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 — 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 — 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 — 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.

EDMONTON — Earlier today, the Alberta government announced a new acute care funding model, which involves switching to activity-based funding for surgeries, rather than using global hospital budgeting, essentially moving to a voucher model. This is a concerning shift that will impact Alberta hospital’s budgets.

EDMONTON — Yesterday, the Parkland Institute released a crucial and timely report titled Operation Profit: Private Surgical Contracts Deliver Higher Costs and Longer Waits. The report lays out clearly that the government is continuing to make a political decision to reward private, for-profit surgical centres at the expense of our public hospitals and the health of all Albertans.

EDMONTON — A new report commissioned by Friends of Medicare from the Parkland Institute and authored by Rebecca Graff-McRae titled, Access Denied: How the Changing Accessibility of Health Care Services in Alberta Impacts Equity, highlights how reduced capacity and decreased access have resulted in unmet health care needs for Albertans. The report examines these challenges across acute care, primary care, continuing care, as well as mental health and addictions.

EDMONTON — On page 13 of last week’s Budget 2025 Fiscal Plan there is a reference to the change of ownership for Alberta’s hospitals. As of April 1st, the titles for hundreds of health care facilities will be directly under the ownership of the provincial government through Alberta Infrastructure. As one Calgary Herald columnist summed it up over the weekend: “Sell off hospitals? The UCP Budget makes it possible.”