Health

During question period on health, Don Davies of the NDP asked why the federal government is not acting against Alberta’s private health care law, saying legal experts found it violates the Canada Health Act by letting patients pay for faster care. Liberal minister Marjorie Michel replied that she recently spoke with Alberta’s health minister, that Alberta’s regulations are not yet in place, that the two departments are working together, and that she could not say Alberta is not complying with the Canada Health Act. A Bloc Québécois member raised a point about the Prime Minister’s absence from the House, asking the Speaker to remind him of the rules.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

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1 statement

Don Davies, Vancouver Kingsway

NDP
“Alberta's private health care law breaks federal health rules by letting rich people pay to get care faster. The federal government must protect public health care. Why is the Prime Minister doing nothing to stop this?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, legal experts just confirmed what New Democrats have been warning for months: Alberta’s private health care law violates the Canada Health Act. Danielle Smith’s two-tier scheme lets wealthy patients pay to jump the line, while everyone else waits longer. This breaks a core principle of public health care: access must be based on need, not ability to pay. Upholding this value is the federal government’s job, but the Liberals have refused to do it. Why is the Prime Minister doing nothing while Conservatives dismantle public health care?

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