Issue 50 – 25, May 11, 2025
Opposition to Bill 55: Protecting Public Health Care in Alberta
The Congress of Union Retirees of Canada stands in solidarity with Albertans who value their public health care system. We oppose Bill 55 because it risks opening the door to privatization and the erosion of the universal access that Canadians cherish. We call on the Alberta government to prioritize protecting and strengthening public health care rather than pursuing legislation that could fragment and weaken it.
Many organizations are in opposition, argue that Bill 55 opens the door to privatization and undermines the core principles of publicly funded health care. The Alberta NDP, Friends of Medicare, the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE), United Nurses of Alberta (UNA) and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) have voiced serious concerns.
Sarah Hoffman, NDP Shadow Minister for Health, warns that the bill could allow private interests to take control of hospitals and charge patients additional fees. She points out that, historically, similar policies have led to increased privatization, which can erode the quality and accessibility of care.
Organizations like Friends of Medicare and AUPE argue that Bill 55 is a stealth move toward privatization, cloaked within technical amendments. They contend that the legislation could facilitate the transfer of public hospital infrastructure to private, for-profit entities—despite government assertions to the contrary.
The concerns raised by health unions, advocacy groups, and opposition politicians are rooted in a desire to protect Alberta’s publicly funded health care system, which has served as a cornerstone of Canadian values for decades. Privatization efforts threaten to undermine the universal access that Albertans rely on, especially for vulnerable populations who might find private care unaffordable or inaccessible.
History and experience demonstrate that pushing for privatization often leads to increased costs, uneven quality of care, and a two-tier system where wealthier individuals receive faster or better service. Ensuring that health care remains a universal, publicly funded service is essential for maintaining fairness, equity, and quality in health care delivery.
We call on the Alberta government to focus on strengthening public health care instead of passing laws that might divide and weaken it.
Read more - Alberta Bill 55 raises questions from health-care advocates
The Moose Hide Campaign, May 15th, 2025
The Moose Hide Campaign, launched in 2011 by Paul and Raven Lacerte along British Columbia’s Highway of Tears, is a grassroots Indigenous-led movement aimed at ending gender-based violence. It encourages men, boys, and all Canadians to act by participating in activities like wearing a moose hide pin, joining ceremonies and fasting, attending virtual workshops, and organizing community events on Moose Hide Campaign Day, which is on May 15, 2025.
The campaign emphasizes respect, honor, and protection for women and children, drawing on Indigenous traditions and cultural values. The moose hide pin has become a symbol of commitment to ending violence and supporting reconciliation efforts, with over five million distributed across Canada. The initiative promotes awareness, cultural sensitivity, anti-racism, and healthy masculinity, engaging diverse communities and organizations in creating safer, violence-free spaces. Participation is free, and activities can be registered through the official website.
Read more - The Moose Hide Campaign - Moose Hide Campaign
Will Corporate Canada dominate the Cabinet?
The upcoming Canadian cabinet under Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to be a smaller, more streamlined, and business-oriented team aimed at signaling significant change from the previous Trudeau administration. The swearing-in ceremony will take place at Rideau Hall, with plans to include a core group of senior ministers and a secondary tier of ministers of state, potentially allowing for a more flexible and efficient government structure.
Anticipated to be smaller than Trudeau's last cabinet, with around 24 ministers initially, possibly expanding or restructuring into a tiered system with ministers of state serving in auxiliary roles.
The cabinet may feature a mix of experienced veterans and new faces from across all regions of Canada, including notable election candidates such as Gregor Robertson, Carlos Leitão, and Nathalie Provost. Other notable Liberals to watch include Jill McKnight, former head of the Delta Chamber of Commerce in B.C, Tim Hodgson, elected in the Ontario riding of Markham—Thornhill, was CEO of Goldman Sachs Canada when Carney worked there and was an adviser to Carney when he was governor of the Bank of Canada. The government aims for gender parity, maintaining diversity and representation from various provinces and territories.
The cabinet will emphasize a business-minded approach, with a focus on economic issues, trade turbulence, and regional representation. Some senior figures from Trudeau’s government, like Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, may be retained due to their expertise and relationships, although balancing experience with fresh perspectives is a priority.
The government is considering reinstating minister of state roles to include more individuals without significantly enlarging the core cabinet, thus balancing inclusivity with efficiency.
The cabinet is designed to distinguish Carney's government from Trudeau's, with an emphasis on change, regional diversity, and gender parity, reflecting a strategic shift towards a more pragmatic, business-oriented governance style.
Note: CURC sent a letter to Prime Minister Carney regarding our encouragement to have a Minister identified for Seniors.
CURC 15th Constitutional Convention
The Fifteenth Convention of the Congress of Union Retirees of Canada will take place at the Pan Pacific Toronto, 900 York Mills Rd, Toronto, the convention will be held June 17th, to June 19, 2025. We are now counting down with only 6 weeks until the start of the convention, this will be the last week (May 15th) for the opportunity to book your room at the rate of $174.00 including parking. Registration to be a delegate to the convention remains open until June 13, 2025.
Be a delegate, participate in building the union retirement movement forward. For more information about the convention please email curc@clcctc.ca .