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.

Category Archives: Social Justice

Human Rights Day

On behalf of all Alberta Liberal MLAs, I encourage all Albertans to take a moment today to acknowledge Human Rights Day, which is celebrated around the world to recognize the adoption and proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

That includes freedom of speech, which many in Alberta hesitate to exercise because they fear they’ll lose their jobs – particularly in the public sector. A culture of intimidation exists, which is why I believe so strongly in the need for whistleblower protection for Albertans and why I’m so impressed by those that speak out despite the risk of punishment.

Here’s another example. Bill 44, forced through this past spring, jeopardizes the education our children are entitled to as stated in the Declaration by hampering the promotion of understanding, tolerance and friendship. When teachers do not have the freedom to teach an inclusive curriclum, the spirit of the Declaration is diminished.

Human rights must be fought for every day, even here in Alberta – perhaps especially here, where it is too easy to take our rights for granted. The Official Opposition will continue to fight threats to the fundamental rights of Albertans.

David

Stelmach policies help steal family doctors from middle-class Albertans

From the Liberal Caucus,

David Swann, Leader of the Official Opposition, has learned that yet another new clinic in Calgary will charge thousands of dollars for health care services.

A citizen in Calgary told Swann that he’s losing his family doctor because that doctor will be moving to a clinic called Provital Health and Wellness. Only patients who pay a yearly fee – $3500 the first year and $3000 every following year – at the new clinic will continue to be treated by their doctors.

“Every Alberta family needs a family doctor,” Swann says. “But should Alberta families have to pay $3000 a year or more for that privilege? In Ed Stelmach’s Alberta, it looks like the answer is yes.”

Provital is the latest clinic to follow this disturbing new business model, following Calgary’s Copeman clinic and others. Swann, who was once a practising physician, is concerned that more and more doctors, frustrated with the Stelmach administration’s incompetent handling of public health care, will be driven to these exclusive clinics. This developing trend makes it even harder for average Albertans to find family physicians.

“Given the acknowledged shortage of health care professionals in this province, it’s un-Albertan of the Premier to foster the creation of what amounts to exclusive private clinics – clinics that are, by the way, subsidized by the taxpayer, since these clinics still bill the province for medically necessary services.”

Limiting access with yearly fees creates a de facto two-tier health care system.

“Certainly these doctors have the right to offer extra services, some of them very useful to Albertans,” Swann says. “But every Albertan has the right, without paying extra fees, to see those doctors for services covered by taxpayer-funded Alberta Health Care, no matter what their economic status.”

What do you think about this issue?

With Darfuris in Ottawa

This has been an inspiring and discouraging 2 days with our seven Darfuris, witnesses to the genocide going on in their homeland. The press conference with Sen. Romeo Dallaire, David Kilgour, Sen. Grant Mitchell, Dr. Keith Mills (MP), Glen Pearson (MP), Paul Dewar (MP), Mario Silva (MP), Green Party Human Rights critic Joe Foster and Tara Tavender from the Save Darfur Canada coalition went well but we haven’t seen much news coverage of the key messages – “Canada must not turn away from this evolving human catastrophe. We must take some leadership to get troops on the ground with the UN Mission in Darfur before it’s too late.”

We have since met with dozens of MP’s (eg. Min. Stockwell Day and Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Kevin Sorenson) so the word is getting out. Now is the time for people to barrage their MP’s and the PMO. Every Day. This is how we let them know we really care about the plight of real children, women and men whose lives have been disrupted and\or destroyed. The UN has called for troops and support from member countries and Canada has not yet pledged resources for this new force. We must.

Please join me at Prime Minister Harper’s office in Calgary (Glenmore Landing) all day on Friday after 9am where I’ll be on my 5th day on a hunger strike (clear fluids) to draw attention to the important role Canada is not playing yet.

Thanks for writing, calling, meeting or demonstrating to stop this first genocide of the 21st century.

Not on our Watch!

David

Another Pay Hike for MLAs – Not for AISH or Welfare Folks

Last week we all received a cost-of-living increase of 4.9% as well as a $500 boost to our RRSP. The decision is made every year by the Member Services Committee of the Legislature. We have objected to the process of MLA’s setting their own salaries and requesting an independent committee. No change. I would be more comfortable with the annual increase if those in dire straits were also ‘indexed’ to the cost of living. Instead I am embarrassed to say that AISH recipients got a ‘boost’ last year from $900 to $1050/month – their first in many years. And the support to single mothers and families on welfare is equally pitiful without annual increase.

Is this moral leadership?

Let me know what you think.