As Premiers gathered in Charlottetown, NDP Member of Parliament and federal NDP critic for Health Gord Johns addressed a Canadian Health Coalition rally with a message on how to save Canada’s public healthcare system.

“Medicare was built on a simple promise. When you’re sick or injured, you get the care you need based on your health, not on the size of your bank account,” Johns said. “But today, that promise is under threat. And instead of standing up for Medicare, the Prime Minister is standing by and watching it be dismantled.”

Johns pointed to recent actions taken by the government of Alberta, where Premier Danielle Smith is shifting more surgeries, more doctors, and more public dollars into private, for-profit delivery.

“The Canada Health Act wasn’t written as a suggestion,” said Johns. “It is federal law. And if provinces violate its principles, the federal government has the authority and the responsibility to act”.

Johns concluded by sending a clear message that with Canada’s sovereignty under threat, Canada’s public Medicare system can help unite Canadians and build a stronger Canada.

“Medicare is one of Canada’s greatest achievements. Canadians don’t want an American-style, for-profit health care system where your credit card matters more than your health card,” Johns said.

Johns’ speech to the Canadian Health Coalition rally was attended by health care workers, patients, family members and the wider community.