Shandro, relegated as Alberta’s health minister, assumes job portfolio in exchange for Copping

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Tyler Shandro is no longer Alberta’s health minister after more than a year of strong criticism for his handling of the portfolio.

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Shandro was removed in a brief ceremony Tuesday afternoon, swapping roles with former Labor and Immigration Minister Jason Copping, who now assumes the Health Ministry.

The media were not invited to the ceremony, which was broadcast online. At a press conference later that day, Prime Minister Jason Kenney said Shandro offered to resign from the health post and that both he and Shandro agreed it was time for a change.

“It’s time for a fresh start and a new set of eyes on the largest department of government, especially at a time like this,” Kenney said, adding that it has been a “grueling” file for Shandro.

Shandro had repeatedly faced calls to resign as Health Minister amid the COVID-19 pandemic and a protracted dispute between the government and doctors.

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Rachel Notley, leader of the NDP, whose party had made those calls, said the news of Shandro’s confusion was “welcome,” but not a solution to the crisis unfolding in Alberta’s hospitals, which are overwhelmed by COVID. -19.

“A cabinet change will not relieve the immense pressure on our hospitals due to this severe fourth wave. It won’t reschedule the surgeries that save the lives of thousands of Albertans. It will not recover our economy. And it won’t help ordinary families seeking leadership. Albertans deserve better. “

As the newly appointed health minister, Copping said his focus will be on increasing hospital capacity, educating Albertans who doubt vaccines, and preparing the health care system for potential future waves of COVID-19.

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“I took on this role, resolutely committed to immediate capacity building. However, we also know that COVID-19 is unlikely to go anywhere anytime soon, ”he said.

Shandro’s departure comes as the province faces the fourth wave of COVID-19, which has put heavy pressure on the health care system, particularly in intensive care units, leading to the cancellation of all surgeries that are considered nonessential and ask for help from other provinces and the federal government.

Kenney under fire

It also comes as Kenney faces an internal conflict over the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. On Tuesday, a senior PCU member called for his resignation, days after asking the PCU board to hold an emergency meeting to discuss an early leadership review.

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Mount Royal University political scientist Duane Bratt said Tuesday that he doesn’t think trading Shandro for Copping is enough to quell the discontent Kenney faces.

“I don’t think he could have done anything to keep his job. I mean, Shandro is being removed, why? Because it implemented exactly what the prime minister wanted it to do, ”he said.

Ahead of a caucus meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Kenney said he believes he still has the support of his party, caucus and party board members.

“There have been voices of opposition to public health policies within my own party since the first day of the pandemic. It is not a secret. But my responsibility as prime minister is to listen to public health advice, look at reality, not wish for it, not allow politics to pressure us so that we do not take the necessary measures to save lives and protect the health system ”, said.

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Bratt also said he believes removing Shandro from the health record has been in the works for some time, but that Kenney was delayed until after Monday’s federal election to avoid doing more harm to federal conservatives.

When asked several times by reporters about the timing of Shandro’s move, Kenney repeated that the couple decided it was time for a “new pair of eyes” and said the government is focused on overcoming the fourth wave of the pandemic, not in politics. .

‘Good trip’: AUPE

Shandro was regularly at odds with health care associations and doctors in the province, prompting multiple calls for his resignation.

In March 2020, After Shandro was charged with confronting a Calgary doctor on his driveway over a social media post, Kenney declined such calls, saying it was understandable that Shandro became “passionate” in defending his spouse.

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After doctors rejected a contract offer from the province in April 2021, Kenney declined calls to fire him, saying he had their “complete 100 percent confidence.”
Dr. Paul Boucher, president of the Alberta Medical Association, said that while there have been difficult times during the negotiations, he appreciates Shandro’s “efforts to improve relationships with physicians in recent months.”

I wish him well. We look forward to continuing with his successor our current efforts to solidify the relationship between the government and the medical profession, ”he said in a statement Tuesday.

In 2020, the government said it would cut 11,000 jobs in Alberta’s health services, mainly by outsourcing positions in laboratories, cleaning, foodservice and laundry. The change is estimated to save $ 600 million a year.

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The Alberta Provincial Employees Union (AUPE), which has raised the alarm over outsourcing, welcomed the news of Shandro’s departure.
“Have a good trip,” said Susan Slade, vice president of AUPE, in a statement. “Tyler Shandro set Alberta’s health care system on fire and hung Albertans to dry during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s about time he suffered some consequences for his actions. “

Meanwhile, Kenney thanked Shandro for his service and called him “one of the hardest working people I have ever met.”

The AUPE and Friends of Medicare criticized Copping for a law he introduced last year that limits alleged coverage for psychological injuries only to firefighters, police officers, law enforcement officers, paramedics, correctional officers and emergency dispatchers.

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Friends of Medicare also condemned a call made by its local constituency for the government to “support the option of a privately funded and managed healthcare system” during the 2020 UCP convention.

Slade said moving Shandro is Kenney’s attempt to save his reputation by giving the impression of a new beginning for his government’s health record management.

“This is still the Kenney government,” he said. “This does not erase how he has mistreated and attacked health workers. Doctors will not forget it. The nurses will not forget it. Support services will not forget. Patients won’t forget it. “

– With files from Lisa Johnson

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