Health-Protesters Interrupt UCP News Conference in Calgary

A United Conservative Party press conference was interrupted by protesters on Thursday to oppose the privatization of hospitals in Calgary.

The event which was focused on a seniors’ discount, was interrupted by three protesters holding signs and shouting “Hospitals are not for sale.” The protesters interrupted UCP candidate for Calgary Mountain View, Pamela Rath and Danielle Smith was ushered away immediately.

According to reports by CTV News, the protest appeared to be an attack on a video made by Smith in 2021 where she proposed that Calgary’s Rockyview General Hospital, Peter Lougheed Centre and South Health Campus be sold to private operators.

The protesters eventually left after a few minutes and the protest ended peacefully. Smith returned to the stage to address the issue. “Activist like we just saw here, and the NDP, keep trying to confuse the issue. They are completely different issues.”

She said “one of the things our government did when we got elected was we began a process using chartered surgical centres which are doctor-run surgical centres. They bill our government, they are paid directly, no one pays out of pocket for treatment. It’s exactly the way doctor’s office work.”

Few hours after the protest, NDP said “what happened today during a press conference with Danielle Smith was unacceptable and we strongly condemn the actions taken by the protesters involved.”

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