CTV Edmonton

Jessica Earle, ctvedmonton.ca

Just days after provincial authorities passed the Alberta Health Act, Friends of Medicare and its supporters mounted a protest, arguing Bill 17 opens the door to two-tier private services.

The demonstration, which attracted an estimated 300 people, took place on the front steps of the Legislature Saturday afternoon.

According to event organizers, two leaked documents – "Legislation Moving Forward" and "Alberta's Five Year Action Plan" – jeopardize health laws by consolidating five core health acts. Friends of Medicare suggests this leaves people vulnerable to extra billing, private insurance and delisting.

"We saw lots of disastrous things happen in these last couple of weeks," said David Eggen, the organization's executive director.

"We knew that Bill 17 was designed as enabling legislation to go after the real laws that actually protect our public system…It's a charter without teeth and an advocate without any power."

MP Ujjal Dosanjh, a former Federal Health Minister, attended the demonstration and told the crowd that "health care… across the country is under attack."

The Liberal politician believes the new provincial legislation could set a precedent for the rest of the country.

"The push on double dipping and private health insurance in Alberta, if those two converge, we will have the end of public health care in Canada," he argued.

Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky released a statement Saturday, assuring the new bill is not a step towards a two-tier system.

"Let me be clear: there is no ‘agenda' to privatize Alberta's health system," an excerpt reads.

"The new Alberta Health Act makes no changes to our existing provincial health care legislation. Our government has committed to do exactly what Albertans asked, and that is to consult with them if, and when, we want to consider any changes to existing health care legislation."

Zwozdesky goes on to describe the new health care plan as "the most comprehensive and ambitious" of its kind in Canada, allowing for "better access, shorter wait times and safe, quality care."

With Files from Laura Tupper