Hon. Jason Kenney
Premier of Alberta
307 Legislature Building
10800 - 97 Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6
Hon. Tyler Shandro
Minister of Health
423 Legislature Building
10800 - 97 Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6
Re: Alberta Health Care for All
April 14, 2020
Dear Premier Kenny and Minister Shandro:
The COVID-19 pandemic has become a global public health emergency requiring the public to stay home in order to slow the possibility of transmission of the virus.
While Albertans are bracing for even more new confirmed Covid cases, we continue working together to beat this pandemic by following Alberta Health expertise. But there are still many residents without immigration status who are not covered for basic health care services.
These uninsured individuals include newly-landed permanent residents, temporary foreign workers who have lost status and work permits, and international students who are now in limbo. When people lose status and work permits, they cannot access free healthcare. This becomes a huge concern in the fight to defeat the spread of the virus because of these migrants’ fear of deportation if they try to access health services. Calgary family physician Dr. Jillian Ratti said “To deny healthcare to migrants is to cruelly devalue their lives during this unprecedented threat to human health and also to put the lives of other Canadians at risk. We believe that everyone, regardless of their immigration status, must have free access to health care in Alberta.
Consistent with the Provinces of Quebec, Ontario and BC, we urge the Government of Alberta to protect all Albertans by considering the following:
1) Free health care coverage for everyone regardless of status, which includes COVID assessment, care, and treatment.
2) All clinics, hospitals, and COVID assessment centres have a clear policy that all will be treated regardless of status without the barriers of registration fees and billing fees.
3) Create a general policy that includes removing barriers such as registration fees and bills, having a step-by-step process and a clear and explicit public messaging campaign in the access to health services that NO ONE is left behind.
Sincerely,
1. Dr. Jillian Ratti, Family Physician, Calgary
2. Dr. Mukararram Ali Zaidi, Family Physician, Calgary
3. Dr. Tehseen Ladha, MD, MPH, FRCPC, Pediatrics, Edmonton
4. Dr. Vera Caine PhD, RN, Nursing, Edmonton
5. Dr. Bukola Salami PhD, RN, Nursing, Edmonton
6. Dr. Shannon Scott, PhD, RN, Nursing, Edmonton
7. Jessica Salkeld, Emergency Medical Responder, Calgary
8. Dr. Ginetta Salvalaggio Md MSc CCFP, Family Physician, Edmonton
9. Prof. Vicki Strang, Nursing, Edmonton
10. Mariel Rodriguez Bellizia MSc, Neuroscientist, Lethbridge
11. Joud Nour Eddin MPH, Public Health Practitioner, Edmonton
12. Catherine Deschenes MD Candidate, 2021, Medicine, Edmonton
13. Mergim Binakaj MD Candidate, 2021, Medicine, Edmonton
14. Dr. Linda McConnan RN (retired), MN, Nursing, Edmonton
15. Eleanor Vicente LPN, Nursing, Edmonton
16. Prof. Keith King, BScN, MPH, RN, CPSO, Nursing, Edmonton
17. Jhong dela Cruz RPN, RN BScN, Nursing, Red Deer
18. Ameeta Singh Clinical Professor of Infectious Diseases, Edmonton
19. Maheer Khan MD Candidate 2021, Medicine, Edmonton
20. Dr. David Swann MD, Medicine, Calgary
21. Nellie Alcaraz, BA, BSW, MSW, RSW, Social Worker, Calgary
22. Dr. Kathrin Enstas, Gynaecologist, Calgary
23. Jessica Vergata, Addiction and Mental Health, Calgary
24. Cynthia Palmaria MRT, Radiation Therapist, Edmonton
25. Sofia Soriano, Dental Assistant
26. Benjamin, Healthcare Aid, Edmonton
27. Anna Waller, Manager Dental Services, Calgary
28. Dr. Mohammed Ali, General Practitioner, Calgary
29. Kristine Umnas LPN, Nursing, Edmonton
30. Dr. Andrew Estefan PhD, RPN, Psychiatric Nursing, Calgary
31. Dominique Denis-Lalonde BN RN, Nursing, Calgary
32. Genevieve Currie, Public Health Nurse, Calgary
33. Dr. Sonya Jakubec, PhD, RN Professor (Community Mental Health), Calgary
34. Alyse Andrews, RN, Nursing, Calgary
35. Dr. Aliyah Dosani Professor, School of Nursing and midwifery, Calgary
36. Sergio Campus, Primary care paramedic, Calgary
37. Heather MacLean, Nursing, Calgary
38. Jacqueline Noga, Public Health, Edmonton
39. Dr. Maggie Quance, Nursing, Calgary
40. Dr. Andrea Kennedy, RN PhD, Professor Nursing, Calgary
41. Dr. Carla Ginn PhD RN, Nursing, Calgary
42. Dr. Tracy L. Powell MN, PhD(c) Associate, Professor Nursing, Calgary
43. Reanne Booker, MN BScN NP Oncology and palliative care nurse practitioner, Calgary
44. Sandra Gordon Associate Professor, Gerontological Nursing, Calgary
45. Dr. Aniela dela Cruz, Nursing, Calgary
46. Sydney Farkas RN MN CON(c), Nursing, Calgary
47. Dr. Olive Fast Associate Professor, Nursing, Calgary
48. Dr. Liza Lorenzetti PhD, Social Work, Calgary
49. Venus Velasco RN, Nursing, Calgary
50. Sandra Azocar Executive Director - Friends of Medicare, Edmonton
51. Manaoag Razote LPN, Nursing, Calgary
52. Faith Antona RN, Nursing, Calgary
53. Dr. Christine Gibson MD FCFP MMedEd, Family Physician, Calgary
54. Dr. GreggbTrueman PhD NP, Nurse Practitioner/Professor, Calgary
55. Gary Trueman-Klein, Social Worker, Calgary
56. Dr. Adele Duimering, Oncology, Edmonton
57. Jake Velasco RN, Nursing, Red Deer
58. Lorelyn Jerusalem RSW, Social Worker, Calgary
59. Aubrey Dela Cruz, Administrative Support, Red Deer
60. Michelle Frith BScN, Nursing, Red Deer
61. Richel Dela Cruz, Nursing, Red Deer
62. Divina dela Cruz, Medical Lab Assistant, Red Deer
63. Charyna Pico RN, Nursing, Red Deer
64. Mercy Espiritu McEachern RN, Nursing, Red Deer
65. Jacqueline Labios, Nursing, Lacombe
66. Rachelle Pacibe, Nursing, Red Deer
67. Vicente Martin Gatan RN MCD, Palliative Home Care, Calgary
68. Jean Gatan RN, Oncology, Calgary
69. Hamilet D. Dampulay BSW, Social Worker, Calgary
70. Ivonnie Abes RN, Nursing, Calgary
71. Dr. Helen Qian, Family Medicine, Calgary
72. Laila Bellony, Crisis Worker, Edmonton
73. Daniel Grover, RN, BN, BSc., Nursing, Calgary
74. Patty Wilson, Nurse Practitioner, Calgary
75. Oline Okholm, Physiotherapy, Edmonton
76. Daisy Webster, Nursing, Red Deer
77. Dr. Meera Grover, Family Medicine, Calgary
78. Heather Bensler RN MSN Director of International and Global Health, Calgary
79. Erin Jewell RN, Nursing, Calgary
80. Andrea Villareal, Nursing, Red Deer
81. Melanie Murdoch RN PICU, Nursing, Calgary
82. Dr. Giselle Devetten, Physician, Calgary
83. Dr. Michael Aucoin, Family Doctor, Calgary
84. Dr. Jean Mateo, Family Doctor, Calgary
85. Dr. Andrea Hull, Family Doctor, Calgary
86. Maria Chriselda Billete, HCA, Calgary
87. Dr. Suzanne Walsh, Family Physician, Calgary
89. Michelle Webb RN, Nursing, Calgary
90. Mandy Karr, Nurse Practitioner, Calgary
91. Reanna Teske, RN, Mental Health Outreach, Calgary
92. Krizia Carlos RN, Nursing, Calgary
93. Amanda Brophy, Nursing, Edmonton
94. Angela Franck, Nursing, Edmonton
95. Ibrahim AlMasri MD, MSC Candidate 2021 Medicine, Calgary
96. Heather Deans, Nurse Practitioner, Calgary
97. Crystal Johanson RN, Nursing, Calgary
98. Caitlin Brook RN, Nursing, Calgary
99. Cherri Lowhorn, Social Worker, Calgary
100. Amanda Loates RN, Nursing, Calgary
101. Ravneet Turna RN, Nursing, Red Deer
102. Christina Chavez, Nursing, Calgary
103, Emilisa Guanzo RN, Nursing, Calgary
104. Kathleen Charlong RN, Obstetrics, Calgary
105. Rodelyn Manuba RN, Nursing, Calgary
106. Eileen Castillo RN, Nursing, Calgary
107. Jannette Maddela LPN, Nursing, Calgary
108. Nancy Burton LPN, Nursing, Calgary
109. Keneline Villar RN, Nursing, Calgary
110. Chrisel Pacis RN, Nursing, Calgary
112. Stephanie Ovens, Social Worker, Calgary
113. Kulwinder Datewas LPN, Nursing, Calgary
114. Paul Cunanan LPN, Nursing, Calgary
115. Sarah Galbraith OW, Harm Reduction, Calgary
116. Shaneeza Sinclair BScN, RN, Nursing, Red Deer
117. Dulce Andal LPN, Nursing, Red Deer
118. Eric Howey MSW, RSW, Social Worker, Cochrane
119. Rowenamer Lapidante RN, Nursing, Red Deer
120. Dr. David Klassen Public Health & Preventive Medicine + Family Medicine, Calgary
121. Sarah Jobe, Social worker, Calgary
122. Dr. Ilyan Ferrer PhD, Assistant professor, Calgary
123. Konrad Chan RPh. Pharmacist, Calgary
124. Dr. Denise L. Spitzer, Professor, School of Public Health
125. Rachel Johnson RN, Nursing, Edmonton
126. Ganna Zakharova, Social Work, Calgary
127. Janine Hubert, RN, Nursing, Calgary
128. Yessy Byl, Retired, Edmonton
129. Merryn Edwards, Union Representative, Edmonton
130. Melvee X, Artist, Calgary
131. Jay Zapata, Community Organizer, Calgary
132. Astrid Velasquez, Manager-Immigration and Settlement, Edmonton
133. John Wodak, Retired, Sherwood Park
134. Robert Wilde, Co-Chair Edmonton Chapter, Council of Canadians, Edmonton
135. Cynthia June Lazarenko, Retired, Edmonton
136. Jacqueline Aquines, Consultant, Calgary
137. Emelie Balagot, Cook, Calgary
138. Lito, Media, Edmonton
139. Barhet Woldemariam, Director of Programs and Services, Edmonton
140. Dr. Anna (Anne) Gagnon, Retired Historian, Beaumont
141. Faraz Bawa, Immigration Lawyer, Calgary
142. Renee Vaugeois, Human Rights, Edmonton
143. Dr. Jemma Li, Medicine, Calgary
144. Don Bouzek, Digital Media Producer, Edmonton
145. Adebayo Katiiti, Founder /Executive Director Raricanow , Edmonton
146. Sonia Aujla-Bhullar, PhD Candidate, Educator, Calgary
147. Danilo De Leon, TFW, Edmonton
148. Cathy Wintle, Edmonton
149. Carolyn Grogan, Lawyer, Edmonton
150. Dr. Melchor Ace Casiano, Chiropractor, Edmonton
151. Phuong Phan, Radiation Therapist, Edmonton
152. Allison Prime, Social Worker, Calgary
153. Elizabeth Van Den Kerkhof, Nursing, Calgary
154. Rose-Eva Forgues-Jenkins, Anti-racism researcher, Edmonton
155. Qianyun Wang, Social Worker, Calgary
156. Cindy Wilde, Teacher, Cochrane
157. Maria Aurora Gan, TIES Instructor, Calgary
158. Dr. Stasha Huntingford, Care, Calgary
159. Dianne Schwab RN, Retired, Calgary
160. Emma Jackson, Community Organizer, Edmonton
161. Dr Jazmin Marlinga, Family Physician, Calgary
162. Brisa Gonzalez, Post Secondary Student, Calgary
163. Felicitas Garcia, Healthcare Aide, Edmonton
164. Novie, Sambat, Settlement Counsellor, Edmonton
165. Tim J Penton, Labour Rep, Edmonton
166. David Truscott, Journalist , Fort Saskatchewan
167. Shafir Walji, Youth Work, Sherwood Park
168. Dago Correa, Retired, Calgary
169. Donna Coombs-Montrose, Archivist, Retired, Edmonton
170. Joel Tamana Disu CRW2, Caregiver, Fort Saskatchewan
171. Bill Cook, Retired, Sherwood Park
172. Greg Mady, President, Edmonton & District Labour Council, Edmonton
173. Kate Jacobson, Union Organizer, Calgary
174. Anne Packer, Edmonton
175. Yvonne Schmitz, Social Worker, Calgary
176. Sandra, Technologist, Edmonton
177. Dr. Sue Reid, Physician, Edmonton
178. Veronica Chirino, Masters in Social Work Student, Calgary
179. Greyson Mannella, Student, Calgary
180. Leah Van Loon, Creative Director, Calgary
181. Tylar LeBlanc, Primary Care Paramedic, Edmonton
182. Michael Maher, Flight Attendant Calgary
183. Wendy Joudrey, Retired, Red Deer
184. Leanne Wong, Social Worker in Training, Calgary
185. Vanesa Ortiz, Teacher, Cochrane
186. Dayna Sherstobitoff, Calgary
187. Tyler L Ogilvie, Consultant, Calgary
188. Kevan Hunter, Teacher, Calgary
189. Jessica McCarrel, Cafe Owner, Calgary
190. Dr. Leonor Rodríguez, Education Coordinator, Calgary
191. Sheryle Carlson, Unemployed, Edmonton
192. Jolo Bitancor, Student, Edmonton
193. Mav Adecer, Freelancer, Edmonton
194. Erin Kelly, Community Engagement, Edmomton
195. Linda Mary McFarlane, Retired Social Worker, Calgary
196. Nova Porquia, HCA, Red Deer
197. Peggy Morton, Reitired Heathcare worker, Edmonton
198. Sarah Wood, Social Worker, Okotoks
199. Lyla Luciano, Student, Edmonton
200. Dr. Mary Valentich, Professor Emerita, Calgary
201. Cesar Cala, Community development practitioner, Calgary
202. Karol Cheetham, Clinical Researcher, Calgary
203. Edwin Chavez, Community Worker, Calgary
204. Marian Donly MSW, Unemployed: Gerontology, Calgary
205. MJ Gariano, Director, Disability - Group Home, Edmonton
206. Lisa McKay, Social Worker, Calgary
207. Olive Thorne, Retired, Edmonton
208. Baldwin P. Reichwein, Retired Edmonton
209. Caroline Maloney, Retired Teacher, Drumheller
210. Deborah Dean, Retired, Calgary
211. Cathy Wintle, Retired, Edmonton
212. Dr. Al Kalantar, Retired, Edmonton
213. Dr. Don Mayne, Retired, Edmonton
214. Albert Rotea, Student, Edmonton
215. Brad Jones, Mc Donalds Crew, Edmonton
216. Tia Kane, Student, Calgary
217. Joanne Peterson, Music Teacher, Stony Plain
218. Gwen Potts, Retired, Edmonton
219. Ranya El-Sharkawi, Student, Edmonton
220. Jim Saltvold, Engineer Retired, Red Deer
221. Michelle Anderson, BSc, MD Candidate 2021, Edmonton
222. Cindy Jiaxin Xue, MD Candidate 2021, Edmonton
223. Preksha, Student, Edmonton
224. Clarizze Truscott, Business Owner, Fort Saskatchewan
225. Dr. Lucenia Ortiz, Planner, Edmonton
226. Carroll Christoffersen, Library Technician, Highriver
227. Colin Chubachi, Communications, Calgary
228. Nichola Hildebrand, Support services for individuals with disabilities, Edmonton
229. Rebecca Dextraze, Student, Student, Edmonton
230. Ruby Grove, Self Employed, Fort Saskatechewan
231. Nicole Uhlick, Nursing, Edmonton
232. Heather Walker, Retired, Calgary
233. Graham Strauss, Children and Youth Settlement Services, Edmonton
234. Taryn Haluza-Delay, Student, Edmonton
235. Derek Horneland, Teacher, Edmonton
236. Chris Murphy, Business Analyst, Edmonton
237. Dane Woychuk, Disability Rights Advocate, Willington
238. Michelle Belanger RN, GNC(c), Nursing - Specialized Geriatrics, Edmonton
239. Petra Schulz, Instructor, Edmonton
240. Westley Johanson, Computer Systems Analyst, Calgary
241. Rebecca Labrande, SAHM, Calgary
242. Colette Lebeuf, Retired, Edmonton
243. Matthew Miller, Non-profit, Calgary
244. Eylem Sesen, Student, Calgary
245. Prof. Laurie Adkin, Social Scientist, University of Alberta, Edmonton
246. Rosali Chavez, Unemployed, Calgary
247. Dr Rebecca McCourt, Resident Madicine, Edmonton
248. Carla Hilario PhD RN, Nursing, Edmonton
249. Pallavi Mehan, Social Worker, Edmonton
250. Yanit Terefe, Registered Nurse, Edmonton
251. Adora Nwofor, Anti Racism Educator, Edmonton
252. Susan, Communications Coordinator, Edmonton
253. Joanne McHugh, Teacher/Councellor, Edmonton
254. Batul Gulamhusein, Student, Edmonton
255. Gerry Morita, Director, Edmonton
256. Doreen Upshaw, Career Coach , Calgary
257. Sergio Olivares, Media Professional, Edmonton
258. Jennifer Solem, Calgary
259. Maria Amor Bonaobra, Counter Attendant, Edmonton
260. Rector Bonaobra, Electrician, Edmonton
261. Megan lukasewich Policy, Edmonton
262. Sadaf Ekhlas, Public health practicioner/MPH Candidate 2020, Edmonton
263. Alexandre Da Costa, Professor, Edmonton
264. Michelle Robinson, Community Organizer, Calgary
265. Dr. Michael Truscello, Professor, Cochrane
266. Brynn Kosteniuk, MSc. Candidate, Edmonton
267. Deanna Neri, Student, Edmonton
268. Pritpal Singh, Lab Assistant U of A Hospital
269. Charlene Ball, Intercultural & Inclusion Consultant, Edmonton
270. Ricah Bitancor, ECE, Red Deer
271. Lowell Bitancor, Engineer, Red Deer
272. Adel Miranda, Red Deer
273. Rob Long, Social Worker, Edmonton
275. Alison, Lawyer, Edmonton
276. Cherie Island, Health Research - Administration, Edmonton
277. Luisa Franco Rivera, Calgary
278. Johanna Molina, Admin, Edmonton
279. Audrina Lim, Project Manager, Calgary
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