Alberta NDP Finance Critic and Lethbridge-West Candidate Shannon Phillips is joined by Alberta NDP candidates Cathy Hogg and Gwendoline Dirk. (Photo Courtesy Brendan Miller)

By Brendan Miller

NDP’s Shannon Phillips claims Danielle Smith has ‘hidden agenda’ on health care

May 23, 2023 | 5:00 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – At an appearance to support local candidates Gwendoline Dirk and Cathy Hogg, an Alberta NDP heavyweight said the UCP has a hidden agenda that will hinder Albertans’ access to health care.

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“You cannot trust Danielle Smith, she does have a hidden agenda that will cause great harm to Alberta and to Albertans,” Shannon Phillips said on Tuesday in Medicine Hat.

Phillips, running in Lethbridge-West, says Smith plans to sell off public hospitals in Calgary and Medicine Hat and her plans to privatize parts of our health-care system are similar to the American health-care model.

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Phillips also targeted the government’s budget to give municipalities the ability to hire their own police service, saying it’s cost Alberta more than $1.3 billion.

Phillips also criticized the UCP leader’s plan to hire around 5,000 tax collectors, saying it would cost the province $500 million on the low end.

“That cannot be our job creation strategy that we are going to hire 5,000 tax collectors but that is what we hear from Danielle Smith. In fact it’s really been the only productive idea in terms of hiring people that she’s put on the table,” says Phillips.

Phillips says if elected the NDP has a plan to expand access to health care and hire and retain more doctors and health specialists.

She says the NDP recently added funding in their platform for mental health services.

“There is also funding for five mental health therapy sessions per person and we will begin that funding right away if elected by the fall so I imagine those programs will be up and running within a six month to 12-month time horizon,” promises Phillips.

NDP leader Rachel Notley will be campaigning in Medicine Hat on Thursday at McNally’s Tap House.