The Passage of Bill 11 in Alberta

May 12, 2000

The Government of Alberta's Bill 11 takes us in the wrong direction. We have grave reservations about investing public funds in private-for-profit facilities.

We have expressed concerns that in its application, the legislation could create conditions where violations of the Canada Health Act (CHA) will occur.

The Minister of Health has the authority to enforce the CHA. He has pledged to be vigilant in this responsibility as the practices unfold on the ground.

In response to recommendations from the Auditor General, an additional $4 million a year will be added to Health Canada's current $1.5 million budget to monitor and assess compliance with the Act across Canada.

Fundamental questions about Bill 11 have never been answered: how will this lead to better care, greater efficiency or reduced waiting lists?

The Health Minister had asked Alberta to draft legislation similar to that of Saskatchewan and Ontario – which specifically prohibits charging patients for goods and services used in the provision of insured health services. The bill does not reflect these provisions.

The Government of Canada has made it clear that surgical facilities are hospitals under the CHA – any charges to patients for insured health services will be considered a violation of the Act, including the selling of hospital services to an insured person on a private basis.

Our government is steadfastly committed to upholding the five principles of the CHA – universality, comprehensiveness, accessibility, portability and public administration.

We are also committed to continuing to work with our provincial partners – creatively within our respective jurisdictions – to reform and renew Canada’s health care system.

The status quo is not an option, but the principles of the CHA are flexible enough to allow for substantive renewal of the health care system.

The Canada Health Act and NAFTA

The government took the necessary steps to protect the CHA under NAFTA.

For example, the NAFTA Annex II reservation for social services exempts services supplied for public purpose from NAFTA’s national treatment obligation.

And our public health care system will not be on the table during World Trade Organization negotiations or in the Free Trade Area of the Americas.