Alberta giving up power to tear up, replace doctor pay agreements

A lawsuit filed by the Alberta Medical Association (AMA) is being dropped after the province agreed to stop terminating its compensation deals.
The changes will come if and when Bill 4, the Alberta Health Care Insurance Amendment Act, passes in the legislature.
The United Conservative Party government gave itself the ability to change doctor contracts back in 2019.
In February 2020, the UCP terminated a master agreement with the AMA, prompting an outcry and a lawsuit.
Health Minister Jason Copping was asked Monday why the UCP didn't make the change sooner.
"I came into the role in September of last year and my focus and direction I had from the then-premier (Jason Kenney) was a focus on reaching an agreement with the AMA, because there's so many shared interests in the context of managing through the pandemic. So, part of this was part of our discussions," Copping said.
“We appreciate this swift action…This process will encourage renewed collaboration to serve Albertans and our health-care system,” said Dr. Fredrykka Rinaldi, president of the AMA.
The government and the AMA announced a new four-year contract in September.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Powerful quake rocks Turkiye and Syria, kills more than 2,300
A powerful, 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked wide swaths of Turkiye and neighbouring Syria on Monday, killing more than 2,300 people and injuring thousands more as it toppled hundreds of buildings and trapped residents under mounds of rubble or pancaked floors.

Strongest earthquake to hit Buffalo in decades causes rumbles in southern Ontario
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake that struck near Buffalo, N.Y. Monday morning was felt in southern Ontario, officials say.
Attracting, retaining pilots an ongoing issue in Canada: industry analysts
Retirements, high training costs and poor pay are fuelling a pilot shortage in Canada, industry analysts say, at a time when travel has surged in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Canadian dollar's outlook for 2023 uncertain as interest rate hikes wane: experts
The outlook for the loonie in 2023 largely depends on commodity prices, how the U.S. dollar fares, and whether central banks are successful in avoiding a major recession, experts said.
China accuses U.S. of indiscriminate use of force over balloon
China on Monday accused the United States of indiscriminate use of force in shooting down a suspected Chinese spy balloon, saying it 'seriously impacted and damaged both sides' efforts and progress in stabilizing Sino-U.S. relations.'
BoC's first summary of deliberations coming this week. Here's what to expect
The Bank of Canada is set to publish its first summary of deliberations Wednesday, giving Canadians a peek into the governing council's reasoning behind its decision to raise interest rates last month.
Beyonce becomes most decorated artist in Grammys history; Harry Styles wins album of the year
Beyonce sits alone atop the Grammy throne as the ceremony's most decorated artist in history, but at the end of Sunday's show it was Harry Styles who walked away with the album of the year honour.
First tank sent by Canada for Ukrainian forces arrives in Poland
The first of the Leopard 2 tanks Canada is donating to Ukrainian forces has arrived in Poland.
Disney's Hong Kong service drops 'Simpsons' episode with 'forced labour' reference
Walt Disney Co. has cut an episode from the hit cartoon series 'The Simpsons' that contains a reference to "forced labour camps" in China from its streaming service in Hong Kong, according to a check of the service.