By Canadian Press

‘Bleakest of role models for women’: Fired health leader calls out Alberta premier

Nov 18, 2022 | 12:51 PM

EDMONTON — A leader in Alberta’s health system who was fired by Premier Danielle Smith is firing back.

Tony Dagnone, in an open letter, says Smith’s abusive, divisive rhetoric blended with her “warped” anti-science beliefs make her a poor excuse for a leader and one who is putting Albertans in harm’s way.

Dagnone, an Order of Canada winner for his decades of work in hospital and health administration, was one of 11 members of the governing board of Alberta Health Services fired by Smith this week.

Smith has blamed the agency for failing to step up as hospitals were pushed to the brink during the COVID-19 pandemic and for imposing vaccine mandates as a work requirement.

Dagnone says he is not politically aligned but feels he must speak out to defend the tens of thousands of health workers who did their best in trying circumstances during the pandemic.

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He calls Smith a “pretend-leader” and the “bleakest of role models for women,” and says Albertans have a critical choice to make in the spring provincial election.

Smith’s office did not immediately return a request for comment.

NDP Health Critic David Shepherd made the following statement in response to the open letter by former Alberta Health Services Board Member Tony Dagnone:

“Replacing a board with an administrator does nothing to help Albertans find a family doctor, or have quicker access to an emergency room or ambulance.

“However, Danielle Smith has made it clear those are not her priorities. Instead, she will continue to blame health care workers for the current state of care, while taking no responsibility herself for the impact of the dangerous misinformation and conspiracy theories she promotes.

“Health care workers have battled through this pandemic and Danielle Smith continues to lower their morale as she blames and punishes them instead of working with and listening to them. Her reckless politicization of our public healthcare system will make it harder to recruit and retain health professionals and for Albertans to access care.”

The Canadian Press

(With files from rdnewsNOW)