Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley held a joint press conference today with MLA Heather Sweet and a long-time Advanced Care Paramedic, Jason Soklofske.
The NDP are pushing for presumptive COVID-19 coverage for all essential Alberta workers.
Notley and Sweet both put the call out to reopen the legislature so that important bills like this can be tabled.
“According to the WCB, as of the beginning of April, less than 7000 of COVID-19 claims have been accepted as work related by the WCB since the pandemic began,” said Notley.
She went on to state that workers not getting coverage are “left paying out of pocket for many long term effects from COVID-19.”
She pointed out that people that are given doctor recommendations for special services and treatment don’t have the WCB coverage that they need.
Part of the press conference was also dedicated to drumming up support for front line health care workers, with a call to bring back a PTSD provision that was removed by the Alberta Government last Fall.
Advanced Care Paramedic Jason Soklofske, spoke to the reasons that people in his field of work need more protection and support, and also asked for presumptive coverage.
Notley stated that “this is only one leg of support that we need for working people. There are three fundamental pillars of what workers need.
Paid Vaccination Leave.
Paid Sick Leave.
And Proper WCB Coverage.”
When Notley was asked to respond to the comments from Justice Minister Kaycee Madu about the opposition party wanting to see the provinces healthcare system collapse under the stress of the pandemic, the NDP leader pointed out how the party has pushed for paid sick leave, more benefits, grants for businesses, and also health measures to keep people safe, out of the hospital, and to help lessen the stress on front line workers.
The NDP released a statement yesterday calling for Madu to apologize for his comments.
-Damien Gnass, Trending 55
