HSAA Board supports Alberta remaining in Canada

Canada’s universal public health-care system is one of our country’s greatest achievements. It reflects a simple but powerful belief: everyone deserves access to care based on need, not their ability to pay. 

By encouraging Albertans to vote to remain in Canada in the October 19 provincial referendum question, we can protect the future of health care in our province. As such, the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) Board of Directors voted unanimously to support Alberta remaining a province of Canada at a June 18 meeting.

As the representative voice for more than 30,000 health-care professionals across Alberta, we believe that a strong public health-care system depends on keeping the shared commitment to caring for one another through Medicare.

“Canada’s universal health-care system is something generations have worked hard to create,” said President Leanne Alfaro. “We must protect it and continue to make it better. Together, we can build a strong health-care system in Alberta within a strong Canada.”

As Alberta prepares to vote this fall, the Board believes that remaining in Canada is the best way to support the values that form the foundation of Canada's publicly funded health-care system, including equitable access to care under the Canada Health Act, national health standards, health-care funding, specialized services, research, disease monitoring and prevention, and the ability of professionals to work together across provinces in support of patients.

This Canada Day, we celebrate the health-care professionals who care for Albertans every day and the shared Canadian values that make health care possible.