Airdrie MLA Rob Anderson is halfway to his goal of collecting 2,400 signatures for a petition to lobby the government to bring 24-hour health care to the city.
ìWe hope people will continue to download the form and get it filled out and the more signatures the more powerful (the petition becomes),î he said.
ìItís been about the rate Iíve thought, weíre getting into the Christmas season now so itís a busy time of year but whoever you put the petition in front of, they sign it.î
Current growth estimates put the City of Airdrie on track for a projected population growth to more than 80,000 people in the next 10 years and Anderson said his campaign to gather signatures will show the Province and Alberta Health Services (AHS) that the need for an after-hours facility is real.
The petition asks the Legislative Assembly to urge the government of Alberta to recognize the need for 24-hour health care services in Airdrie and work with community leaders and health professionals to provide the resources necessary for its prompt establishment.
Anderson stressed that 24-hour care within the city limits is needed and points to the weather event that shut down roads and highways Dec. 2 and 3.
ìIíve said it before, when our communities are cut off, itís a health hazard to go on the road, itís not right to not have access to a 24 hour facility or have the ability to get healthcare when the roads are closed. To have that large of a population cut off youíre really playing Russian Roulette with people.î
Anderson will present the petition in the spring sitting of the Alberta Legislature.
The petition instructions and copies are available to sign and distribute and can be picked up at Andersonís constituency office at 209 Bowers Street.
Anderson said residents are also invited to contact him at [email protected] if they have questions.
The petition will also be posted online at robanderson.ca and can be found on the ëAirdrie 24 Petitioní Facebook page.
