Updated: Tue May. 12 2009 17:22:28

ctvcalgary.ca

Alberta Health Minister Ron Liepert says he wants criminals to pay back health care costs.

Liepert has introduced a new bill in the legislature that will give the province the power to sue convicts for health care costs related to their crimes.

"Our caucus does not believe taxpayers should have to foot the health care costs of someone who commits a crime," said Liepert. "We need to send a message that we are going to make you pay if you get involved in criminal activity."

Denise Dubyk's son-in-law was killed by a drunk driver eight years ago. She supports the bill.

"All of this money that is being put out in medical costs doesn't have to happen."

But the idea of going after criminals like impaired drivers for health costs is drawing a lot of criticism.

"I don't know if it could get through the courts," said Ted Woynillowicz of Friends of Medicare. "It does seem to contradict the Canada Health Act. It does impose barriers for medically-necessary services."

Calgary Buffalo MLA Kent Hehr questions why the health minister is bringing forward what is essentially a crime bill.

Bill 48 will also allow the province to attempt to recover health costs from tobacco companies for smoking-related illnesses.

Comments are now closed for this story

Carl
There's nothing more short-sighted than a populist. This man is an idiot.

Terry
I'd highly recommend that Mr. Liepert be examined for Mad Cow disease, either that or change your medication Ron cuss whatever you're taking ain't working. The only people that are going to make money off this "bone head" idea are the lawyers which maybe Ron's friends for all I know. I've got a great idea Ron, how about reducing the civil service by 25% and at the same time pass a bill that states that no one that works for the taxpayer (government) makes more that 100K/yr and also you lose your 30% tax free status on your taxable income. Only then would I take anything you have to say seriously. Come on Ron I dare ya.

Make them Pay
Don't refuse the health care service, just send the bill after it's finished. do this for people that refuse to wear seat belts or officially designated safety equipment. do this for Smokers. If you know what you are doing is dangerous then you should have to pay your own bills.

Dave S Calgary
So does this now open the door to sue the Governments for allowing a product that they knew full well cost lives and the health care system, how much money have they collected from tax on tobacco and why because they don't care as long as their coffers get filled up with cash. And i agree with everyone else send this dumb S.O.S back to Aus and take leipert with him

Ruth Hartley
How ridiculous! What's next? Let's recover health care costs from a store owner when someone trips on an item dropped on the floor (by another customer, no less) and they break their leg? How about from the City of Calgary when THEY don't clear their own sidewalks around parks. Memorial Park is a good example - I fell and injured my back this winter which incurred health care costs. Let's have the province spend OUR money on lawyers and bureaucrats going head to head with City lawyers and bureaucrats, spending more of OUR money. The health care budget pays for it - period. Let's not waste even more money!

Chuck
This is ridiculous. How are we supposed to make criminals pay? Are we going to threaten them with jail time? We can't seem to do that now. How can tobacco companies be held liable yet their product is still legal? Maybe we should also sue fast food restaurants and bar owners. While we're at it, let's sue every store that carries tobacco products, afterall they are the middle man. Why don't these politicans think about these bills before they waste our money trying to make them laws.

Darrin, Calgary
I love the idea, especially when dealing with drunk drivers. We've tried to jail them, we've tried to shame them...nothing works. I guarantee knowing that bankruptcy is a real possibility will make causual drunk drivers think twice. I don't care about the money - this is a great punitive idea.

Jim - Calgary
There have been more than a few times since Fast Eddie and his entourage took the helm in Edmonton that I have felt our provincial leaders were dreaming in 3D colour and this yet another one.

We're going to pay for health care through the proceeds of crime? Why provide any health care - period! It is an absolute certainty that none of these gangsters, criminals or, if you prefer, misunderstood souls ever earned an honest dollar in their lives. The proceeds of their misdeeds should be returned either to their victims or go for the better good of society as a whole which might include improved public health case!

Frankly, I could care less what happens to the criminal elements in our society with respect to their health needs.

shane
i cant believe our justice system other countries and criminals from there must love how we spend out tax money.. what a joke what next can i sue 7-11 for getting a brain freeze?? or tims from getting fat from their donuts?

ubuntu
I do have one concern. The Province is already collecting probably Billions in sin taxes from smokers that's supposed to go toward health care.

If they actually want to sue tobacco companies for health care apparently already covered via sin taxes then where are these taxes actually being used?

Mike
what about people who stuff there faces with fatty foods, they should have to pay also then.

and athletes who blow out their knees.

this is ridicules and ignorant.

Bob H
Criminals pay??? they won't. Why sue a person with nothing? Going after tobacco companies can get some cash LOL why not sue molson or labatt for the drunk that hit you?? Same as tobacco, we know what can happen. Why is a convict given money when leaving jail? TAX won't stop crime!!!! The joke of our justice system won't either!!!

Andrea
How about stop spending tax payers money on useless bills and find a better way to use TAX PAYERS MONEY on our hosptial systems and medical facilities instead !!!

kc in alberta
It's a noble thought but the question is what money will these criminals use to pay?

I strongly doubt most have any money except what they might have stolen from their victims.

Why not just make sentencing stronger for criminal acts and leave it at that.

The tobacco company thing washed out in the states so I don't think it would fare much better here.

Face it criminals are a burden with little hope to recoup costs.

Billy
Somebody buy this blowhard a ticket back to Australia. What a load of bs. How are you going to collect? What a stupid idea.

Jim - CGY
Perhaps we can start with the Criminals that took 25% raises and the many other that take Salaries as Health Care "Create a Title" and do nothing. Maybe we can even go as far as to look at what our Politicians are doing that would make the MP's from England look like "Normal Politicians". Really this is as stupid as paying for parking to ride the LRT, have you done a follow up and looked at the lots as they machines go in. How to turn 6 million into just less than enough to pay to maintain the stupid system.

don
I don't think this matters. All departments are looking for ways to somehow increase user fees, such as the banks are doing. The tax payer will in the end, foot the bill. This is more a crime issue than a healthcare issue. How about finding a way to sue judges that make bad decisions letting some of these people back onto the street to commit the crimes. Some judges make downright careless decisions. This new bill is just another one that makes lawyers rich and sticks the taxpayer for more legal aid for the criminals.

Jennifer Macc
I see this costing more money from the tax payers than it would be saving.

Lyn from Calgary
I wish the Health Minister luck in getting criminals to pay for their crimes. The Justice Minister hasn't been able to do that for years. Perhaps if they combined their efforts we could have criminals sentenced to hard labor in the hospitals to pay back their victims which would also solve some of the staffing problems. A few years emptying bedpans should teach them a lesson they'll never forget.

anony
great concept and I would love to see this occur, unfortunately I can't see any money coming in from the criminals... especially when it seems so hard to actually convict some of these drunk drivers/gang members/etc.