Government Bill 55 opens the door to for-profit hospitals: HSAA President

Mike Parker, President of the Health Sciences Association of Alberta, issued the following statement in response to the Government of Alberta's Bill 55: The Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2025 which makes amendments allowing the Minister of Health to designate new operators for "approved" public hospitals, including corporations:  

“It’s clear that Bill 55 opens the door to full privatization of Alberta’s hospital infrastructure, and that is deeply concerning. As the Union representing 30,000 frontline health professionals in those hospitals, our members recognize this as the government’s next attempt to sell off parts of the health care system they believe can be used to generate profit.

“The government has tried this before. The failed privatization of lab services through DynaLIFE cost taxpayers over $100 million dollars and delayed diagnoses for tens of thousands of people. Our members fought to bring lab services back into the public system. The Premier responded by saying the change was only ‘for now.’

“Now, with Bill 55, we are seeing a plan that allows private corporations to operate hospitals and deliver public health services. We are asking what services could be next. Is lab testing back on the table? Diagnostic imaging? Physical therapy? We are hearing reports that Organ and Tissue Donation, Cancer Care, and EMS are under consideration for outsourcing to private companies.

“Another major concern is the transfer of Public Health Inspectors from Alberta Health Services to the direct control of the Ministry of Health. These professionals respond to outbreaks like the 2023 E. coli scare in daycares and the recent rise in measles cases. There are already not enough of these critical staff to meet current demand. Bill 55 changes who controls these inspectors but does nothing to improve or expand their capacity to protect public health.

“The government has done zero consultation with frontline staff. They’ve broken trust with both the public and with health care professionals. The Legislature must not allow this bill to pass.”

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Media Inquiries:  
Matt Dykstra, Communications Officer  
780 224 9202 | mdykstra@hsaa.ca