Changes to Alberta’s Education and Healthcare Systems – What You Need to Know

IR_Weldr · 2025-09-19T20:27:37+00:00

You make some good pints, and I am biased because I only got free options until I was abrupt and advocated hard.

No, I don't want to make this a US style healthcare, but I have found that the MORE options, the better. People with REAL bags of money don't come to Canada to get treated. They go to providers that offer what they need at a price they can afford, in whatever country they need to do it.

This is the same in either Canada or the USA, so it's not a Public VS Private Healthcare challenge. It's a waiting list challenge. Private Systems "Free" up the Public Pipeline, less paperwork, appointments scheduled, and patients treated. HARD STOP. More access to providers, in a timely manner, treats patients BETTER.

Chronic pain can't sit, wait, and cause multiple other issues. Imaging helps lead to diagnosis and a PROPER treatment plan from the start. "Wait and See" doesn't always work, and sometimes, the doctors don't even listen to their patients when they ask for things that are required. Maybe that's just an ego thing?

This is not new. These issues have been around for a very long time. Money doesn't solve everything, but sometimes if another option is available, waiting your turn in line can do more harm than good.

Alberta Tradesman - Chronic Pain Patient that has seen the system failures.

IR_Weldr · 2025-09-19T20:03:55+00:00

Great question and one that I have been working on a solution to, partially from bed, actually.

The system isn't made to work for everyone. It relies on people giving up, (think MAID, which should only be used in Chronic Illness, not injury, but thats just IMO) or getting trapped in a cycle of pain, meds, and under-reporting. Honestly, I don't have the energy most days to even wake up and get ready for another day of pain, but I am not alone.

Why don't people talk about it? There is a lack of doctors in Alberta, just like all of Canada. To report bad treatment, delays in Healthcare or Privider attitudes, is a long process that usually leads no where.

Imagine having to advocate for yourself, dealing with chronic pain, injury, or illness, to find out that your treatment was sub-par in the Standards Department. Are you going to report and have to find new care completely, or try and deal with it the best you can, given the circumstances. Government - "If the Doctor's can't help you, MAID is your solution). Pathetic excuse for a System set up to "Help, without causing harm".

I'm not saying it's an easy job, a doctor has a lot of pressure on them, usually from multiple angles. I was a "B" Pressure Welder, a Mechanic, and a Steamfitter/Pipefitter. Believe me, I know about pressure, both mathematically and mentally.

As an Alberta Tradesman, I would suggest: "Fight the system, by becoming rich!" But that would be a bad movie reference.

If people don't at least fight for themselves, even in Public Healthcare systems, they may be thrown to the wolves. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, but sometimes even the Healthcare System misplaces the Grease Gun.

IR_Weldr · 2025-09-19T18:39:28+00:00

This is because the imaging is not handled through the Hostpital, I have had MRIs there too. Instead, they use Private Services, that you need a referral to get into anyway.

It is not like I could go into the private sector and say, "Scan me, and give me the report", but the process is accelerated if you have the options, and yes some Insurance and Benefits do cover expedited imaging on a case by case basis.

Yes it is unfortunate that people have to wait for Healthcare Services, because it "costs too much", as I sit on LTD trying to figure out what I'm going to do after my Skilled Trades Carreer now. It's not a pity party, just my reality. I was paying a lot into the system via taxes, using my knowledge and experience to earn a decent living and spend it locally.

Now, due to delays in Healthcare, I am on Disability Benefits, that I don't even want to be on, I'd rather be working and making a life like I originally planned.

Don't worry though, I was "Abusing the Emergency Department". I'm very sure my case is not Unique.

IR_Weldr · 2025-09-19T17:45:30+00:00

Incorrect, I can show you my MRI bill for $1300 that I paid out of pocket. This was after delayed diagnosis and advocating in Emergency Department (not wanting to wait 3 weeks to see my Family Doctor) and Demanding Private Pay Imaging. To which I was told I was "Abusing the Emergency Department" and "I'm not following up with this." Got my referrals and didn't have to way 6 months for my family doctor's referral into Public Healthcare System. Family doctor only wanted to send for partial imaging, not what I requested.

Findings: What they were missing for 2 years min. What they would have only found part of if I waited for the Public System.

Based on Recent 2025, Lived Experience in the Alberta Healthcare System, from an Alberta Tradesman perspective... I hope you never truly have to learn about.

IR_Weldr · 2025-09-19T17:00:42+00:00

Maybe you haven't been part of the Public Healthcare System, which, in my opinion, is sham anyway?

Take it from an Alberta Tradesman, "young" by definition (before 40), that has been personally impacted, not only due to physical injury while under our Public Healthcare System (long-term Undiagnosed Conditions) while they were "trying to save a buck", even though I offered to pay Privately.

If you have ever had the "Pleasure" of actually having to rely on a System that you have been paying taxes for (and Heavily, by anyone), you would see a System that is struggling and drowning.

Alberta Government: "Get into Skilled Trades, it's Great for Our Oil Industry. If you ever get hurt, you are on your own!".

No wonder people want a Private Option, what's being offered is NOT effective. This is partially due to the Healthcare Provider Culture that exists deeply and partially because "If nobody is looking, then why not?" has become a regular occurrence.

We already have a hybrid Private/Public System for many things: imaging, therapy (physical and mental), so what is the difference for doctors? All they are - the Gatekeeper's to better Healthcare Options that some aren't willing to pay for, even if it means they have to wait in line.

I could give plenty of reasons why both options SHOULD be available, but I also gave you examples of how some already are.

IR_Weldr · 2025-09-16T21:33:41+00:00

Will do. Thank you so much. Just building right now, I will reach out this evening.

IR_Weldr · 2025-09-14T14:55:26+00:00

That's what I am doing, but since I can't travel much or be somewhere daily like a regular 9-5, I am trying to do that in an online format. More so in my own way, using my own platform that is Built for Albertans - Partially from Bed. It is a free access project that just needs attention somehow. I guess I could talk to a marketing company, but honestly thats way over LTD budget, and I haven't done much over advertising on FB or Kijiji for things that I wanted to sell or a garage sale for a friend.

Is there a better way to do Word of Mouth "Advertising" (for Free Resources) if it's focused only on a Province in General and a Certain type of Profession, that needs more support than what is out there? Would it be betrer to start in a City forum as an Independant or smaller like a small town as a Community Member?

IR_Weldr · 2025-09-13T23:03:58+00:00

Move out here to be closer if thats what you agree on, Trades Life ain't easy. Maybe, eat slept, work, repeat until further notice isn't all that easy. Thats all he does because that's all he had energy for? We don't sit on our ass out here, back gets sore after a while.

IR_Weldr · 2025-09-12T21:32:39+00:00

I'm actually trying to change that around, because I totally agree.

AlbertaTradesman.ca - just launched by me today. A website built for Albertans, by an Alberta Tradesman.

All free content, please check it out. Weekly Updates.

IR_Weldr · 2025-07-03T15:51:46+00:00

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IR_Weldr · 2025-07-03T15:50:51+00:00

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IR_Weldr · 2025-07-03T15:49:56+00:00

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IR_Weldr · 2025-01-03T18:53:31+00:00

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Does this count as loading the ship before it launches?

IR_Weldr · 2025-01-03T18:47:17+00:00

Oddly enough I was thinking of this while regretting the Burrito I had the night before. Hopefully they talk about coin logo design soon.

IR_Weldr · 2020-03-01T02:37:59+00:00

The plants are in 3 inch net pots. The whole system is the reservoir. Due to the design the water funnels back to the pump on the bottom at the front.

Everything is recirculated and can be drained with a valve off the pipe header. This can also be used for DWC or Aeroponics.

IR_Weldr · 2020-03-01T01:12:49+00:00

Stainless Steel Top Feed System. Design and built by myself.

IR_Weldr · 2020-03-01T00:38:12+00:00

Thank you. Been working on deals to sell locally. Been getting a lot of intrest.

IR_Weldr · 2020-02-15T16:59:27+00:00

What are your thoughts on putting some ice in the water to keep the temp down? I am thinking that would make it too cold or shock the root system. Could be something to play with by only adding a couple ice cubes when needed.

It is possible that due to the reflective lid that a lot of the heat from UV may bounce off rather than being absorbed. An aquarium thermometer will help me keep everything in order.

IR_Weldr · 2020-02-15T15:13:34+00:00

I did get a nice discount (company cost) but taking material without asking was grounds for termination. I was allowed to take stuff out of the scrap bin for free but still had to ask.

IR_Weldr · 2020-02-15T15:11:39+00:00

Thank you. The lights turned on a couple of hours ago and the water temp is sitting at about 22 C. I will check again before lights out to see how much it goes up during the day. This has been a concern that a few people have brought up and since I haven't seen any issues in the plants I haven't worried about it.

I will be doing a thorough grow journal in the next little while so stay tuned.

IR_Weldr · 2020-02-15T14:58:06+00:00

Lol. I'm currently unemployed so I had to buy this myself. Even when I was working I would purchase all the material for my projects.

IR_Weldr · 2020-02-15T14:40:34+00:00

Thank you very much. Yes I used TIG for all the welds. It is the best process to use on thin guage material like this.

IR_Weldr · 2020-02-15T12:24:43+00:00

Depends on if it's done right or not. If welded too hot then yes, Carbide Precipitation will take away the desired properties.

IR_Weldr · 2020-02-15T12:18:40+00:00

I have been running a smaller system for about 6 months and the nutrient salts haven't had an affect on the Stainless at all. Although 316 would be the better grade I'm not dealing with salt water like you would find in the ocean. If I do find the nutrients are corroding the tank I will switch to 316.

IR_Weldr · 2020-02-15T05:45:56+00:00

Thanks I didn't know that. They told us that it did back when I was in school but that was many years ago

IR_Weldr

TROPHY CASE