By Alex McCuaig

Protest march

Protesters rally against government cuts at city hall

Feb 29, 2020 | 3:22 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Around 200 Hatters turned out on blustery Saturday to protest the provincial government’s cuts to services, joining thousands of others across southern Alberta.

The group made up primarily of public sector workers, and bolstered by members of the public, descended on city hall and marched along First Street during the mid-day protest.

Using at times salty language, Dr. Bill Ruzycki spoke to the crowd and warned them of the impacts of the cuts to Alberta’s medical system.

“The doctors of Alberta do not support these cuts. The doctors of Alberta feel that they are foolish and hazardous to the public. They will cause longer waiting lines, poorer service and increase mortality in hospitals and the communities,” said Ruzycki.

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In particular, Ruzycki says the impact of the province’s tearing up the negotiated agreement between the province’s doctors and the Alberta government will be felt acutely in rural areas.

“The general mood of doctors in Alberta is terrible,” he said. “And when I say terrible, I mean terrible. We’ve had meetings where we’ve had rural docs crying at the meetings – crying because they won’t be able to maintain the same level of service for their patients.”

Retiree John Marchi said he is fed up with the Kenney government’s moves and showed up Saturday to make his displeasure known after being an Alberta taxpayer for 47 years – making his dislike of Premier Jason Kenney abundantly clear.

“This man lies like a sidewalk,” said Marchi of the premier. “I mean this man could give lessons to Trump and Trudeau. I’m disgusted at what he is doing to healthcare – he is gutting healthcare – I’m disgusted what he is doing to senior citizens – because I’m one of them. It’s just totally wrong. He is ruining this province.”

Kelly Garland from the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA), says members of his public sector union have concerns about their ability to provide health services to residents with looming layoffs on the horizon.

“We go to work every day, we work really hard to try to provide good quality care and this government is making it very difficult to do that,” said Garland. “What they’re doing to us doesn’t make any sense – it’s all about half-truths and lies.”

Protest marches were also held in Lethbridge, Calgary, Red Deer and Banff on Saturday. Calgary’s protest is estimated to have drawn the largest crowd with around 2,000 showing up to their city hall were NDP Opposition Leader Rachel Notley was in attendance.