The leader of the Alberta Liberal Party is out with an idea to ease the shortage of physicians in this province and to improve housing options for seniors.
Speaking at a campaign stop in Red Deer, Wednesday morning, Raj Sherman said that foreign doctors should be brought in. He said studies show that about 30 percent of foreign doctors that come to Alberta meet or exceed the medical standards needed to practice here.
Sherman says the government could ease the pressures on small town clinics and hospitals by helping these doctors attain their Canadian credentials.
"So let's expand [the] residency spots for those doctors," said Sherman. "Invest in education and ask them to make a commitment to Albertans, to serve in the smaller cities of rural Alberta, and we'll get them that residency."
The Liberal Leader adds that his party would also invest in education and training for foreign doctors whose schooling does not meet Canadian standards.
The Alberta Liberals are also promising ways to improve housing for seniors. If elected, the party plans to invest $400 million in a non-profit housing plan and to establish a new independent senior's advocate.
"When seniors have been neglected, as they have been by this PC government, this independent officer would have the ability to call a public judicial inquiry when the government has failed our seniors." Sherman said.
The Liberals are pledging $10 million to fund this new office.
