Medicine Hat residents voice what they want in 2020 provincial budget

“I would say I would be concerned about the seniors because of all the cutting and the funding. I’d be concerned about healthcare. Hopefully, we will I guess from my point of view, hopefully, we will be able to overcome those issues and make a positive step rather than backward.”

Albertans will get to see exactly what the government’s plan entails next week when the budget comes down on Thursday, February 27.

Cypress-Medicine Hat UCP MLA Drew Barnes says the problem has been that costs have been rising exponentially. “We’re now $23-billion a year in healthcare just in Alberta – the highest per-capita anywhere in Canada. So I would hope and encourage the UCP government to look for effective ways to provide services at more efficient costs.”

Barnes says the government also needs to clear waiting times, backlogs in emergencies, and assisted living places.

One resident told Chat News, “They’re picking on hospitals now as well which doesn’t make any sense and the nurses and doctors. Yeah, we pay higher than other people I guess provincially for our medical services but we seem to have very good medical services compared to other people. I have relatives on the east coast, they don’t have that privilege. So hopefully it gets better.”

When it comes to education, Barnes says the government needs to make sure students are supported with good teachers, enough educational assistants, and proper infrastructure.

According to Barnes, “We also need to make sure our curriculum has a chance to be very competitive for the 21st century. And to make sure it has some element of Alberta history, Alberta geography.”

“I’m hoping it goes to frontline so it goes to patient care and teachers in the classroom. That’s where I’m hoping the money will be spent, so we’ll see,” said another resident.

Barnes says last year Alberta had a $9.3-billion taxpayer-supported deficit. And we’re now $72-billion in debt.

Another local told Chat News, “I’m not really into politics but it seems like every time the budget comes down they’re always clipping something else. So my biggest thing seems to be cuts on education and healthcare.”

Meantime, Barnes says its time southeastern Alberta gets some recognition. Whether it’s support for HALO or the elimination of the sage grouse protection order with the federal government. “Or even Highway 3, the UCP government needs to remember that we’re part of Alberta as well.”

Barnes says it’s important the 2020 budget gets on the government’s plan to balance within three years.

This budget will also be laser-focused on job creation in a time of fiscal restraint according to Brooks-Medicine Hat UCP MLA Michaela Glasgo.

She says, “We have a lot of programs to pay for that Albertans need and deserve and Albertans can expect quality public education and quality public healthcare from our government.”

by Chantal Wagner

Medicine Hat residents voice what they want in 2020 provincial budget

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