Health minister must stand up to Alberta on dual-practice care

Last week, Alberta implemented a dual-practice health care model, creating parallel private and public systems and inviting doctors to spend less time delivering public, universal health care services.  

But what does this truly mean for Albertans? As physicians divide their time between both systems, fewer resources will be available in the public system, making it even harder for many Albertans to access doctors, specialists, and timely treatment.  

Access to care will depend less on need and increasingly on a person's ability to pay, moving Alberta closer to an American-style health-care system. 

This is not just a change in policy. It strikes at a value that has long defined Canada. Our country is known for its commitment to fair and equitable health care for all, a system built on the simple belief that your bank account should not determine how quickly you receive medical care.  

No new resources, just growing inequities  

The Alberta government argues that private care will relieve pressure on the public system. Yet, the evidence from around the world is clear: where a parallel private care system operates, both health outcomes and access to care are worse overall.  

We’ve even seen it in Canada: Quebec has allowed more private care than any other province. The difference in access to care is so great that Quebec now requires new doctors work in the public system for five years before they are allowed to practise in a private setting, and access to care has still not improved. Alberta’s private care plans will similarly weaken an already challenged public health system.  

There are only so many physicians, nurses, operating rooms, and health-care resources available. Allowing doctors to divide their time between public and private practice does not create new capacity overnight. Instead, it invites redistributing existing resources toward those who can afford to pay. 

For Albertans, that could mean longer waits to see a specialist, and further delays for surgeries and diagnostic tests. At a time when nearly six million Canadians do not have access to primary care, the province is choosing a path that could deepen existing gaps rather than close them. 

Ottawa cannot look away 

We know a strong public health system works best when care is determined by medical need, not personal finances. The implications of Alberta's new health-care model extend beyond its borders. If one province can move toward a system where access to care increasingly depends on a person's ability to pay, what will stop others from following suit? 

That is why the federal government cannot remain on the sidelines. Health Minister Marjorie Michel must stand up to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to enforce the federal laws that are meant to protect our health-care system. 

The Canada Health Act exists to protect a core national principle: that Canadians should have timely access to medically necessary care based on need. It also sets clear expectations for accessible and equitable care across the country. 

The government’s reaction to Bill-11 is not just about one province. The federal government has a responsibility to defend the principles that have defined our health-care system for generations.  

If Ottawa fails to act, this will create a precedent that reshapes health care nationwide. 

It’s time to act

Rather than redistributing a limited pool of health-care resources, governments should focus on solutions that expand capacity and improve access for all Canadians. 

Investing in team-based primary care, training more physicians and nurses, enabling health professionals to practice across provincial borders, and reducing the paperwork that keeps doctors from spending more time with their patients would strengthen the system, make better use of resources, and free up more time for patient care. 

These are practical, evidence-based solutions that can improve access to care without compromising the principles of a publicly funded health system.  

Albertans deserve a government willing to embrace solutions like these. The CMA will continue to advocate for policies that strengthen public health care and ensure all patients receive the care they need. 

Dr. Bolu Ogunyemi is a dermatologist from St. John's, N.L.,  and the president of the Canadian Medical Association.

The Hill Times