Tuesday February 10, 2026 | OTTAWA, ON [Posted at 1:35 pm PT]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Even just a few years ago it would have been thought unnecessary to have to defend the health-care act that Canadians rely on for free accessible health care in this country.
But today the need was clear.
Today, MP Gord Johns (Courtenay-Alberni), NDP Critic for Health, was joined by key health care advocates and stakeholdersfor a press conference to reaffirm the urgent need to protect and strengthen Canada’s public health care system.
Held in Ottawa, the event brought together voices from the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions, the Canadian Health Coalition, Friends of Medicare, the Canadian Labour Congress, and frontline health care workers.
- Johns highlighted the critical challenges facing Canada’s health care system, including short staffing, burnout, and increasing violence toward health care workers.
- He also pointed to the growing threat of privatization, particularly in Alberta, where Bill 11 threatens to introduce a two-tier, American-style system that undermines the core values of the Canada Health Act.
The Alberta government’s Bill 11 passed in December. It outlined a dual practice model for physicians that would enable doctors to practice concurrently in both the public and private systems, deciding whether to charge the patient or the province for services on a case-by-case basis.
“We cannot let this happen, not in Alberta, not anywhere in Canada,” said Johns. “Public health care is one of the things that defines us as a country. It’s not a business opportunity; it’s a shared commitment we make to each other. We cannot allow it to be dismantled.”
The NDP and today’s supporters have called on the federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel to block Bill 11 in Alberta.
Request to the federal health minister:
Today MP Johns called on the federal health minister to meet with stakeholders who are advocating against Bill 11 and for universal health care overall.
Not a business opportunity:
“Public health care is one of the things that defines us as a country. It’s not a business opportunity; it’s a shared commitment we make to each other.”
“Nurses, care workers, and patients are the heart of our public health system,” said Johns today.
“The Canada Health Act promises universal, public health care. This is a promise that Canadians believe in and expect all levels of government to uphold,” said Johns.
Staffing crisis:
The Vancouver Island MP (one of seven NDP MPs in the 45th Parliament) emphasized that the current health care staffing crisis is not just a workplace issue, but a national health care emergency. “Too many nurses are working overtime just to keep the system afloat. One in three nurses is considering leaving their job in the next year. This is not just a staffing issue; it’s a national health care crisis,” said Johns.
In the face of growing concerns, Johns also criticized the provincial government’s moves towards privatization, warning that it will not reduce wait times but will instead drain staff from public hospitals, pull resources away from the public system, and further strain the quality of care.
Federal funding:
The federal government, Johns said, has a responsibility to defend the principles of the Canada Health Act by ensuring federal dollars strengthen the public system, not private profits.
Role of the NDP:
Political pundits banter back and forth about the relevance of the NDP with now just seven MPs since the April 2025 federal election.
Perhaps health care is at the core of the NDP’s work in the Canadian political system.
“Canadians built Medicare together,” said Johns in his remarks today.
“Together we will defend it. For our children, for our seniors, and for every family who depends on it,” said Johns today.
“Tommy Douglas taught us that health care should depend on need, not the size of your wallet. It’s something Canadians still believe in, and something governments should defend.”
Stakeholders and supporters:
Chris Gallaway, Executive Director of Friends of Medicare, stressed the urgent need for federal action to protect public health care: “Bill 11 will bring in two-tier American-style health care to Alberta – a clear violation of the Canada Health Act. For months, the federal government has been silent on what’s happening in Alberta. We need them to speak up, enforce the Canada Health Act, and take action to save our treasured single-payer public health care.”
Siobhàn Vipond, Executive Vice-President of the Canadian Labour Congress, highlighted the dangers of privatization: “As privatization expands, inequality will grow. A strong public system must protect everyone. Public health care is one of Canada’s proudest achievements. We must protect it, strengthen it, and keep it public.”
Linda Silas, President of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions, echoed the need for public investment: “Canada is facing many health care crises, but the solution is not the American model. The solution is stable public investment, safe staffing ratios, reinforced patient safety, and respecting health care workers.”
MP Gord Johns closed by reaffirming his commitment to defending public health care and called for unity in the fight to protect it for future generations.
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NEWS SECTIONS: HEALTH | FEDERAL NDP | 45th PARLIAMENT of CANADA