A new Leger survey shows that tensions in Alberta’s public sector continue to influence how residents view the provincial government. Nearly half say the handling of the AUPE health-care support workers’ strike has worsened their opinion of Premier Danielle Smith and the UCP, similar to what was seen during the recent teachers’ strike.
Albertans are also more inclined to say AUPE is handling the dispute better than the province, and sympathy leans toward frontline workers. Confidence in the health-care system remains divided, with about four in ten expressing confidence and a similar number saying they are not confident.
Uncertainty surrounds Bill 11. More Albertans believe it will lengthen wait times rather than shorten them. Concerns also extend to staffing. Almost half say planned staff reductions will reduce the quality of care, while fewer than one in five believe the cuts will improve efficiency.
Key highlights of this study include
- Public Sector Tensions Continue to Challenge Government Standing
Nearly half of Albertans say the handling of the AUPE health-care support workers’ strike has worsened their opinion of Premier Danielle Smith and the UCP government, indicating the dispute has the potential to be politically problematic similar to the recent teacher’s strike.
- Unions Viewed More Favourably than the Government
Albertans are more likely to say AUPE is handling the situation better than the province. Sympathy leans toward front-line workers over the government, similar to the broader support for organized labour seen during the teachers’ strike.
- Low Confidence in Alberta’s Healthcare System
Confidence remains divided, four in ten (39%) are confident, while a similar proportion (40%) are not.
- Skepticism/Uncertainty Toward Bill 11 (Health Statutes Amendment Act)
A plurality (34%) believe allowing doctors to work in both public and private systems will lengthen wait times, not shorten them. However, 25% believe wait times will shorten and less than 1 in 4 are unsure of the impact at this time.
- Healthcare Staff Reductions Not Well Received
Almost half of Albertans (48%) say planned staffing reduction will reduce the quality of healthcare provided by the system. Just under 20% feel it will improve efficiencies in the system.
Methodology
This Leger online survey was conducted with 1,001 Canadians aged 18 or older. Data were collected from November 28 to December 1. Results were weighted according to age, gender, region, and education in order to ensure a representative sample of the population of AB.
While no margin of error can be calculated for a non-probability sample, for comparison purposes, a probability sample of this size would have a margin of error of ±3.1% for the AB sample, 19 times out of 20.
