Legislation introduced at the Alberta legislature this week could pave the way for the province to sue criminals for any health-care costs associated with their crimes.
Health Minister Ron Liepert introduced Bill 48 that, if passed, would allow the province to recoup health-care costs associated with crimes ranging from convenience store robberies to gang shootings to drunk driving.
"Our caucus does not believe taxpayers should be footing the health-care costs of someone who has committed a criminal offence," Liepert said.
The minister pointed specifically to drunk drivers, who cause hundreds of collisions per year.
"We're going to make you pay if you decide to get involved in criminal activity," he said.
The provincial NDP say that the proposed legislation is an attempt to cut off health care for some citizens and is therefore a breach of the Canada Health Act.
Others say it will have little impact and simply makes politicians appear to be tough on crime.
"It will play very well in the court of public opinion, it will play very well in this law-and-order environment that is alive and well in this province. But it's an impotent bill," said lawyer Ed O'Neill.
Officials have not said how they intend to get money from those criminals with few assets, many of whom have their court costs paid for by legal aid.
With a report from CTV's Alberta Bureau Chief Janet Dirks
