Our 2026 Parliament Hill Lobby recap
More than 200 health care workers and advocates from across Canada gathered on Parliament Hill in Ottawa for the Canadian Health Coalition’s annual public health care lobby, held February 9 to 11, 2026. Over three days, we met face-to-face with Members of Parliament and Senators to defend public health care. It was the largest lobby in Canadian Health Coalition history.
Participants in the Canadian Health Coalition’s 2026 Parliament Hill Lobby. Photo by John Major.
100 meetings held with MPs and Senators from all parties
Lobby volunteers meet with Lori Idlout, MP for Nunavut on Tuesday, February 9, 2026.
Our lobby volunteers held 100 meetings with MPs and Senators from every political party, pressing them on four key issues: protecting health care funding and jobs, upholding the Canada Health Act to stop privatization, expanding pharmacare nationwide, and supporting health care workers. From Conservatives to NDP, Liberals to Bloc Québécois members, and even the Green Party, they sat across the table from Parliamentarians and made the case for a stronger, public health care system.
Alicia Carty receives Nell Toussaint Award for Universal Health Care
Alicia Carty is presented the 2026 Nell Toussaint Award from Canadian Health Coalition Chairperson Jason MacLean on Monday, February 9 2026. Photo by John Major.
The Canadian Health Coalition presented the 2026 Nell Toussaint Award for Universal Health Care to Alicia Carty at a reception hosted by Speaker of the House Francis Scarpaleggia on Monday, February 9, 2026. The award honours Black champions of universal public health care during Black History Month, recognizing the legacy of Nell Toussaint, who died in 2023.
News conferences draw national media attention
Canadian Health Coalition Chairperson Jason MacLean speaks out for public health care at a news conference on Monday, February 9 2026. Photo by John Major.
On Monday, February 9, and Tuesday, February 10, the Canadian Health Coalition participated in two news conferences on Parliament Hill that drew Canada-wide coverage from The Canadian Press and other national media outlets. Canadian Health Coalition Chairperson Jason MacLean called on the federal government to enforce the Canada Health Act and withhold funding from provinces that violate it. “The federal government needs to step up and defend universal public health care now,” MacLean said.
Hundreds rally for public health care on Parliament Hill
Health care advocates brave winter weather to rally on Parliament Hill, February 10, 2026. Photo by John Major.
Hundreds braved freezing temperatures and snow to rally for public health care on Parliament Hill’s doorstep. Fifteen speakers shared stories from the frontlines of Canada’s health care system, calling on the federal government to enforce the Canada Health Act, stop health care privatization, and expand pharmacare.
Health Coalition turns focus to fighting Government of Alberta’s two-tier health care law
Advocates rally against two-tier health care on Parliament Hill, February 10, 2026. Photo by John Major.
Now that our lobby has wrapped, our work as Canada’s leading national advocate for public health care continues. The fight against the government of Alberta’s new two-tier health care legislation, is our next priority.
The Health Statutes Amendment Act, previously known as Bill 11, enables physicians in Alberta to work in both public and private health systems simultaneously, allowing them to charge patients out-of-pocket for medically necessary services and effectively ending equal access to health care based on medical need. This law sets a dangerous precedent for every province and territory, opening the door to American style health care in Canada. It means widespread privatization and the dismantling of universal health care as we know it. In the coming months, we’ll focus our efforts on fighting two-tier health care and urging the federal government to enforce the Canada Health Act.
We can’t do this work without the support of public health care advocates across the country. Every dollar you give funds advocacy campaigns, media outreach, and mobilizing Canadians to demand action from the federal government.
Will you chip in $20 today to help support this critical work?
Thank you for reading and staying informed about our work to defend public health care. Follow us on social media to continue to stay up to date on our advocacy efforts across Canada. If you have not already, please consider subscribing to our email list or following us on social media.
Haylee Keyes is the National Director of Development and Community Engagement for the Canadian Health Coalition
