Alberta physicians reject new master agreement with provincial government

Mar 31, 2021 | 10:10 AM

EDMONTON — Alberta doctors have rejected a proposed new master agreement aimed at resolving a year’s worth of acrimony over pay and working conditions with the provincial government.

The Alberta Medical Association (AMA) says 53 per cent of physicians rejected the deal while 47 per cent supported it.

AMA President Dr. Paul Boucher says they need to find out why so many physicians voted no.

Health Minister Tyler Shandro calls the results disappointing.

He says the government will seek to renew its relationship with the AMA, which represents 11,000 physicians.

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The two sides have been butting heads since early 2020 after Shandro unilaterally cancelled the master agreement with the association.

He also implemented new fees that doctors called heavy-handed, unfair, and liable to force some family practices to close.

In response, doctors began withdrawing services and the association sued the province.

The two sides eventually returned to the table and hammered out a tentative agreement that was presented to members on February 26th to vote on.

(The Canadian Press)

by Canadian Press