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The recently introduced Bill 11 in Alberta has sparked intense debate about the future of universal health care in Canada.

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Many argue that expanding private-pay services and allowing dual billing for physicians will erode public access and create a two-tier system of care — one for the wealthy and one for everyone else. In such a system, money buys faster access, while those without means wait longer or go without. This vision stands in stark contrast to the Canadian values of equity and justice.

However, access is already a significant problem in health care in Canada. Canadians wait months — or even years — for medically necessary care. According to the 2025 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) world health report, 50 per cent of Canadians are dissatisfied with access to health services in the country.

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