Edmonton — Premier Ralph Klein braced for a "firestorm" yesterday after warning that his government is prepared to violate the Canada Health Act in an effort to make medicare in Alberta sustainable.
"I told caucus what we do may contravene the interpretation of the principles of the Canada Health Act and that we ought to be ready for a firestorm," he told reporters.
While Mr. Klein said Alberta would violate the federal legislation only as a last resort, he vowed that the province would act alone if he cannot persuade his fellow premiers and Ottawa that substantial change is necessary.
"We need to talk about reform. We need to talk about how the Canada Health Act is interpreted. And we need to have the flexibility to try new and different and innovative things," he said.
Mr. Klein — who was under fire again yesterday for his government's spending on travel and hospitality — vowed to raise the issue of spiralling health-care costs at a premiers meeting next week in Vancouver.
"I think this government represents a clear and present threat to the future of public health care in Canada," New Democrat Leader Raj Pannu said.
"So long as this Premier, and this government, remains in power and has the ability to undo the system, we should expect it to continue along this path."
Mr. Klein said his Progressive Conservative government may consider measures including delisting services and charging fees to visit doctors.
