Today, MP Gord Johns (Courtenay-Alberni), NDP Critic for Health, joined by key health care advocates and stakeholders, held a press conference to reaffirm the urgent need to protect and strengthen Canada’s public health care system. 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.
“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.”

“We are gathered on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe people, and I want to thank them for their stewardship of this land,” said MP Gord Johns. “Nurses, care workers, and patients are the heart of our public health system. Your voices matter, and I am proud to stand with you.”

Johns emphasized that the current 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.

“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.”

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.

“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.

Quotes from Stakeholders:

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.

“We built Medicare together, and together we will defend it. For our children, for our seniors, and for every family who depends on it,” said Johns.