Alberta defends public-private health care model as experts say it could violate Canada Health Act

The Alberta government defended its plan to introduce a public-private model for physicians on Tuesday, a proposal that health care experts say could contravene the Canada Health Act.

Alberta intends to introduce a hybrid model in health care where doctors could work in both systems simultaneously, The Globe and Mail revealed on Tuesday, according to confidential draft legislation. No other Canadian province allows physicians to toggle between the two systems.

Matt Jones, Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services, during Question Period, said the model has worked in other jurisdictions, listing countries such as Denmark and France. He also pointed to Quebec and New Brunswick, despite neither province operating a hybrid system similar to what Alberta is proposing.