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Critics want minister to resign over health report

The Alberta government held an emergency debate on health care Thursday, a day after a damning report said system mismanagement and maltreatment of doctors had led to unnecessary patient suffering.

EDMONTON — The Alberta government held an emergency debate on health care Thursday, a day after a damning report said system mismanagement and maltreatment of doctors had led to unnecessary patient suffering.

Premier Alison Redford also rejected demands from Opposition Liberals that she fire Health Minister Fred Horne.

Redford and her Progressive Conservative government are facing angry questions over the report by the Health Quality Council

The report said wait times are far too long, that centralization of health services has been botched, and that doctors are being ignored or threatened for speaking out on poor patient care.

NDP Leader Brian Mason is demanding former health minister Ron Liepert be fired from cabinet, given the report found many of the problems occurred on his watch.

Liepert is now finance minister, and Redford is dismissing calls for his departure.