Four former deans of medicine in Alberta have joined a growing chorus of critics asking Ottawa to intervene in the province’s dual-practice health care model, which allows eligible doctors to toggle between the public and private systems.
Alanna Smith Health reporter
The Globe and Mail
October 1, 2026
Tom Feasby, Jon Meddings and Eldon Smith, all formerly with the University of Calgary, and Tom Marrie, who was with the University of Alberta – sent a letter on the contentious issue to Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday. They expressed “deep concern” about the public-private model and assert it violates the Canada Health Act.
“It is clear that the Alberta government is not going to change course and, therefore, we strongly request that you and the federal government step in and defend the principles of the Canada Health Act,” said the letter, which was also sent to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.
Alberta’s model is unlike any other in Canada, allowing some surgical specialists to bill the public purse while also privately charging patients for their services. The legislation, which took effect Sept. 1, covers such procedures as hip and knee replacements, cataract surgery and dermatology.
There is intense debate about whether it contravenes federal law.
The model has come under widespread scrutiny, including from the Canadian Medical Association and its Alberta counterpart, which argue it could create a two-tier system where people who can afford to pay out of pocket receive faster care. In March, 23 health and labour organizations across the country called on Mr. Carney to take action.
“The difference in Alberta is, because we have such a restricted number of both beds and physicians, that when somebody pays for this, it’s not an extra spot that wouldn’t have been used. It is taking it away from somebody who would have needed that spot.”
The Prime Minister has been largely silent on the issue, but federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel has expressed concern about how the policy will co-exist with the Canada Health Act.
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