“You’ll have to pay to see a doctor.” Untrue..“She’ll sell our hospitals.” Untrue..“Your pensions are at risk.” Untrue..Albertans have heard these claims from Alberta’s New Democratic Party time and time again for months. The only problem is not even one of these claims, nor numerous others, represents a policy position that the United Conservative Party holds..The NDP knows that these claims are nonsense. And it makes them hypocrites on the trust issue..Charging Albertans to see a doctor is not allowed under the Canada Health Act. UCP Leader Danielle Smith herself just signed a historic funding agreement with the federal government that protects public health care. She’s also signed a public health guarantee and spent more on health care than any of her predecessors. The result of these investments is that Alberta now has more doctors and nurses per capita than we ever did under the NDP..The video clip the NDP circulates claiming that it shows Smith will ‘sell hospitals’ doesn’t even have the phrase ‘sell hospitals’ in it. That’s because what Smith is talking about in the clip is something both the NDP and the UCP embraced to reduce wait times — doctor-owned surgical partnerships. Albertans do not pay to use these facilities, and they are by far the most compassionate solution for Albertans that would otherwise be left suffering on wait lists..On pensions, Smith has been adamant that your pension is yours. That her government will take no action on pension reform without a successful referendum. And there is no plan to have such a referendum..In the last few weeks, the NDP has attacked analysis by both our independent Alberta Electrical Systems Operator (AESO) and Alberta Health Services..The AESO estimates the cost of Notley’s accelerated 2035 electricity regulations to be a further $52 billion dollars and a 40% increase in costs to Albertans. The NDP would have you believe that Twitter threads invalidate the sophisticated technical modelling of AESO’s engineers..A recent AHS report showed that Smith’s 10-point plan reforming health care has resulted in significant reductions in emergency room wait times, significantly improved ambulance coverage, and reduced surgical wait times, among other vital indicators tracking the overall health of our health care system. But, according to the NDPs Kathleen Ganley, AHS objective facts don’t match the NDP’s anecdotes — so AHS must be wrong. Truly gobsmacking stuff. While Smith correctly acknowledges that there’s more to be done on health care, to claim things aren’t improving is simply not true..The real loser in all of this has been Albertans. By refusing to engage on the ideas that the UCP holds, the campaign has been dominated by a she-said, she-said, she-said, with little debate on the actual merits of either party’s ideas..This is a particularly odd strategy for the NDP, given that Rachel Notley is trying to make the ballot question be about trust..Campaigning in trust, while pushing things you don’t actually believe will happen is dishonest. Voters will instinctively see the absence of integrity..Smith, for her part, is asking Albertans to measure her on what she has done in seven months and on the UCPs accomplishments since 2019..Over the last four years, Albertans have lived through an improved jobs market. Albertans have watched the UCP government compassionately handle many sensitive issues like affordability, mental health, and addictions. Albertans have seen the UCP tackle serious challenges like public safety with common sense. They have watched the UCP make reasonable rational decisions on energy and the environment. Has Smith or the UCP been perfect? No, but the bigger question is who do I trust to take care of my beautiful province?.So, it’s time to better define the trust question. Albertans should ask themselves who do you trust on jobs, the economy, on affordability, keeping our families safe, our seniors secure, health care, protecting our businesses, environment and energy sector..Forsyth is a former Calgary MLA and interim leader of the Wildrose Party.
