Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi is urgently calling on Premier Danielle Smith and the United Conservative Party (UCP) government to declare a state of emergency in response to mounting pressures within the province's hospital system. This demand comes after weeks of escalating concerns raised by Alberta doctors about overcrowding and unsafe conditions in healthcare facilities.
Mounting Pressure on Healthcare System
Nenshi's emergency declaration request follows recent revelations from Alberta physicians who compiled a detailed document outlining several cases of preventable deaths and "near misses" that have occurred in recent weeks. According to Nenshi, many hospitals across Alberta are currently operating well over 100 percent capacity, creating what he describes as unsafe conditions for both patients and healthcare workers.
"We are operating well over 100 per cent capacity in many hospitals with unsafe conditions for many people," Nenshi stated. "This declaration means that the organization can focus its efforts in an all hands on deck way to look for innovative solutions."
Government Response to Concerns
At an unrelated press conference on Tuesday, Hospitals and Surgical Health Services Minister Matt Jones acknowledged that the anonymized cases described in the physicians' document are concerning. However, he emphasized that these represent only a small percentage of patients entering emergency rooms across the province.
"I don't feel that these cases are representative of the incredible care that our system — our front line health care professionals — provide on a day-to-day basis," Jones said. "I do take them seriously. We must learn from them."
Jones noted that Alberta emergency departments see approximately two million people annually, with only 0.07 percent of those patients dying while receiving care.
What a State of Emergency Would Mean
Under Alberta's Public Health Act, the government can declare either a province-wide or select-areas state of public health emergency. This declaration requires the advice of the chief medical officer of health and approval from the lieutenant governor in council when there is evidence that a public health emergency exists or may exist, requiring swift, organized action or special measures to protect public health.
If declared, a state of emergency would grant health ministers, provincial health agencies, or provincial health corporations significant authority for up to 60 days, including:
- The ability to take control of property for temporary periods
- Authority to request trained professionals to provide support
- Power to enter property without a warrant
- Control to organize health care resources and services more effectively
According to the legislation, such an emergency declaration typically ends after 30 days, or after 90 days if related to a pandemic disease, unless terminated earlier by the lieutenant governor in council based on advice from the chief medical officer of health.
Nenshi's Perspective and Additional Demands
As the former mayor of Calgary, Nenshi emphasized that declaring a state of emergency isn't primarily about acquiring new powers. Instead, he framed it as a necessary short-term, coordinated response requiring an "all hands on deck" effort from all levels of government and healthcare providers.
In addition to the emergency declaration request, Nenshi has called for the Alberta legislature to reconvene to address what he characterizes as a growing healthcare crisis. This move would allow for more immediate legislative action and public accountability regarding the province's healthcare challenges.
The ongoing debate highlights the tension between political leadership and healthcare administration in Alberta, with opposition parties demanding more aggressive action while the current government maintains that the system continues to function effectively despite acknowledged challenges.
