Dr. Swann: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Despite three years and millions of dollars for front-line emergency room changes the ER wait times are not reaching even minimal goals, in part because of the failure of this government to understand the need for systemic change in their long-term strategy, as an example.
To the minister: why did he reduce by over 150 beds at Villa Caritas last year? What was the rationale?
Mr. Horne: Well, Mr. Speaker, we did not reduce the number of beds. The introduction of Villa Caritas was, in fact, a new option in continuing care to respond to the needs of seniors with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. In many cases the residents at Villa Caritas are there on a temporary basis in order to have their condition stabilized and put them in a position where they can return to the community either in a supportive living option or, in some cases, independently with the support of family.
Dr. Swann: Mr. Speaker, much of the demand in emergency rooms is preventable, yet this government has reduced its spending on prevention to less than 4 per cent of the budget. Why has the minister reduced our investment in prevention?
Mr. Horne: Mr. Speaker, this government, in fact, has not reduced any investment in prevention. If the hon. member is referring to the wellness portion of the budget, I would certainly agree with him that I would like to see the resources that can be allocated to wellness increased. In fact, we’re finding that through primary care networks and other community-based health care providers citizens are expressing an increasing interest in taking responsibility for their own health. They want to be supported in that, and they want to make sure that the health of future generations of Albertans is better than those of us today.
Dr. Swann: Mr. Speaker, I believe this minister understands the connection between mental health services and the emergency room wait times. How does he explain the lack of funding committed to the new mental health plan? How is that going to build confidence?
Mr. Horne: Well, Mr. Speaker, I believe it’s been mentioned before in the House. The development of the mental health and addictions strategy – and it is an integrated strategy – was completed only recently, with the involvement of literally dozens of stakeholders in the health care system. We, in fact, are devoting resources to mental health, and I can tell you that in the city of Edmonton we have 21 psychiatrists who are doing clinic time in our primary care networks. Do we need to do more in mental health? Absolutely, we do. As we move forward, our government will present an implementation plan . . .
Services for the Disadvantaged
Dr. Swann: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Albertans with disabilities face barriers every day in areas that many of us take for granted: housing, transportation, employment, public services. Alberta lacks a comprehensive disability rights law such as the one that exists in Ontario and nationally in the United States.
To the Minister of Seniors: is he prepared to champion an Albertans with disabilities act, and will he commit to working with the disabled-serving organizations and their clients to develop such legislation for Alberta?
Mr. VanderBurg: Thank you for the question. Mr. Speaker, you know, in taking on this new ministry, one of the issues that I go to bed every night thinking about is how I can make the world better for people with disabilities in this province. It’s an interesting file. I commit to you and to all of the Assembly and all of those with disabilities in this province that I’ll do everything I can to make this a better province, to make sure that our programs are better than any other province in this country.
The Speaker: The hon. member.
Dr. Swann: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Then will the minister follow through on the Premier’s commitment to raise the monthly income and index it to inflation, just like everyone in this House receives?
Mr. VanderBurg: Thank you again for the question. I think we dealt with this earlier in the session. I heard the Premier very loudly and very clearly, and I had some pretty strong marching orders on how we’re going to deal with payments to our vulnerable Albertans. Stay tuned, member; the next budget is coming.
Dr. Swann: That doesn’t sound like a commitment to me, Mr. Speaker.
To the Minister of Municipal Affairs: given that the demand for special-needs housing in Alberta far exceeds what’s currently being delivered through the housing capital initiatives program, can the minister explain how he plans to increase the province’s stock of accessible low-cost housing beyond conventional means?
Mr. Griffiths: Mr. Speaker, the previous minister had committed to building over 10,000 affordable housing units in this province in a period of five years. We met the target and exceeded it, producing 11,600 homes, affordable housing, in this province in that short period of time. We’re continuing with that objective. We just signed an agreement with the federal government for a three-year plan to continue doing it. Our commitment hasn’t changed.
Alberta Hansard, December 7, 2011