Alberta opposition filibusters over health care

Opposition MLAs debatedchanges to the Alberta Health Act through Wednesday night in the legislature and into Thursday.

The oppositionparties want the government to adopt independent MLA Raj ShermansamendmenttoBill 17, Alberta Health Act, that would enshrine emergency room wait times into law.

"I'm so impressed," said Sherman. "You got the NDP, Liberals and the Wildrose carrying on this debate. They have united to put their partisan beliefs aside."

"And the government wants to shut it down."

Sherman'samendment calls for maximum emergency room wait times to be six hours for 95 per cent of standard patients and four hours for 95 per cent of more seriously ill or injured patients.

The proposal surprisingly wonsupport from a government member.St. Albert MLA Ken Allredbroke ranks withthe PCparty to speak in favor of the ammendment.

He said standards must be set sothe healthcare systemcan be held accountable.

"It's not likely going to pass, but I hope there's a message there," said Allred. "And perhapsthe minister can come up with an amendment he's can live with."

Sherman, an emergency room doctor and formerPC MLA,ignited the latest round of hand-wringing over health care in the province when he accused his own party of mismanaging the emergency room crisis.

He has since beenejected from the Tory caucus.

The filibuster began at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

It will continue into Thursday afternoon, thoughthe government is expected to invoke closure to bringthe marathon debate to an end.