Public Affairs Update Header
Issue No. 23July 23, 2012
In This Issue
Premiers Clark and Redford Meet at Alberta Legislature
Appointment and Assignment Changes to the BC NDP Caucus
Private Clinics Found to be Engaging in Extra Billing
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The Public Affairs Update is your weekly insight, perspective and analysis on politics in British Columbia and Canada.  This newsletter is brought to you by the largest, and most broadly-based business organization in the province, the BC Chamber of Commerce - the Voice of Business in BC.

 

Premiers Clark and Redford Meet at Alberta Legislature

alberta pipeline support  

Premier Christy Clark met with her Alberta counterpart Premier Alison Redford last Thursday at the Alberta legislature.

 

Premier Redford confirmed that the Northern Gateway project was a topic of discussion. The meeting was described as a preparatory discussion preceding the Council of Federation conference taking place in Halifax next week.

 

Both the Alberta and the federal governments support the Northern Gateway project; however, Premier Clark has yet to take a stand on the issue. She has, however, expressed concern publicly about the risks associated with the project and the perceived lack of benefits for BC.

 

Appointment and Assignment Changes to the BC NDP Caucus

 

Last Wednesday, BC NDP Leader Adrian Dix announced changes to his caucus critic assignments. Joe Trasolini has been appointed the critic for housing, construction and business development; and Gwen O'Mahony the critic for skills training.

 

Other critic changes included:

  • Shane Simpson: labour;
  • Raj Chouhan: multiculturalism, immigration and human rights;
  • Doug Donaldson: mining;
  • Maurine Karagianis: Liquor Distribution Branch;
  • Spencer Chandra Herbert: BC Lottery Corporation and Gaming;
  • Mable Elmore: ICBC and deputy critic for finance;
  • Doug Routley: deputy health critic; and
  • Sue Hammell: women's issues, child care and early learning

 

Private Clinics Found to be Engaging in Extra Billing

 

An audit by the Medical Services Commission (MSC) found that Specialist Referral Clinic Inc. and Cambie Surgeries Corp. have been extra billing patients for services covered under the province's Medical Services Plan.

 

The report found that extra billing occurred in 205 out of 468 cases at the clinics. The value of the extra billing is believed to be just under $500,000.

 

Dr. Brian Day, who owns Cambie Surgeries Corp., has indicated he intends to maintain the facility's operational status quo. He has already issued a constitutional challenge to the MEDICARE Protection Act, and has indicated he has patient support behind his efforts.

 



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This weekly report produced for the BC Chamber of Commerce by Fleishman-Hillard.  While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information included in this publication as of the date of issue, events and government policies are subject to frequent change.  Therefore, the BC Chamber of Commerce and Fleishman-Hillard cannot assume any responsibility for actions taken solely or principally on the basis on the information contained herein.