This letter was written by Friends of Medicare's Leduc-Beaumont Chapter Chair, Cam Heenan, and was originally published in the Edmonton Journal and the Leduc Rep on July 16, 2024.

EDMONTON — As Canada’s premiers meet in Halifax this week for the annual Council of Federation, health care is once again one of the key agenda items. New Environics Research polling released by the Canadian Health Coalition today shows that people across Canada overwhelmingly support initiatives to support and expand public health care. 

Yesterday, Premier Danielle Smith informed the federal government that she wants to opt Alberta out of the new national dental care program.

EDMONTON — To date, the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) has already helped more than 100,000 Albertans access dental care who were previously unable to do so. This is on top of the tens of thousands of Alberta children who were helped by the interim children’s Canada Dental Benefit.

EDMONTON — June 26 is the Global Day of Action for the Support Don’t Punish campaign. In Edmonton, Friends of Medicare will be joining other advocates and community members gathering at 12:00 noon at Churchill Square today for a rally and march in opposition to the UCP government’s proposed forced treatment legislation, and in support of evidence-based voluntary treatment options in Alberta, including harm reduction services.

EDMONTON — Friends of Medicare is calling on members of the Senate to support the timely passing of Bill C-64: An Act Respecting Pharmacare before the summer break, so that the government may quickly move forward with implementation of a national Pharmacare plan, which will include universal, single-payer coverage of contraceptives and diabetes medication and equipment.

EDMONTON — The first full week of June each year marks Alberta Seniors’ Week. It is a chance for Albertans to show appreciation for Alberta’s seniors and all that they contribute to our province. Friends of Medicare is marking this Seniors’ Week by continuing to call for the return of an independent Seniors’ Advocate, for properly funded home care, for Alberta to get on board with universal Pharmacare, and for the Alberta government to stop their attacks on Continuing Care.

OTTAWA — Passing and implementing Bill C-64: An Act Respecting Pharmacare, will lay the groundwork for the most significant expansion to our public health care system since the creation of national Medicare over fifty years ago. The legislation sets up a framework for universal, single-payer, first-dollar drug coverage for all Canadians, beginning with coverage of contraceptives and diabetes medication and equipment. 

EDMONTON — This afternoon, Danielle Smith’s government tabled Bill 22: The Health Statutes Amendment Act, following through on their previous announcement that they would be massively restructuring public health care in Alberta. None of this was part of their election platform in last year’s provincial election.

EDMONTON — Every year on April 28, we gather to recognize the National Day of Mourning. This year, Friends of Medicare’s executive director, Chris Gallaway, will be hosting the Day of Mourning ceremony in Edmonton.

EDMONTON — Today, news broke that a provincial audit has found more than 40 medical clinics advertising membership fees for access to health care. Previous reports from the Parkland Institute and Ontario Health Coalition have shown this is a recurring problem in Alberta that has long gone unaddressed.