Alberta doctors agree to deal with no pay increases
CBC News | Posted: May 30, 2018 8:40 PM | Last Updated: May 30, 2018
Deal endorsed by 89 per cent of physicians who voted
Alberta physicians have overwhelmingly ratified a two-year deal with the province that contains no pay increases.
The deal, which runs from April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2020, was endorsed by 89 per cent of physicians who voted.
The government says it will save $95 million in health-care costs.
Health Minister Sarah Hoffman defended the length of the deal which is considerably shorter than the previous seven-year contract.
"I'd rather be back in negotiations in 18 months and get zeros, than give something that is unaffordable over a long period of time," she said.
The previous agreement expired on March 31, 2018.
The last 18 months of the contract was modified in 2016 to cap the amount of increases to physician compensation.