Politics · Canada · 7 hrs ago
Alberta doctors’ survey finds most would leave if province separated
The Alberta Medical Association surveyed 1,649 physicians about what they would do if Alberta became independent from Canada.
Fifty-five per cent said they would move elsewhere in Canada, while 15 per cent said they would stay and practise in Alberta, and 18 per cent were unsure.
A small percentage said they would retire or leave medicine earlier than planned.
The survey comes as Albertans prepare to vote in a referendum on Oct.
19, after five days of advance voting began.
The association says separation could leave Alberta with a smaller medical workforce and a gap in health-care funding because the province would lose federal money.
It also says questions remain about access to medicines, equipment and medical services, as well as how proposed immigration rules could affect care.
The association’s president has asked provincial health ministers for clarity, and the association says uncertainty about coverage should not delay necessary treatment.
A survey by the Alberta Medical Association found that 55 per cent of physicians surveyed would move to another Canadian province or territory if Alberta separated.
The survey of 1,649 physicians found 15 per cent would continue living and practising in Alberta, while 18 per cent were uncertain.
The association says separation could shrink the medical workforce and leave health-care funding and services in an uncertain position.
The survey results were published as advance voting began ahead of Alberta’s Oct. 19 referendum.
- Who
- The Alberta Medical Association surveyed 1,649 physicians.
- What
- The survey found that 55 per cent would move to another Canadian province or territory if Alberta separated. The association also raised concerns about the effects of separation on health care.
- When
- The results were published Tuesday, the first day of five days of advance voting. The referendum is scheduled for Oct. 19.
- Where
- Alberta.
- Why
- The survey examined physicians’ plans if Alberta became independent. The association said separation could affect the medical workforce, health-care funding and services.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Fell wrote to the province’s health ministers seeking more clarity on health-care questions related to the referendum.
The association published the survey results as the first of five days of advance voting began.
Alberta’s official referendum day is scheduled.
- Physicians surveyed
- 1,649
- Would move to another Canadian province or territory
- 55 per cent
- Would continue living and practising in Alberta
- 15 per cent
- Uncertain about what they would do
- 18 per cent
- Referendum date
- Oct. 19
1 source
What people are saying
What could the referendum outcomes mean for patients, physicians and Alberta’s health-care system?
uncertainty about coverage should not unnecessarily delay care, and physicians and their staff should not be placed in the position of determining or enforcing a patient’s immigration or coverage status.