Below is a statement from Friends of Medicare's executive director Chris Gallaway:

EDMONTON — On Friday, in response to our ongoing advocacy to protect public health care, the provincial government sent a statement to the media that attacked the credibility of Friends of Medicare, including stating that: “They [Friends of Medicare] routinely spread misinformation and hyperbolic predictions; it’s misleading to cite them as if they were impartial or expert.”

Initial Budget Response from Chris Gallaway, Executive Director of Friends of Medicare:

EDMONTON — Yesterday afternoon, the Premier and her Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services held a large news conference simply to announce that they are launching a navigation portal for those seeking to access continuing care and assisted living options in Alberta.

EDMONTON — Last week, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) released a new report in which Andrew Longhurst looks into the Alberta government’s attempts to defend Bill 11: the Health Statutes Amendment Act 2025 (no. 2) by pointing at other jurisdictions.

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.

EDMONTON — The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and the Parkland Institute jointly released a new report this morning which analyses Bill 11: the Health Statutes Amendment Act 2025 (no.2). The report titled The End of Canadian Medicare? Alberta Legislation Opens the Door to U.S. Health Care shows clearly that legislation passed by the provincial government in December is an existential threat to our treasured public health care system.

EDMONTON - Later this afternoon, Prime Minister Mark Carney will meet with Alberta Premier Daneille Smith, before hosting all of the Premiers in Ottawa for a First Ministers’ dinner this evening and a meeting to discuss the Canada-US-Mexico-Agreement (CUSMA) trade talks tomorrow.

EDMONTON — Last month saw an aggressive series of attacks on the remaining life-saving supervised consumption services in Alberta. The permanent closure of the supervised consumption site at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton happened on December 16. The Premier also announced the government’s intention to close services at the Sheldon Chumar Health Centre in Calgary, while the City of Lethbridge passed a motion advocating for the closure of their Overdose Prevention Site.

EDMONTON — In an open letter to the Prime Minister and Health Minister, Health Coalitions representing over three million Canadians call on the federal government to intervene in the face of two-tier Medicare being brought in by Alberta's Bill 11.

Defenders of universal public health care are calling upon the federal government to uphold the Canada Health Act.

Below you can read a copy of the open letter.

Le français suit.

EDMONTON - After repeatedly using time allocation motions to limit debate on Bill 11: The Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2025 (No. 2), the government passed it through third reading in the legislature this afternoon. This legislation creates the legal framework for American-style, two-tier health care and the establishment of private health insurance, while allowing private payment for medically necessary care.