Windsor-Essex protest voices opposition to Alberta healthcare legislation

Posted: September 3, 2026

(September 3, 2026) By: Rusty Thomson, AM800 CKLW

The Windsor-Essex Health Coalition is calling on the federal government to enforce the Canada Health Act to prevent health care privatization.

The call was made Tuesday outside the office of Windsor-Tecumseh-Lakeshore Conservative MP Kathy Borelli as part of a nation-wide Day of Action organized by the Canada Health Coalition against health care privatization.

The local coalition called on Borrelli to advocate to the federal government to enforce the Canada Health Act and take steps to ensure private, for-profit, U.S.-style health care is kept out of Canada.

The call is being made as Alberta’s Bill 11—the Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2025 (No. 2)—takes effect.

Windsor-Essex Health Coalition Co-Chair Patrick Hannon says Alberta’s Bill 11 is the most severe opening of private health care into the public system.

“This has to be challenged. It has to be challenged nationwide. The ramifications and implications for one province to start going into and allowing private health care could have severe impacts on the rest of the provinces,” he says.

The legislation allows physicians to charge patients for medically necessary healthcare services while also billing the public healthcare system.

Health coalitions across the country say the changes could lead to a two-tier healthcare system.

Hannon says Alberta’s Bill 11 goes against fundamental pillars of the Canada Health Act.

“To the public and government, we need to step up and support each other and support the fight for our Medicaid system. It is being eroded, and it is being allowed by the Carney government. We have to defend it. If we don’t defend it, we will lose it; we will not get it back,” he says.

On April 17, 1984, the Canada Health Act was passed unanimously into law, guaranteeing every Canadian access to health care, regardless of income.

Hannon says he doesn’t fault any profession that wants to make a profit, but we don’t need a private health care system here.

“There should be no profit off sickness. People should not have to choose between paying their bills and paying for medical care,” he says.

Kathy Borelli was not in her office Tuesday, as she was out on her last day of vacation, but a spokesperson says, “As a nurse, Kathy is incredibly aware and wants to ensure all Canadians have access to health care. As the member of parliament for Windsor-Tecumseh-Lakeshore, right now with everything going on with the United States, our primary focus is making sure we get a deal that works to protect the manufacturing jobs in Windsor. We have mold makers and automotive jobs; we’re putting all of our efforts into protecting jobs and families in Windsor.”

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