Send ‘a strong signal that Canada works’ NDP Opposition leader urges PM Mark Carney in letter

Opposition Leader Naheed Nenshi called yesterday on Ottawa to step in and use the Canada Health Act to force Alberta’s government to drop its plan to allow surgeons to practice in the public health care system while at the same time billing patients to jump to the front of the line for surgeries.

It beats me whether this is a bold move by Mr. Nenshi to cut the Gordian knot surrounding the UCP’s constant sneaky efforts to undermine public health care or an unforced error in a province where residents have been indoctrinated for nearly a century to believe Ottawa is a malicious busybody. 

On Thursday, the United Conservative Party Government plunged ahead with a radical scheme to Americanize health care in Alberta by introducing what it calls “dual practice” in public hospital operating rooms, which opponents credibly argue presents an existential threat to public health care everywhere in Canada thanks to international trade agreements that guarantee foreign companies equal access to Canadian markets.

In her announcement, Alberta Hospital and Surgical Health Services Minister Adriana LaGrange said the province would start recruiting doctors for dual practice as soon as next week, and have the system operating by fall. In other words, as quickly as possible, even though the plan is obviously still only half baked. 

So in his letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, which Mr. Nenshi posted on his social media accounts, the NDP leader said “Albertans are looking for someone to protect them and to protect public health care. If they see the federal government as having a consequential role in protecting the public health care they value, this will be a strong signal that Canada works.” 

“I implore you,” the letter to the PM continued, to ask federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel to immediately review the Alberta government’s decision – something the Carney Liberals are clearly reluctant to do. “At a minimum, any reforms must be demonstrably aligned with the Canada Health Act, include enforceable practice ratios, and prohibit measures that would allow inequitable access to care,” Mr. Nenshi said. 

As for Ms. Michel, in a statement also published on social media, she tepidly promised to defend the principles of the Canada Health Act but sounded decidedly unenthusiastic when she noted that Health Canada has seen the regulations published by Alberta and would be “taking the time to review them carefully and engage with Alberta officials to better understand their components and potential impacts before they are implemented.”

For those praying for federal intervention, this is not exactly a cry of a las Barricadas!

The UCP reaction was predictable. “The NDP is literally requesting that the federal government intervene in an area of provincial jurisdiction,” chirped Premier Danielle Smith’s chief of staff, former Wildrose Party MLA Rob Anderson, in faux shocked tones. “Could you imagine having them in government ‘defending’ our provincial rights?”

Mr. Anderson, an author of the separatist “Free Alberta Strategy” who seems to grow more obnoxious by the day, continued: “If you don’t like the policy Naheed, explain why to Albertans and run your election campaign on it. We’ll beat you fair and square. But don’t whine to Ottawa and ask them to oversee and interfere in our provincial affairs. Grow a spine dude …”

Actually, whether or not it’s a smart strategy, I think Mr. Nenshi is pretty brave to try it given the risks. The UCP plan, after all, is to enact the policy before anyone can react – certainly before there will be an Alberta election – ensuring the damage can’t be undone.

That may or may not suit the federal government, but I doubt it suits most Canadians or most Albertans. 

In a news conference yesterday, Mr. Nenshi provided more insight into his thinking. Catherine Griwkowski of allAlberta.com asked how the federal government should tread the needle “when there are these people saying Ottawa’s stepping in a little bit too much in our business”?

Mr. Nenshi responded: “You know, that’s a question I hear from people in Ottawa all the time. ‘If we step in, will Albertans be offended?’ But here’s the thing: stop trying to be political about it! Stop trying to thread the needle! Just enforce the law.”

“And frankly, a hell of a lot more Albertans support public health care than support Danielle Smith,” he went on. “And a hell of a lot more Albertans support public health care than support separatism. So if the federal government actually steps in and says, ‘We are the defenders of public health care,’ that actually shows Albertans that Canada works and that there really is a role for the federal government. And I hope that’s the decision we take.”