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The Kenney government is not known for gracious retreat. Faced with criticism, it hunkers down and fights.

But this battle against the doctors must stop. With the new coronavirus likely to hit the province, it’s the worst possible moment for changes to physician pay and governance rules that could seriously affect service.

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Dr. Christine Molnar, president of the Alberta Medical Association, says the government should cancel its measures until next year and reinstate the master agreement it abruptly cancelled.

That’s the best short-term solution. It would give everyone time to work out a new, arbitrated pay agreement, which many physicians believe would be a good thing if it’s properly done.

But any compromise has to overcome the fighting instinct of the UCP, including Premier Jason Kenney.

Asked about the dispute this week, Kenney denied there’s any pay problem at all. He implied that the doctors must be making up their claims of lower incomes.