UCP’s Justin Wright
The south’s new parliamentary secretary for rural health sees advocacy beyond his own riding as a key part of the role, he told the legislature last week.
Calling the appointment “an incredible responsibility,” the UCP’s Justin Wright said he’ll work to ensure Minister of Health Adriana LaGrange gets her work done.
“But it’s also about bringing grassroots concerns to the ministry,” said Wright, the member for Cypress-Medicine Hat. “This position comes with the immense opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of Albertans.”
The provincial budget tabled Feb. 27 “reflects the fruits of my advocacy” through an expansion of intensive care capacity and a commitment to a new urgent care centre in the south, Wright said. He added that “there’s more work to be done, and I’m thankful to expand my advocacy to all of southern Alberta.”
His appointment marks a north-south division of one parliamentary secretary position into two, after the last member in the province-wide role was bumped up to cabinet.
Martin Long, the member for West Yellowhead, is now infrastructure minister. Peter Guthrie, the member for Airdrie-Cochrane, resigned from the portfolio over concerns about government procurement practices.
Wright’s northern counterpart is Ron Wiebe, Grande Prairie-Wapiti, who in a March 20 news release characterized health care as “one of the highest priorities for Albertans.”
Wiebe, who continues as military liaison, added in the news release: “Our government is working hard to ensure all Albertans have access to the health care they need, when and where they need it, and I’m honoured to be asked to participate in this work.”
He added: “I look forward to working alongside Minister LaGrange to help deliver strong health care in northern Alberta.”
Premier Danielle Smith also announced that Nolan Dyck, the UCP member for Grande Prairie, is the parliamentary secretary for Indigenous relations and rural policing — another position with a new name.
Dyck said in the news release that he’s honoured to take on the job. “Our government has been working hard to ensure all Albertans feel safe in their communities and members of police services feel supported in their work.”
The announcements arrive during tumult and controversy in Alberta health care. The former CEO and president of Alberta Health Services, Athana Mentzelopoulos, has sued for wrongful dismissal, alleging she was in part fired for launching an investigation over concerns about contracts and procurement. AHS says in its statement of defence that she was not fulfilling her duties.
Several filings and accusations have followed, and none have been tested in the courts.
Scott Sinclair, the member for Lesser Slave Lake, is the former parliamentary secretary for Indigenous policing. A March 1 social media post started dominos toppling towards his removal from caucus.
Sinclair said then: “The continuous flow of our GDP to urban centers while rural Alberta — the backbone of this province — gets left behind is appalling.”
Now sitting as an Independent, he said health care in his riding has “hit rock bottom, and while I hear of positive changes happening elsewhere, they aren’t happening here. How are we to accept multiple emergency department closures when the nearest care is hours away?”
Sinclair is one of three Indigenous representatives in the legislature. His riding of Lesser Slave Lake is home to about 27,000 people, more than half of whom are Indigenous.
The government is reorganizing AHS into four agencies. It says the “refocused system” will lead to more timely access to primary care practitioners, shorter emergency room and surgery wait times, consistent access to continuing care, and expanded access to mental health and addiction treatment.
But critics say the reorganization is a waste of time and resources that should instead address problems directly.
Wright said in his legislature statement: “Our government is committed to addressing rural and remote health challenges to ensure Albertans have access to high-quality health care services no matter where they live in this province. Albertans living in rural and remote areas of the province face unique challenges that require tailored supports and approaches to deliver safe, high-quality and sustainable health care services.
“Health care can sometimes feel out of reach for those in rural communities, which is why I’m committed to bringing their care closer to their home. While rural Alberta is vast, know that your parliamentary secretaries will help address your concerns to deliver the health care services you deserve.”
