An Edmonton NDP MP is being blasted for asking the feds if they would withhold health transfers to Alberta in the wake of Premier Jason Kenney’s moves to shake up the health care system in the province..Heather McPherson, NDP MP for Edmonton Strathcona, said in the House of Commons Kenney’s changes has put the health system “under attack” with women disproportionally affected..“Will the minister commit to protecting women in Alberta and the rest of Canada,” McPherson asked..“Will she withhold transfer payments if Jason Kenney refuses to adhere to the Canada Health Act?”.But that move is being slammed by prominent Edmonton businessman and Tory candidate in Edmonton Strathcona, Rick Peterson..“It is totally fine that @HMcPhersonMP disagrees with @jkenney, but asking for federal health transfers to be withheld from Alberta is unacceptable. No level of disagreement justifies threats to Albertans’ healthcare funding, especially from the #EdmontonStrathcona MP,” said Peterson, who ran for the federal Tory leadership earlier this year..Alberta Health Minister Tyler Shandro announced earlier this month that Alberta Health Services was shedding 9,700 hundred jobs by shifting them to the private sector.. POLL: Many Albertans say they will ignore Christmas COVID lockdown .The UCP has also asked the AHS to remove 100 managers..Most of the 9,700 other jobs will now be outsourced in labs, housekeeping, food services, and laundry..There will be 2,000 laboratory jobs, 4,000 housekeeping jobs, 3,000 food service jobs, and 400 laundry jobs cut..The province said about 70 per cent of lab results are already contracted out, as is 68 per cent of laundry..AHS has 3,300 employees in management, with 68 senior leaders and 14 on the executive teams..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.,.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.TWITTER: Twitter.com/nobby7694
