The Saskatchewan NDP says multiple comments and actions by Premier Scott Moe show an intent to increasingly privatize the province’s health-care system.
During a year-end interview in December with Rebel News, Moe said access to health care is the biggest issue facing the province in 2026.
He said to improve timely care, the province is hiring more and over the next few months there will be “a very open discussion (you’re seeing some of that recently in Alberta as well), but a very open discussion about how to deliver health care in a very innovative way.”
NDP Opposition Leader Carla Beck said with the introduction of Bill 11, it is “pretty clear” that Alberta intends to allow the establishment of private health insurance and a two-tier health care system.
“Maybe Scott Moe lacked the courage to use the word privatization, but that’s exactly what he’s talking about here,” Beck said.
“If you want to have an open debate, have the courage to go back to the legislature. Let them say exactly what they plan to do on privatization.”
Beck said the province’s handling of the health system raises the question of whether “they are dismantling public health care to make way for stealth privatization.”
Alberta Bill 11 creates a “dual practice” model in that province, allowing doctors to bill under the public system and bill patients directly for “out-of-plan services.”
It changes Alberta’s Health Care Insurance Act to “allow Alberta employers to offer their employees access to private health services from a doctor through their health plans,” according to the province’s website.
Saskatchewan NDP health critic Meara Conway said allowing private insurers to get a foothold in health care should be concerning for all Canadians. Moe’s comments to Rebel News come in the wake of his refusal to commit to not following Alberta’s lead during the last session of the provincial legislature, he said.
On Dec. 2, Saskatoon Fairview MP Vicki Mowat asked the premier if he would commit “to no longer privatize health care like Danielle Smith.”
Moe said the province will use all tools, “support all initiatives” that will improve health care services and address surgical wait times.
“Part of them will be private but publicly funded surgeries to reduce our waiting list and provide access to those operating rooms more quickly,” he said.
The province will adopt “innovative approaches”
In response to criticism of Moe’s Rebel News interview, the province said in a statement that the NDP “can try to frame this however they want, but the fact is that our government will continue to look for innovative approaches to ensure Saskatchewan families can access high-quality health care close to home.
“That includes the provision of some publicly funded and privately provided health services,” the statement said.
The NDP says new ideas are needed in health care, “but rejects new ideas,” the government statement added.
Conway said there is “no shortage of solutions” to fix the existing system.
The opposition began a consultation process at the provincial level in September.
Conway said that while the NDP is not yet ready to release the results of that consultation, after meeting with “hundreds” of health care providers and patients, “none” have said more privatization is needed.
