A coalition of health-care advocates is currently lobbying on Parliament Hill for the federal government to take a definitive stance against Alberta's recent legislation that expands the privatization of health care. This legislation, passed under Premier Danielle Smith's government, allows physicians to operate within both public and private health care systems, which the advocates argue is a direct violation of the Canada Health Act. The chair of the health coalition, Jason MacLean, contends that this change poses a significant threat to the integrity of Canada's health-care system and calls for federal action to maintain public health care standards.

Advocates emphasize the importance of a unified national health care approach and are pressing federal authorities to consider withholding funding to provinces that do not comply with the principles outlined in the Canada Health Act. Chris Galloway, the executive director of Friends of Medicare Alberta, has voiced strong concerns regarding the federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel's silence on this critical issue, suggesting a timely intervention is necessary for the preservation of public health services in Alberta and beyond. Galloway's calls for action underline the tension between provincial initiatives and the federal government's role in health care.

Despite setting up meetings with around 100 Members of Parliament and senators this week to advocate for public health policies, the coalition notes that Minister Michel has not yet agreed to engage in discussions about the implications of Alberta's new law. The situation highlights the growing concern among health advocates regarding the future of Canada's public health system and the potential precedence set by Alberta's privatization efforts, which may encourage similar actions in other provinces if left unchecked.