[David A]

I just don't like it to be so political. There should be some kind of open conversation how many hospital beds should be per population/area. And then how much money we need to make that build and to run those facilities. And then we would probably see that we need to pay healthcare tax as I don't see oil royalties going up anytime soon if ever. And then put that for vote. Instead of a political party cherry picking winners. On the other hand, I don't see anyone in teachers picket shouting "increase our property taxes", wouldn't that sound unpopular.. so at the end of the day nothing will be solved without some sort of a tax reform. Even provincial %5 GST would solve many problems but again, that's unpopular. So basically people get what they want even if they not always like the outcome. I believe NDP and UCP just pulling the same rope on different ends that is just too short. Of course, you can argue that UCP gave tax breaks to corporations but idea was to attract new businesses and increase hiring that would bring more tax revenue but that by large hasn't happened. At least not in a diversification sense which we need the most and are decade behind. Anyway, my prediction is that eventually we will get a tax reform just to keep services at the current level. That's a broad perspective but it does come down indirectly to the healthcare funding and hospitals.

In the end unfortunately decisions about large projects seem to have a political element at least under the current UCP government. We have watched as new hospitals have been built in Calgary, Grande Prairie, Fort Sask and Red Deer. Not to say that these places don't need them too, but with no new hospitals in Edmonton since the late 1980's and a population that has doubled there seems to be quite a need here to, which I feel was finally recognized in 2018 when this project was put forward However, unfortunately the government changed shortly after that and it was then put on hold/cancelled.

It is up to the government to decide how to fund this, they just need to need to do it somehow. However, those lower corporate tax rates don't seem to be helping much while large companies like Imperial Oil lay off people despite being profitable and move jobs to the US.

 

[johnnyboy]

 

[SarcasticMarmot]

View attachment 717747

Crumbs meant to cheaply lay the groundwork for announcements right before an election: "vote for us, we are building hospitals in Edmonton". Only for a "challenging fiscal environment" to require their cancellation right after the election. This game is wearisome.

 

[archited]

^ "Fool me once..."

 

[Airboy]

At least 5 years for anything to be done. So If it goes ahead it could be 7 years before we see any new facility.

As someone whose loved one has had to rely on our Healthcare system quite heavily the past year and probably more so moving ahead, I have no hope of ever seeing a new hospital built or one that we could use. That and the appalling conditions of all the current hospital is quite disheartening for someone who has spent over 60 years building and supporting this province. When I head out to BC next month we will be actively looking for a place to move.

 

[David A]

Crumbs meant to cheaply lay the groundwork for announcements right before an election: "vote for us, we are building hospitals in Edmonton". Only for a "challenging fiscal environment" to require their cancellation right after the election. This game is wearisome.

Agreed. They will probably continue to dangle these projects in front of us, with not too much happening or being spent so they can make some big announcements before the next election which they can later renege on.

Again, the reason hospitals are so crowded in this city now is not recent immigrants, but that no new hospital has been built here in around 40 years and even worse the UCP cancelled the one proposed some years ago.

 

[MacLac]

“Here’s hoping,” Frank…..good luck on Saddlebags building anything g that closely resembles a hospital anytime soon

#strathconacounty | Rod Frank, JD

Alberta’s provincial government #StrathconaCounty Community Hospital expansion NEWS! Subject to planning, the project will add up to 120 inpatient beds, develop new surgical suites capable of supporting approximately 4,100 surgeries annually, and include two endoscopy procedure rooms...

www.linkedin.com

 

[Vanfan123]

In the end unfortunately decisions about large projects seem to have a political element at least under the current UCP government. We have watched as new hospitals have been built in Calgary, Grande Prairie, Fort Sask and Red Deer. Not to say that these places don't need them too, but with no new hospitals in Edmonton since the late 1980's and a population that has doubled there seems to be quite a need here to, which I feel was finally recognized in 2018 when this project was put forward However, unfortunately the government changed shortly after that and it was then put on hold/cancelled.

It is up to the government to decide how to fund this, they just need to need to do it somehow. However, those lower corporate tax rates don't seem to be helping much while large companies like Imperial Oil lay off people despite being profitable and move jobs to the US.

The Alberta UCP government chose to fund Calgary’s New Scotia Place Arena Construction which will open sometime 2027 , over the New South Edmonton Hospital project - (reason as UCP has more MLA’s in Calgary elected) & Edmonton has 0 UCP as its all NDP .

Its Politics at is best!

(If) NDP wins the next provincial election in Alberta taking place sometime next year. - they will “Fund New South Edmonton Hospital %”.

 

[Whatup]

The Alberta UCP government chose to fund Calgary’s New Scotia Place Arena Construction which will open sometime 2027 , over the New South Edmonton Hospital project - (reason as UCP has more MLA’s in Calgary elected) & Edmonton has 0 UCP as its all NDP . Its Politics at is best! (If) NDP wins the next provincial election in Alberta taking place sometime next year. - they will “Fund New South Edmonton Hospital %”.

The Alberta UCP government chose to fund Calgary’s New Scotia Place Arena Construction which will open sometime 2027 , over the New South Edmonton Hospital project - (reason as UCP has more MLA’s in Calgary elected) & Edmonton has 0 UCP as its all NDP .

Its Politics at is best!

(If) NDP wins the next provincial election in Alberta taking place sometime next year. - they will “Fund New South Edmonton Hospital %”.

If the NDP wins the next election they will pander to Calgary just like Notley did - don't you remember how Notley went to Calgary during the last election and promised huge spending for Calgary to try and win voters there to ensure an NDP majority. Calgary is a battleground city that determines the election outcome. Edmonton is not a battleground city because it is socialist and always votes NDP - the NDP could treat Edmonton like a gulag and the loyal public employee union members will still vote for them - Edmonton is too predictable politically.

 

[Glenco]

If the NDP wins the next election they will pander to Calgary just like Notley did - don't you remember how Notley went to Calgary during the last election and promised huge spending for Calgary to try and win voters there to ensure an NDP majority. Calgary is a battleground city that determines the election outcome. Edmonton is not a battleground city because it is socialist and always votes NDP - the NDP could treat Edmonton like a gulag and the loyal public employee union members will still vote for them - Edmonton is too predictable politically.

Edmonton has not always voted NDP for the longest time Conservatives were the only option. It wasn’t until recently that people realized that voting Conservative got us absolutely nowhere with the cons focusing on Calgary and rural Alberta to win elections. A formula pioneered by Peter the great.

 

[cmd uw]

Edmonton has been a calico cat pattern of blue, orange and red for many years up until the last decade. To claim it's not a 'battleground' is not entirely accurate.

 

[_urbanite]

^ there are ridings in this city that certainly lean more conservative too (SW and W ridings in particular) that could realistically swing to the UCP in an election

 

[Kosy123]

Yeah, Edmonton SW is a closer riding, and in a strong UCP wave election could flip blue as it did in 2019. Edmonton West-Henday is a possibility too, along with Edmonton-Decore. Sharif Haji won the nomination there for the NDP for the reason that the UCP (and then the CPC candidate for Edmonton-Centre) Sayid Ahmed was rallying the Somali and East African vote to his side.

The main reason it seems like it's not competitive anymore is that the Red Tories in Edmonton are politically homeless and have overwhelmingly voted NDP, the progressives in Edmonton actually have a party to vote for, and that the Alberta NDP's ground game is impeccable. Other parties wish they had the mobilization factor of the Alberta NDP.

But the comment is ragebait so welcome to the People's Autonomous Republic of Edmonton

 

[MacLac]

Wonder where we’re at the new “Ben Stelter Proton” facility? It’s been what? 2 years since it was first announced? Is it waiting for the New Stollery? Did Saddlebags squash it?

Ben Stelter Foundation

benstelterfoundation.com

 

[David A]

Edmonton has not always voted NDP for the longest time Conservatives were the only option. It wasn’t until recently that people realized that voting Conservative got us absolutely nowhere with the cons focusing on Calgary and rural Alberta to win elections. A formula pioneered by Peter the great.

And the Calgary business crowd is also realizing the separatist dominated UCP is not so great for business, nor is their overall incompetence and poor treatment of the larger cities. So that may just leave the UCP with a rural rump like the Wildrose Party it has turned into.