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Liberal Leader Addresses Southern Alberta Issues During Lethbridge Visit

Apr 28, 2016 | 4:36 PM

LETHBRIDGE – The Alberta Liberal leader came to town on Thursday to hear concerns from southern Albertans.

Dr. David Swann spoke to the Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs about mental health, watershed protection and Bill 6.

He said that despite claims to the contrary, coverage from the Workers’ Compensation Board provides better protection than private insurance.

“Farm workers who are injured or killed can sue a farm owner unless they have workers compensation,” Dr. Swann said. “Thats the benefit of WCB, it protects both the farm owner and the farm worker.”

He also spoke about the Mental Health Review published in February that he co-authored.

He says he’s pleased with the steps the government has taken, but there’s still more that can be done.

“The problem is that we don’t have enough investment in up front issues,” he said. “We haven’t gotten to the point yet where health services are working collaboratively together to make sure our services are efficient as well as effective.”

Other points Dr. Swann touched on were protection for watershed areas in Southern Alberta and infrastructure funding.

He said that the amount of investment needed shows the problems with the previous government, but also the importance of keeping people employed in tough economic times.