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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 .

Official text

3 statements

Don Davies

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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Marjorie Michel

Liberal
“I spoke with Alberta's health minister last week. The new rules are not in place yet, and our teams are working together. Alberta is not breaking federal health laws, and the minister told me she wants to follow them.”

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, that is news to me, because I spoke with Alberta’s health minister last week and the regulations have not yet been put in place. Our two departments are working together. For the moment, I cannot say that Alberta is not complying with the Canada Health Act. I can confirm that Alberta’s health minister has authorized me to say that she wants to work within the framework of the Canada Health Act.

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Christine Normandin

Bloc Québécois

Linked statement

“A member pointed out that the Prime Minister is absent. I want you to remind him that the rules do not allow this.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, in answer to a question from the Bloc Québécois during question period, the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons pointed out the Prime Minister’s absence. I would like you to either remind him of the rules or withhold his dessert when you send him to the Centre Block dungeons.

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