Where Is Everybody?!?!?!

 

(UNA - Not Just About The Money)

UCP Crisis Privatization Profiteering While Destroying Alberta Healthcare System

Most of us agree that Alberta’s UCP government is detrimental to every citizen unless you’re a part of the Privatization Plan. As Canadians, we’re given access to Universal Health Care, via Federal Ministry Funding distribution. Yet the UCP are governing like It's already privatized to the benefit a few well-placed donors and reward those who break to law to make it all happen. As the UCP enrich their family, friends and donors, #Albertans, as a society suffers continuous and increasing unnecessary public health risks and economic hardships. No sector is immune to UCP desecration, including Nursing. 

Nurse have been frontline workers before officials declared Covid19 a pandemic. They worked without PPE, data collection or legislation to protect them while they battle with an unknows sickness that was touching every continent and nobody was listening to their warnings. Alberta Nurses were also dealing with the same chaos and still showing up to work despite having a wage freeze for the last 5 years, due to ‘stalled’ contract negotiations. Prior to Covid19 Pandemic, Nurses were poised to strike and rightly so. But instead, THEY SHOWED UP. Without support, supplies or information regarding what they were dealing with.  Alberta UCP and Dr. Tyler Shandro have been some of the biggest Science Deniers and political gas-lighters Canada has ever had to deal with. Covid19 showed their lack of empathy, their lack of connection with Albertans, their disregard of law as applied to their caucus and public image. And they continuously demanded help from the Federal Government, while refusing to accept the help when offered. UCP’s Catch22 grift.

Nurses have been showing for 18 months, despite funding cuts, program cuts, bed closures, doctor shortages, PPE shortages, test kit shortages & less talked about verbal and physical abuse that has been amped up with people’s perception of rights that don’t exist. Mockstrictions really brought out the worst in individuals.

As a reward for their sacrifice, dedication and loyalty to Albertans, UCP has gone ahead to try and change legislation removing Nurses’ authority while on shift, causing chaos and holes in liability and chain of command. Along with more funding cuts, UCP have decided Alberta nurses are over-paid, comparing (gaslighting) to other provincial entities. Not only are nurses over-paid but they were over-paid during the whole Pandemic thing, so they need to have a retro-active salary roll-back. Say what?!?!?!

So, the UNA held a Call - To - Action on Aug. 11. 2021, to inform Albertans re: attacks by the UCP, the destabilization of the healthcare system & the increased risks they take while facing increased bed closures, less physicians (they ARE leaving) & things aren’t improving. As the UCP planned, using the Pandemic as an opportunity to cause chaos, confusion & division. Almost a carbon copy of their heroes, Trumpchumps – Republicans & GOP. 

Town residents, and travelers, barely looked as they whizzed by on Highway 43, some turning off in between the small crowd of nurses and family members, holding their signs and pamphlets. And I was there, just a citizen. I was asked who I was there for, three times. Each time I said, “For you guys.” Taken back is the best way I can describe how they reacted, even with masks on, I could see surprise in their eyes.

Nobody stopped and parked to join the crowd. Nobody slowed down long enough to grab a pamphlet or ask any questions. Nobody stopped to say thank you and we support you. Those same people who want to rally for MADD and Anti-bully rallies but can’t take two hours to show support for nurses and care-providers.

Do better, Alberta. Support Healthcare workers 24/7, as they support you, the best they can with what they have. Don’t allow UCP to cut their wages or anybody who is a frontline worker. Don’t allow UCP to continue to privatize our Healthcare System to enrich his donors more, while Albertans receive less in return. Let’s keep what we have and improve on it.

Just show up, people!

Dominique Clark

Concerned Citizen, Worried Canadian, still Proud Albertan.