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Guthrie, who voted in favour of the bill in its first reading, defended his vote saying it was vital to see what the bill entailed.

“I believe that if an MLA brings forward — and this includes the opposition as an MLA — brings forward legislation they feel is important, it should get heard,” he said. “When a bill is introduced, that’s what the first reading is.

“At that point, we haven’t actually read the bill, we haven’t seen it yet. Once it’s voted upon, then we actually get the bill in hand and can read it.”

In talks with his Calgary-Elbow constituents, Schweitzer said he heard from a vocal community that opposes the bill.

“The last few weeks I’ve heard from my constituents, talking to them about different pieces of legislation that are before us in Edmonton, and when it comes to Bill 207, my constituents have been clear to me that we simply cannot support this type of legislation right now in Alberta,” said Schweitzer. “In its current form, it just simply does not work.

“It’s controversial, it has the perceived and real potential impact on health-care services against Alberta. That’s not what I campaigned on locally.”

Photo by Larry Wong / Postmedia

Schweitzer said he believes the bill needs greater study.

“I really appreciate private members trying to bring forward ambitious bills and legislation, but something this comprehensive, something that impacts health care . . . requires study, it requires thoughtful processes,” he said.

On Friday, Premier Jason Kenney said he hadn’t read the four-page bill nor had he contemplated its implications, adding he wouldn’t say if he supported it.