Jasperites should demand better health care and less wasteful spending from their government, according to Alberta Liberal Leader Dr. David Swann, and that includes allowing children to be born in the Seton hospital.

Swann made the comments in an interview with the Fitzhugh on Aug. 6, where he blasted the conservative government for wasteful spending in health care and ignoring the demands of Albertans.

He said the lack of family doctors and the loss of the town’s obstetrics program has been a major blow to the community.

“People rightly ask why we’re spending 23 per cent more than other jurisdictions and getting so little. It’s discouraged the professionals and the patients,” Swann said.

The loss of the obstetrics program is particularly troublesome in isolated mountain communities, Swann said, where treacherous road conditions in the winter can hamper transportation. He said child birth is the most basic need, and the people of Jasper should be outraged that the service doesn’t exist in the community.

“It’s a real blow to people. When you can’t manage the most basic part of the health system; birthing babies -  it reflects an imbalance in the system. When we can do such dramatic technical things, but can’t do the basics... It undermines people’s sense of security in the community, especially with a mountain town,” Swann said.

Swann met with mayor Richard Ireland and other community members to listen to their concerns as part of his cross-province tour. The mayor and Swann discussed health care, the challenges of becoming a town and water systems. Swann applauded Ireland as a champion for Jasper, and took the opportunity to discuss wasteful spending at the provincial level.

He also floated the idea of bringing specialists to Jasper to help treat the elderly. Currently, many elderly patients must travel to Edmonton for treatment, however Swann says there may be another option.

“Would it be cheaper to bring a specialist out here once a week? One has to look at the transfer of people there and getting a service here,” Swann said. He also noted more doctors could be attracted to the area if the government were to offer them a financial incentive, such as discounted tuition at medical school.

As for tourism, Swann said he’d like to see a light rail connection between Jasper and Edmonton, as well as service that connects communities in between, such as Hinton and Edson. He also supported a proposal for a high speed train between Calgary and Edmonton.

“Rail service should be enhanced. It’s a natural. It’s cleaner and safer. There are opportunities for regional rail and inter-regional rail. Rail link to Edmonton would be key,” Swann said.

In Edmonton, Swann said the caucus doesn’t need more MLAs, as was recommended by a recent panel.

He characterizes the move as an attempt by the premier to hold onto his rural voter base. The proposal to increase the number of MLAs from 83 to 87 will cost taxpayers about $10 million per term.

“They talked about a hiring freeze. Why not a hiring freeze for MLAs?” Swann asked. “Why freeze civil servants and expand MLAs.”

“It’s not clear we need more MLAs, it’s a premier who wants to protect his rural base. It’s no longer considered fair when a rural riding has 10,000 and an urban riding has 65,000, and they have the same representation. We have to redraw the boundaries.”

Swann said he’s also heard concerns across the riding about endangered species such as the Little Smokie caribou and the grizzly bear.

“Grizzly bears are an endangered species that’s not being protected. We’re compromising the future of our landmark species,” Swann said.

Swann continued his trip to Grande Cache and Grande Prairie following his brief visit in Jasper.