Today, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) rallies in support of the Alberta Medical Association’s (AMA) court challenge to protect the Charter rights of physicians in Alberta.
We understand that despite repeated efforts by the AMA to achieve a negotiated agreement or to initiate arbitration, physicians in Alberta were denied access to a meaningful and effective process of negotiation and, failing agreement, to an independent third-party dispute resolution process.
It’s disappointing for the medical community – in particular amid the fight against COVID-19 – to have to resort to court challenges. We’re seeing tremendous efforts by physicians and all health care workers to care for those fallen ill with the virus, while looking after patients who continue to require immediate care.
The AMA has been tireless in its effort to maintain open communications with government and to work toward a negotiated agreement – recognizing that this would be in the best interest of all Albertans.
We stand with our Alberta colleagues today and every day.
Dr. Sandy Buchman, CMA president