liberals

The Alberta Liberal Caucus Released the following information on April 30:

Edmonton – Hugh MacDonald, Alberta Liberal Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, is concerned for the future of property rights in Alberta thanks to the Stelmach administration’s forced passage of Bill 19 yesterday afternoon. Alberta Liberals led the charge in real opposition to the bill, with amendments and a motion to kill it.

The Alberta Liberals opposed the bill because it gives the Stelmach administration too much power to control land without adequately consulting or compensating Alberta landowners.

“We tried to improve this bill,” says MacDonald, “We suggested numerous improvements to Bill 19 through amendments in the Legislature, but they were all voted down by the uncaring Tories. We even suggested pulling the bill entirely, but the Stelmach administration rejected that option, too.”

Many property owners in Alberta are fundamentally opposed to the bill, justifiably concerned that their control over their own land could be taken away by an administration that’s taking rural voters for granted.

“Premier Stelmach’s administration already upset rural Albertans with Bill 46,” MacDonald continues, “But obviously they haven’t learned their lesson. The Premier doesn’t seem to care how this bill has upset thousands of Albertans.”

READ MORE