Liberal Leader Mark Carney is drawing criticism from opposition parties and health advocacy groups after failing to clearly outline how he would safeguard Canada’s public health care system, particularly in response to growing privatization efforts in Alberta.
While speaking in Calgary on Wednesday, Carney was questioned on how he would uphold the Canada Health Act, given that some provinces are increasingly turning to private health care delivery funded with public money.
“I believe in working collaboratively with provinces and focusing on achieving results for Canadians,” Carney said. “We will ensure the rights of all Albertans—and Canadians—are fully respected by engaging directly and pragmatically with the provinces.”
The Canada Health Act is federal legislation that ensures publicly funded health insurance is accessible to all Canadians without financial or other barriers. However, critics argue that its enforcement has been inconsistent in recent years, especially as some provinces, including Alberta, expand private health care delivery.
Earlier this week, the Alberta government unveiled a new plan to redirect public funds to privately operated surgical centres in a bid to reduce wait times. Critics argue the move will accelerate health care privatization in the province and undermine the universal system.
The Canadian Health Coalition, a public health advocacy organization, voiced deep concern over Carney’s lack of commitment.
“Mr. Carney failed to address Canadians’ growing fears about the increasing involvement of for-profit companies in delivering medically necessary services,” said Steven Staples, national policy director for the coalition. “Anyone aspiring to be prime minister must unequivocally commit to defending the Canada Health Act and universal public health care.”
The federal NDP also seized the opportunity to criticize Carney. The party reposted earlier remarks by Leader Jagmeet Singh, in which he accused Alberta of spearheading the “Americanization” of health care and rebuked both the Liberal Party and Carney for not taking a firmer stand.
“Alberta is ground zero for health care privatization,” Singh said. “The Liberals, including Mark Carney, have failed to enforce the Canada Health Act. We are committed to doing what they wouldn’t—enforcing the law and ending privatization.”
Earlier this year, then-Health Minister Mark Holland had sent a letter to all provincial and territorial governments emphasizing the importance of upholding the principles of the Canada Health Act. The letter stated that patients must not be charged for medically necessary services, even if those services are delivered outside traditional public hospitals.
“When innovations are introduced into our system, they must benefit all Canadians equally,” Holland wrote. “Unfortunately, that has not been the case in every instance, and in some cases, patients have been billed for care that should be publicly funded.”
As debate over the future of Canadian health care intensifies ahead of the 2025 federal election, Carney’s comments are likely to remain a flashpoint in the broader national conversation about universal access vs. privatized options.
