We, in Migrante-Alberta, support the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees’ “Save Our Seniors Homes” campaign against the closures of Red Deer Nursing Home and Valley Park Manor.
As an organization for Filipinos in Central Alberta, Migrante-Alberta believes the closures of these two public nursing homes will affect the secured jobs of its respective employees, which include many Filipinos. In only less than two months before the closure, many employees of the two nursing homes are still uncertain of their life after the reported closure. On the other hand, many of them, who have worked for these two nursing homes for decades, have already accepted lower-paying jobs in fear of unemployment.
Also, the shift to new continuing care and assisted living facilities will also cost the health system more money, without addressing the need for long-term care facilities. According to AUPE, “Central Alberta is home to 230 of those Albertans who have been forced to wait for long-term care, and more than 50 of them are in Red Deer.” Despite this, AUPE said that the government is giving the new Michener Extendicare “$21.5 million and only getting four additional long-term care beds out of it.” The closure of 216 beds is clearly a disservice to Albertans who need long-term care.
We call the attention of Central Alberta`s Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), Red Deer MLAs Mary-Anne Jablonski and Cal Dallas, to listen to their constituents and intervene in the forthcoming closure this fall. We also urge all Albertans to be vigilant and act against anti-people moves like these. If officials will not heed our call, we should make sure that in the next elections, we will only put those who will genuinely represent our voice.
Save Our Seniors Homes!
Save our jobs!
MIGRANTE-ALBERTA
Aug. 10, 2010
