Sarah Hoffman

Background

Hoffman has worked as both a teacher and researcher for the NDP before becoming involved in politics. She holds a BA and BSc from Concordia University College of Alberta, in religion and math respectively. She also holds a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Education from the University of Alberta, with a specialization in educational policy studies.

Hoffman was first elected to the Edmonton School Board in 2010, and was acclaimed for a second term in 2013. She served as the vice-chair of the board from her initial election to 2012, and then as the chair from 2012 to 2015 when she resigned to run for provincial office.

Initial cabinet appointment

Hoffman has spent all of her provincial political career within the cabinet. Her initial appointment was as Minister of Health and Seniors, on May 25, 2015. In this role, she was responsible for the operations of Alberta Health Services, as well as the various government programs and responsibilities towards senior citizens within the province.

Within the seniors portfolio, affordable housing was one of the top priorities of the government. This evolved in part from the NDP's election commitment to increase affordable housing for seniors, and was actioned in part through increasing funding for the Alberta Social Housing Corporation. After the February cabinet reshuffle, Lori Sigurdson was given the seniors portfolio.

As Health Minister before the February reshuffle, Hoffman oversaw one of the most important portfolios in terms of public relations and government budget. As part of the NDP's election platform, health care fees introduced under Jim Prentice were reversed, and additional spending in health was initiated - though the new government had to contend with the falling price of oil, and as such cut back on some of the proposed spending in the area. Included in the budget was funding for new and existing medical centres, including the development of the Calgary Cancer Centre and repair of the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, though Hoffman was criticized over the reduced level of funding available. Hoffman's ministry also banned menthol tobacco products in September, a move which was designed to decrease the prevalence of smoking among youth.

Fentanyl crisis

During her tenure as Minister of Health, Hoffman has been responsible for her department's response to the fentanyl crisis in Alberta. The street drug killed 213 people in the first 9 months of 2015, and is projected to have increased use in 2016. Hoffman outlined the province's response to the drug, stating that increased quantities of naloxone would be available to counter-act the overdose effects of fentanyl. The province has also engaged in an information campaign directed at youth, to prevent further use of the drug. This campaign primarily targets schools, with posters being placed in prominent areas that outline the harmful effects of using the drug.

The response of the provincial and federal governments has been criticized, as access to the antidote remains low despite an increasing number of fentanyl-related deaths. Antidote access is limited in part by a lack of trained nurses, as well as a lack of emergency kits including naloxone available for public use. This problem is particularly pronounced on indigenous reserves, which have less available access to government clinics, and instead rely on a combination of provincial services and federal support to obtain the materials required to treat fentanyl overdoses. As part of the provincial government's response, Hoffman communicated with indigenous chiefs to find ways of increasing antidote supply on reserves in August 2015.