Today is Tommy Douglas Day! 

Every year, October 20 is a day for us to celebrate the contributions of Thomas “Tommy” Clement Douglas: the "Greatest Canadian" and the man who brought universal public Medicare to Canada. It is a day to recommit ourselves to protecting and strengthening our invaluable public health care system.

This opinion article by Friends of Medicare's Executive Director, Chris Gallaway, originally appeared in the Edmonton Journal on October 15, 2025.

What makes Canada, Canada? A question that is being asked more regularly as talk of “the 51st state” and other threats to our sovereignty come up again and again.

EDMONTON — Today, after months of delays, the Alberta government is finally supposed to receive the final report from Justice Wyant’s third-party investigation into the allegations of corruption and interference in Alberta’s surgical procurement and contracting processes.

EDMONTON — Earlier today, the Premier released new mandate letters for the four ministers now responsible for pieces of our public health care system.

Home care, long-term care advocates say government is neglecting seniors in Alberta

EDMONTON — This morning, the Alberta NDP Opposition Caucus released a leaked copy of an internal cabinet document showing the provincial government has been working on a plan to rollback Albertans’ drug benefits. The proposal shows that an average senior couple would pay hundreds, or even thousands of dollars more per year for their medications under this new scheme, costing Albertans up to $400 million dollars more out of pocket for their prescriptions.

EDMONTON — Today, after months of waiting, the Alberta government is finally supposed to receive an interim report from Justice Wyant’s investigation into the allegations of corruption and interference in Alberta’s health care procurement and contracting processes. The report was initially due on May 30, but instead the Deputy Minister of Justice, an unelected bureaucrat, was sent out to quietly announce a months-long delay in the report.

EDMONTON — Speaking at a press conference in Edmonton late last week, Prime Minister Mark Carney said that new bilateral agreements with remaining provinces and territories would be finalized “as quickly and equitably as possible.” These comments follow months of uncertainty as to the future of national Pharmacare, as result of multiple remarks from the Prime Minister and Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel refusing to commit to the continued implementation of the program—including as recently as last week.

Guest blog by Dr. Ginetta Salvalaggio (Professor at the University of Alberta Department of Family Medicine) and Petra Schulz, (Disability rights advocate).

TLDR

• The Government of Alberta is cutting its budget at the expense of its most vulnerable residents.
• Starting July 2026, all of the 77,000 AISH (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped) recipients will be moved to the new Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP), which is employment focused.
• To get back on AISH, those unable to work will be required to reapply with a full medical form completed by a physician—a significant administrative burden for overworked physicians.
• ADAP provides the same health benefits as AISH, but provides $200 less income per month ($1,740 per month vs. the 2025 AISH rate of $1,940).
• Employment earning exemptions will drop from $1000 per month to $350 under both programs.
• Effective 2025, Alberta is the only province to claw back the $200 per month from the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB).

EDMONTON — This afternoon, the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) announced that, with a record turnout, their members have sent a clear message by voting to reject a tentative agreement with Alberta Health Services and other provincial health agencies and corporations. The union is calling on the Alberta government to "recognize their worth and the incredible pressure they work under.”