Labour movement demands Prime Minister and Health Minister stop Alberta’s two-tier health care law
Over 2,500 union activists issued a strong call for federal action to enforce the Canada Health Act in the face of unprecedented privatization by Alberta’s Premier Danielle Smith.
An emergency resolution against Alberta’s two-tier health care laws passed unanimously at the Canadian Labour Congress’ 31st Constitutional Convention today in Winnipeg. The resolution demanded that, “the Prime Minister and Health Minister enforce the Canada Health Act to stop the privatization of health care, including Alberta’s Bills 11 and 29.”
In December the Alberta Legislature passed Bill 11, and a new legal opinion by Goldblatt Partners LLP commissioned by the Canadian Health Coalition demonstrates the bill is a flagrant violation of the federal Canada Health Act, the key legislation underpinning Canada’s universal public health care system and billions of dollars in annual health care funding transferred to provinces and territories each year.
The emergency resolution was submitted by the National Union of Public and General Employees and supported by the Canadian Health Coalition.
Emergency Resolution – Enforcing the Canada Health Act
Submitted to the 31st Constitutional Convention of the Canadian Labour Congress
The CLC will:
1) Take action to:
- oppose legislation from Premier Danielle Smith that entrenches two-tier health care for Albertans by allowing physicians to charge patients whatever they want for medically necessary services
- oppose any attempts to introduce similar legislation elsewhere in Canada;
- demand that the Prime Minister and Health Minister enforce the Canada Health Act to stop the privatization of health care, including Alberta’s Bills 11 and 29
2) Support other organizational efforts to protect public health care in Alberta and across Canada.
Because:
- A legal opinion obtained in April 2026 shows that Bill-11, which privatizes medically necessary care, is a violation of the Canada Health Act.
- Alberta’s Bill-29 introduced on April 13, 2026, further extends health care privatization.
- If Bill 11 and Bil 29 are allowed to stand, public universal Medicare based on medical need, not ability to pay, is jeopardized for everyone in Canada.
Submitted by the National Union of Public and General Employees
