I've submitted a formal request for Federal action regarding Alberta’s failure to provide reasonable access to insured emergency health services, in violation of the Accessibility criterion in section 12(1)(a) of the Canada Health Act, which requires provinces to provide insured health services “on a basis that does not impede or preclude…reasonable access…by insured persons.”

I believe the Province of Alberta is degrading access in the public system while shifting more services and dollars toward private and contracted providers, in a way that undermines the Canada Health Act.

The Government of Alberta is currently and actively restructuring the health system (through “refocusing” and MAPS primary care changes) and has passed Bill 55, Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2025 (Royal Assent May 15, 2025). This bill allows the Minister of Health to designate new operators for approved public hospitals, including private corporations, and is widely understood by health-care unions and associations as opening the door to private, for-profit hospital operation and patient fees. This is not something Albertans want, nor can we afford.

 “The full financial effect [of Bill 55], including the impact on AHS assets, liabilities and operations is currently unknown.” 
    - W. Doug Wylie FCPA, FCMA, ICD.D, Auditor General, June 2, 2025.

I believe that the large majority of Albertans either do not know the magnitude and implications of these changes, or are completely unaware of them.

A copy of my full letter can be found here.
link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S-VM6nHpy-7ykmJVAJrr15n4LPuU-JNp/view?usp=sharing

I live in Alberta and routinely see posted wait times of 5–9 hours to see a physician in emergency departments on the official Alberta Health Services (AHS) wait-time tools. As of the date of writing this letter, two of the nearest hospitals to me have a current wait time of 12h18min (Misercordia Hospital), and 9h29min (WestView Health Centre).  This is not an occasional surge; it has become the norm. I have lived in the Edmonton area since 1989 and have worked within the public and private health sector (laboratory). I am sounding the alarm. Alberta is past the breaking point, and as Albertans we are waving the white flag.

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I encourage others to sign this petition and contact The Honourable Marjorie Michel (Federal Minister of Health) and the Canada Health Act Compliance Division (Health Canada, Government of Canada).

Please scroll down to the 'petition updates' to see further context, details, and filings since the original petition and request was submitted.