Calgary Health Region wants more than 12% budget increase

"Premier Ed better get a few tips from Santa on this one!"

When asked if the Calgary Health Region wants a big increase in bucks from the province this coming year, bossman Jack Davis says "yes".

When asked if the requested hike is in the double digits in percentage, Jack says "yes".
And when asked if it's around 11% or even 12% next year, Jack responds, "at least that."

"I think the provincial government will have a difficult time with our budget," says the health region heavy-lifter, speaking a sentence only needing a "no kidding" to complete it.

"The budget pressure is going to continue in Calgary. We would like it to be less, but we have an obligation to give the government the best advice we can on what the size of the health care system in Calgary should be and ensure it is properly funded."

Or in other words: "Gimme the money or face the heat!"

Jack is one smart guy, who operated in the highest ranks of the world of Ralph, in a time of cutting budgets and calls for collective sacrifice. A time when we were told we could all put up our feet once the deficit and debt were chapters in the history books.

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