This Letter to the Editor was originally published in the Medicine Hat News on June 5, 2025.

Dear editor,

As the UCP government in Alberta seems to be making it easier for private health care to grab a foothold in Alberta, we at Palliser Friends of Medicare feel we should remind people that public health care better serves the public and is a more cost-effective way to run a provincial health-care system.

LETHBRIDGE — A new report commissioned by Friends of Medicare from the Parkland Institute and authored by Salimah Valiani titled, “Public Funds for Private Profit: The Evolution of Health Care Privatization in Alberta” was released publicly today, outlining the systematic privatization efforts of Alberta’s health care system by successive provincial governments since the 1990s.

EDMONTON — Alberta has now recorded 710 confirmed measles cases, making this the worst year for measles since 1986, with no signs of slowing down. 75 percent of these cases have been in children under 18 years old.

EDMONTON — This past Friday, the Deputy Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration released a statement informing Albertans that the interim report of Judge Wyant’s third-party investigation into Alberta’s health care procurement and contracting processes has been delayed until September 24, and that we will not see the final report until October. The interim report was previously due on May 30, with the final report to be delivered on June 30.

EDMONTON — It has been three weeks since the Health Minister and the interim Chief Medical Officer of Health held a press conference to update Albertans on measles and the government’s planned response to a growing number of cases.

EDMONTON — Another investigative article from the Globe and Mail was posted last night, shining a light on even more potentially concerning connections between the provincial government and businessman Sam Mraiche.

EDMONTON — Last Thursday, the government tabled Bill 55: Health Statutes Amendment Act in the Legislature. This sweeping 332 page Bill includes significant changes to Alberta’s health care system, impacting 54 pieces of legislation under 19 ministries of the government.

EDMONTON — With over 210 confirmed measles cases as of Friday afternoon, Alberta now has more measles cases than we’ve had in many decades. The vast majority of cases are in children. This morning, the Minister of Health announced a public campaign and steps for increased access to immunization in response to measles outbreaks in the central and south zones.

EDMONTON — Friends of Medicare and activists within the disability community are returning to the Alberta Legislature today to renew our calls on the UCP government to improve our home care system. In March 2024 this petition was first tabled in the Legislature. More than a year later, our calls for improved home care funding and services in Alberta have remained ignored by this government. As of today, our petition has reached over 37,000 signatures in support, and will be tabled again in the Legislature today following Question Period.

EDMONTON — This afternoon, the government tabled Bill 53: Compassionate Intervention Act, fulfilling their promise to table forced treatment legislation in this legislative session. If passed, it will allow for mandatory treatment orders that remove a patient’s right to consent and permit individuals to be involuntarily confined against their will. The tabled legislation does not address previously raised, legitimate concerns about the serious infringement on the rights of Albertans, nor the considerable evidence that legislation of this type is both dangerous and ineffective.