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Local health care activists rally at office of MP Alex Ruff
Posted: September 12, 2026
(September 11, 2026) By: Kelsey Bent, Waterloo Region Record
Grey Bruce Health Coalition was one of 26 communities in the province that took concerns about two-tier health care to their local member of parliament.
Grey Bruce Health Coalition was one of 26 communities in the province that took concerns about two-tier health care to their local member of parliament.
On Sept. 1 – the day Bill 11 came into effect (although it was passed in 2025) – a vocal and enthusiastic group held a rally outside the Owen Sound office of Alex Ruff, MP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound.
Organizer Brenda Scott commented, “It went really well. Many of the 25 people there brought their own signs, in addition to the signs we provided – ‘No Two-Tier Medicine.’”
Ruff wasn’t at his office at the time of the demonstration, 10 a.m. Scott said, “He didn’t join us. I’d phoned him before the demonstration and offered him the chance to say a few words. He declined.” However, Scott said he later spoke briefly with Owen Sound media.
Scott said that staff were present at the office, and were polite.
In Scott’s opening remarks at the rally, she encouraged people to go to municipal all-candidates meetings and ask about the Canada Health Act. Although health care is not traditionally a municipal responsibility, it has become a municipal issue, as various health care organizations including hospitals look for sources of funding and support.
She said, “We need to get our elbows up and support Canada.” She added that our prime minister has done a number of good things, but needs a reminder that “public service is a key part of our economy … an integral part. Support is needed.”
One of the two main speakers at the rally was Kevin Larsen, whose aunt wrote the book, Life Before Medicare. It’s filled with stories, like the woman who set her own broken arm because she couldn’t afford to go to the doctor.
The other speaker was Hazel Pratt, who brought greetings from Kevin Smith of the Grey-Bruce Labour Council.
There were also a number of people who shared their personal stories.
The rally originated with Alberta’s Friends of Medicare and the Ontario Health Coalition. The Friends of Medicare wanted a countrywide rally the day Bill 11 came into effect, and Grey-Bruce was one of the communities that responded. In fact, their rally led the way at 10 a.m.
Scott explained that Bill 11 allows physicians to work both within and outside the Ontario Health Care system. The results have alarmed some people. One of the stories Scott heard was from a person who was offered a choice between a public health care procedure that had a 64 per cent chance of success, or private treatment at a cost of several thousand dollars but with a 98 per cent chance of success. “Is that medicine or marketing?” she asked. “We don’t want American-style health care. People value our health-care system. People want it.”
Scott said the Grey-Bruce group was once again participating in Port Elgin’s Labour Day Parade – an enjoyable event that helps raise awareness and provides opportunities to provide information.
The group is also organizing a major event in Ottawa in October, date to be determined.
Announcement set Sept. 15
The Grey Bruce coalition chose Walkerton as the location for their Sept. 15 announcement of the results of the Ontario Health Coalition’s report on private clinics – Market Garden Park, 12:30 p.m. (rain location – the Walkerton Community Centre auditorium).
