Attached: 1 image AUPE Media Release: Bill 55 would allow private ownership of Alberta’s hospitals EDMONTON – The Alberta government must pull the bill that would allow for private ownership of the province's hospitals, says the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE). “Bill 55 is the last straw,” says AUPE Vice-President Sandra Azocar. “We all depend on quality public health care, and now is the time to fight for it. If not, get ready to pay through the nose for American-style health care services.” In Budget 2025, the government’s Fiscal Plan (page 13) put hundreds of health care facilities under new ownership: the provincial government via Alberta Infrastructure. Now, Bill 55 allows the government to appoint anyone who is not a provincial health agency or provincial health corporation to operate Alberta’s hospitals. “Because of Bill 55 and Budget 2025, the government now has 380 land titles & 700 structures it can sell,” says Azocar. “Those are all hospitals and health care facilities that Albertans have paid for and depend on.” The Alberta government has repeatedly promised to improve health care, but Bill 55 does not. In fact, most of this government’s actions have worsened health care services, according to AUPE members. Health care unions were not consulted when the government began breaking Alberta Health Services into pieces like Primary and Acute Care Alberta, for example. Staff remain in the dark, left with anxiety and unanswered questions about their futures. “Instead of improving public health care, the government is preparing the system for privatization,” says Azocar. “If Alberta's hospitals are sold or given to private entities, quality will be sacrificed in the name of cutting corners and turning a profit. “Albertans deserve a government that cares about quality public health care, not gifting hospitals to their greedy friends or selling them to the highest bidder.” #abpoli #unionstrong #union #healthcare