Series: Medicare, from the dream to the current struggle

This series traces the movement for Canadian Medicare from early days of organizing in the prairies to some of the key provincial struggles going on across the country today. 

Part 1, How everyday people built Canada’s Medicare, looks at ten key moments that led to the establishment of the Canada Health Act, the Canadian law that guarantees access to health care is based on need and not the ability to pay. 

Part 2, The legal battles of Medicare, examines four key moments where legislation and court cases, including BC Health Coalition's own involvement in the Cambie Case, became focal points for public debates around the place of profit in health. 

Part 3, The unfinished project of Medicare, recalls Tommy Douglas and his vision for building a new health care system, more focused on social services, prevention, and the social determinants of health. 

Part 4, Advocates across the country, offers a snapshot of current public health care related struggles in the context of a national conversation. 

Together, this series reminds us that universal public health care is a gift from previous and current generations of health care advocates. It's a contested project that cannot be taken for granted. Let's pass it on to future generations. 

Series written by Audrey Guay, BC Health Coalition Lead Organizer. 

Photo by Tian Qio, taken on May 28, 2026 at March & Rally Against Ford's Hospital Privatization.