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For Immediate Release
November 4, 2009 (Edmonton, AB): Today, Wildrose Alliance Deputy Leader Paul Hinman (MLA for Calgary Glenmore) called on Premier Ed Stelmach to hold Health Minister Ron Liepert to account for the handling of the H1N1 vaccination debacle.
“Though it is encouraging to finally see the government incorporate the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Canadian Pandemic Influenza plan, it is inexcusable that the government failed to implement it from day one,” stated Hinman.
“This national pandemic plan has been in place since January 2008, and the Government of Alberta should have been using this plan to demonstrate confidence and competence to all Albertans,” added Hinman.
“We know that front-line health care workers are doing an amazing job despite the government’s incompetence on this critical file. This is symptomatic of the kind of incompetence that Premier Stelmach and his health minister show as they both struggle to hold on to power.”
Under the Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan that was developed by medical experts and professionals, the government would have distributed vaccines to high risk groups in a timely, understood and well-managed rollout. Instead, Albertans have witnessed a disastrous rollout, poor facilities for carrying out mass vaccinations, unreliable supply of medicine, mixed messages and confusion that has created extreme anxiety and a state of constant uncertainty regarding this virus.
“Too many Albertans remain in serious risk of exposure to the H1N1 virus, such as teachers, child care providers, police officers and others who deliver front-line services. The government is failing to give them any confidence that they are safe and will receive vaccinations in a timely fashion.”
“The only way that Premier Stelmach can even hope to regain any credibility with Albertans and demonstrate that he will fix his government’s mistakes is to ask for the resignation of Minister Liepert immediately. This is the second portfolio that Liepert has wreaked havoc in and Albertans need to be respected and this government needs to be accountable for the mess they have made.”
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