EDMONTON — More than 30 Albertans are heading to Ottawa this week to participate in the Canadian Health Coalition’s annual Parliament Hill lobby for public health care, including Friends of Medicare staff, board members and over two dozen front-line health care workers from all across Alberta.
“We are going to Ottawa to demand our federal government step up and do their job when it comes to health care,” said Chris Gallaway, executive director of Friends of Medicare. “For months the federal government has been silent on what's happening in Alberta. We need them to speak up, enforce the Canada Health Act, keep their promises on programs like Pharmacare, and take action to save our treasured single-payer public health care.”
This year’s lobby day comes at an urgent time for single-payer public health care, following Alberta’s passing of Bill 11: the Health Statutes Amendment Act 2025 (no.2) in December. A recent report, jointly released by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and the Parkland Institute, sounds the alarm that this legislation could mean the end of universal public Medicare in Canada.
“It is increasingly clear that, if implemented, Bill 11 will bring in two-tier American-style health care to Alberta - a clear violation of the Canada Health Act. The result will be that those with the means to pay will receive quicker access to care and everyone else will be left waiting even longer or have to go without,” said Gallaway. “This legislation will also create a market for private health care insurance and potentially undermine the protections our public health care system has under trade agreements with the United States, a change that could impact the whole country by opening the floodgates for giant American health care corporations to move into Canada.”
Friends of Medicare, as well as numerous individuals and organizations from all across the country, have reached out to the federal government calling for action. Yet, in the over two months since the Alberta legislation was put forward, neither the Prime Minister nor the Minister of Health have responded to requests for their government to take a public stance. In the absence of federal action Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has already said his government is looking to follow Alberta’s lead in the coming months.
“Our Prime Minister loves to talk about nation-building projects, well we have to ask what better nation defining project is there than our widely treasured public health care system?" said Gallaway. "Public support for our universal single-payer health care is deeply embedded into Canadian identity. Protecting and expanding universal Medicare strengthens our sovereignty. It is our economic competitive advantage, while also being great for our health."
"It's completely unacceptable that our federal government is currently sitting silently on the sidelines rather than stepping up to save our public health care system from those who wish to tear it apart,” concluded Gallaway.
Friends of Medicare's executive director Chris Gallaway will be participating in a press conference hosted by the Canadian Health Coalition in the National Press Theatre on Parliament Hill at 10:30 EST tomorrow morning. He will be available for further comment and interviews following the media event.