Our universal medicare is at risk

Our universal medicare is at risk

Published 6:30 am Saturday, October 10, 2026

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A month ago, the Alberta government started acting on its new health care law, which brings in American style two-tier health care.

It violates the Canada Health Act in several ways, particularly its principle that medically necessary healthcare must be accessible according to need, not ability to pay.

If Alberta is not required to obey the Canada Health Act it is not only Albertans who will suffer. Some provincial governments are very likely to follow Alberta, and our much loved universal health care system is then likely to fall apart.

In the short term, what will this mean for Yukoners travelling to Alberta? In the long term, what could it mean for the cost of health care for Yukoners at home?

Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel has written to the Alberta government reminding them of the Canada Health Act’s requirements and of the sanctions for non-compliance, but so far Alberta is going ahead.

Medicare certainly needs more funding, especially to shorten wait lists, but it is still a good, fair system.

We urge Yukoners to join those speaking up across Canada in defense of Medicare. Write to Minister Michel, Marjorie.michel@parl.gov.ca Writing to MP Brendan Hanley and Prime Minster Carney is also a good idea.

For more information: Look for “Privatization” at Friends of Medicare website. Look for “Health Care” at The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives website.

Let’s not let the for profit health insurance companies and their massive lobbying have the last word!

—Heather Finton, Lenore Morris, Sandy Chism, Mary Amerongen, Council of Canadians Yukon Chapter