FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 4, 2025
Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council Chiefs Strongly Oppose Alberta’s Bill 11 and Privatized Surgical Delivery, Citing Impacts on Treaty Health Rights and Rural Access
ATIKAMEG, AB – The Chiefs of the Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council (KTC) strongly oppose Alberta’s Bill 11: Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2025 (No. 2), which introduces amendments to the Alberta Health Care Insurance Act permitting physicians to deliver privately funded surgical procedures outside the public health care system. KTC represents the First Nations of Loon River, Peerless Trout, Whitefish Lake, Woodland Cree, and the Lubicon Lake Band.
The Chiefs assert that this legislation threatens the constitutionally recognized Treaty Right to Health and will deepen the already severe inequities faced by First Nations in northern and remote communities.
Privatization Will Worsen Inequities in the North
KTC First Nations continue to endure chronic physician shortages, limited access to specialists, significant travel barriers, and some of the longest wait times in Alberta. The Chiefs warn that privatizing surgeries will divert scarce medical professionals into private clinics, leaving public systems even more strained.
“Our communities are already struggling to access basic primary care,” said Grand Chief Gilbert Okemow. “Privatizing surgeries will not solve the physician shortage, it will make it worse. When physicians move into private practice, our members are left behind yet again.”
Treaty Right to Health Must Be Respected
Health is a fundamental Treaty promise. The Chiefs emphasize that policy changes affecting access, funding, or availability of health services must uphold Treaty obligations.
“Our people already face barriers that most Albertans never experience,” said Chief Ivan Sawan, Loon River First Nation. “These barriers are the result of long-standing inequities. Bill 11 ignores that reality and pushes us further to the margins.”
The Chiefs of KTC are calling upcoming the Government of Alberta to:
- Pause implementation of the privatized surgical provisions within Bill 11 until meaningful consultation with KTC First Nations has taken place.
- Collaborate with KTC Nations to develop strategies that strengthen physician access, specialist availability, and equitable health care delivery in northern and rural communities.
- Ensure all changes respect and uphold Treaty obligations.
“Our Nations must be at the table for any discussion that touches our Treaty Right to Health,” said Grand Chief Gilbert Okemow. “We are ready to work with the province, but decisions cannot be made for us. They must be made with us.”
________________________
Grand Chief Gilbert Okemow
Media Contact:
Scott Hickling
Chief Executive Officer, Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council
Email: CEO@ktcadmin.ca
