Speakers:

• Peter Cowley – Director of School Performance Studies, The Fraser Institute
• Nadeem Esmail – Senior Fellow, The Fraser Institute

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Session summary:

Do we accept the speaker’s assessment of Alberta’s performance in this area? If not, what is our assessment?

• Agreed with “F” for health, some would go higher because outcomes and services are quite good
• Consensus with “B” for education

Do we agree with the proposed solutions and alternatives? If not, how would we alter them?

• People generally agree on more competition, though some were concerned with establishment of a parallel health system
• Patient focused system where money follows patients (activity based), more patient choice, would consider co-pays but would like to know more about the implications of such a system
• Must assess whether or not to opt out of the Canada Health Act
• Concern about the rural impact of proposed reforms

What additional ideas, solutions, and alternatives do we think would improve Alberta’s performance in this area?
Education

• Greater accountability for teachers, discussion on the role of assessment in accountability
• More emphasis on charter schools
• Curriculum review to ensure vocational / life skills are taught
• Teachers should be accredited as experts in certain fields
• Compensation incentives for teachers
• Reform education faculties at universities and ATA processes

Health

• More reporting of the costs of procedures
• Patient charter detailing rights & responsibilities
• Recognition of foreign credentials for doctors
• Greater focus on preventative measures in health care, reward healthy behaviour, pay people to take care of themselves at home post-surgery
• Initiate a dialogue with insurance companies on developing a private health system

Small Group Discussion response forms:

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