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Canadian and provincial health-care groups are calling on the federal government to stop Alberta from allowing physicians to practise in both the public and private system.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The change is enabled by the Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2025 (No. 2), commonly called\u00a0 Bill 11, which takes effect on Tuesday.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201c[Bill 11 is] the biggest threat against health care since the Canada Health Act was passed in 1984,\u201d Jason MacLean, chair of the Canadian Health Coalition, said at a news conference in Ottawa Monday.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The group is planning rallies in 30 locations across Canada on its so-called Day of Action on Tuesday. The rallies will be followed by 50 town halls this fall as part of its national campaign against the bill.\u00a0<\/p>\n
MacLean said he believes changes enabled by the bill will make access to health care unequal. He said when physicians are able to practise in both systems, resources tend to migrate towards the private pay system, creating long waitlists in the public system.\u00a0<\/p>\n
MacLean called on federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel to take action before other provinces follow suit.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don’t understand why the federal government is mute on this. This is an issue of national consequence,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all know what happens in Alberta won’t just stay in Alberta.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bill 11 was introduced and passed in Alberta\u2019s legislature in the fall 2025 sitting, allowing doctors to apply to be able to practise in both the public and private spheres. <\/p>\n
In order to be eligible to apply for dual practice in Alberta, physicians need to work a prescribed number of hours in the public system. Family physicians are not allowed to practise in both systems at this time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
According to the province, surgeries under the dual-practice model likely won\u2019t start until later in the fall because physicians must get approved by the government first. They can start applying in mid-September. <\/p>\n
Maddison McKee, press secretary for Alberta\u2019s Hospital and Surgical Health Services Minister Adriana LaGrange, told CBC News that the province is reviewing nearly 400 expressions of interest received from physicians about the new dual-practice option over the summer.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will help us gauge interest, understand what specialists are contemplating dual practice and prepare for the formal application process,\u201d she wrote.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cApplications will be reviewed to ensure eligibility criteria and government requirements are met, including public surgery hour requirements, monitoring and new reporting requirements.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Province insists dual practice is allowed\u00a0<\/p>\n
McKee dismissed concerns raised by the Canadian Health Coalition about what it sees as Alberta moving to a U.S.-style health-care system as \u201cfearmongering.\u201d She said dual practice doesn\u2019t violate the Canada Health Act.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOur priority is a strong public system and ensuring Albertans never have to pay out of pocket for medically necessary care \u2014 which is a commitment we have made under our Public Health Care Guarantee,\u201d she wrote.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cExpanding access through dual practice does not take away from that. It adds to it. This is not an either\/or debate. It is about giving Albertans more choice.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n