Another year of fighting for universal public health care

The Canadian Health Coalition has published our Report of Activities and Campaigns for 2025-26 in time for our Annual General Meeting on June 1. What follows is the introduction to the report by Chairperson Jason MacLean.

CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT

Dear colleagues and friends –

2025 began with our coalition organizing to make health care a top issue in the April federal election. The year ended with Alberta passing a new health care law that threatens the very existence of Medicare as we know it. In a world of chaos, crises and uncertainties, we can rest assure we have a Canadian Health Coalition fighting to keep universal public health care.

Together, we are mounting an offensive against any incursion of U.S. style two-tier health care taking hold in Canada. We are pushing back to say everyone in Canada deserves Medicare and deserves better Medicare, a Medicare that is expansive and includes dental care and medicines.

Recent Canadian Health Coalition highlights include:

OUR BIGGEST LOBBY TO DATE

Two hundred health care workers and advocates from across Canada gathered on Parliament Hill in Ottawa for our annual public health care lobby on February 9 to 11, 2026. Over three days, we met with Members of Parliament and Senators to defend public health care. We are happy to report a majority of MPs told us they support upholding the Canada Health Act.

MAKING CARNEY KEEP HIS PHARMACARE PROMISE

From premiers’ meetings to Liberal Party conventions, we continue to do what we can to protect and expand pharmacare so that all people in Canada benefit from free diabetes medication and contraceptives. Working with Alberta’s Friends of Medicare, we organized a contingent outside the meeting of the newly elected Liberal caucus in Edmonton in September. Liberal MPs could not ignore our billboards and signs that said, “Carney, keep your pharmacare promise.” On the east coast, we supported the New Brunswick Health Coalition’s provincial pharmacare lobby and are about to launch a similar lobby in Newfoundland and Labrador.

ANOTHER YEAR OF GROWTH

Our membership, representing Canada’s health care worker unions and civil society groups, continue to offer steadfast support for our coalition’s work to protect and expand public health care. We must grow to protect public health care and are working on adding new members to our coalition. In 2025, we welcomed the Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union (COPE) as a new member.

Representing office employees, technical and professional employees and sales representatives both in the private and public sectors, COPE members are the latest workforce to join our collective effort towards defending and expanding public health care in Canada.

Our coalition is also working on diversifying our funding base to be more effective. Individuals are giving more than ever before to the Canadian Health Coalition. Our coalition has seen a remarkable 134 per cent increase in total revenue from individual donors.

CELEBRATING MILESTONES

On December 5, our member Inter Pares celebrated their 50th anniversary. The Canadian Health Coalition is honoured to collaborate with the brilliant Inter Pares staff on their global health equity and justice initiatives.

LOOKING AHEAD

Now that the Carney Liberals have a majority government, the Canadian Health Coalition will continue to draw upon the incredible strength within our movement to fulfill our mission. Together, we will realize our dream of better Medicare.

Respectfully submitted,