Exclusive - Former Medicine Hat police inspector / Current MP calls cops on constituents
Full Disclosure - Kelly Allard is co-chair of the Palliser Friends of Medicare Chapter. She did not play any part in organizing this protest and was there only as a journalist.
About 60 people gathered at noon on 13th Avenue SE outside the office of Medicine Hat MP Glen Motz on Tuesday as part of a nationwide day of action. The Medicine Hat protest was organized by Palliser Friends of Medicare and the Medicine Hat and District Labour Council.
The demonstration was part of a cross-Canada event where health coalitions and allies held rallies to speak out against Alberta's Bill 11. The legislation is set to take effect on September 1 and will allow private clinics to perform surgeries using public funding.
MP stays inside, Refused to meet with protesters
The Owl went inside Motz's office before speaking with the protesters outside. When The Owl asked Motz if he planned to go outside and talk to them, he said no. When asked for a comment, he declined to give one.
Motz told The Owl that healthcare is a provincial matter.
When asked if he is supposed to represent his constituents to the federal government, he said yes. He said he will be talking with Marjorie (Michel, the federal health minister) about the issue.
Motz did not specify what he would say to Michel.
When asked if he had an opinion on two-tier healthcare, Motz said he does but declined to share it.
During our conversation, Motz asked if he was being recorded. He said if he was recording the reporter, he would let them know.
The Owl told Motz that Canada is a one-party consent state (meaning it is legal to record a conversation without telling the other person).
Motz said he knows that but called it a matter of respect.
Photo - Kelly Allard, Owl News
Outside the office the protesters stood on the busy street waving signs and Canadian flags, chanting at the passersby.
Supportive honks and waves outnumbered the rude gestures.
They were also giving out lawn signs that said "Stay in Canada, No to the Nine." (This is a reference to the nine questions on the upcoming referendum.)
Constituents March to MP's office
The protesters had hoped that their MP, their representative in Ottawa, would come out and speak with them, his constituents.
When he did not, about half of the protesters walked up three flights of stairs to Motz's office on the top floor.
They packed into the small foyer outside his office door and chanted 'no two-tier healthcare,' with others spilling out into the hallway.
The office called the police on the protesters, they left peacefully.
The Owl was at the scene for about 10 minutes after learning that police had been called.
No officers arrived during that time.
Next Protest
A province wide day of protest called October 17 Fight Back Medicine Hat Protest & Information Fair is scheduled for
Saturday October 17 2026
11am-1pm.
Beside the College Avenue Overpass.
What is Bill 11?
Bill 11 is a new provincial law that allows private surgical facilities to perform publicly funded surgeries. Currently, most surgeries in Alberta happen in public hospitals. Under Bill 11, the government can contract with private clinics to do certain operations using the same public health dollars.
Supporters say this will help reduce long wait times by adding more operating rooms. However, critics are concerned it will create a two-tier system where people who can afford to pay extra get faster or better care, while everyone else waits longer in the public system. They also worry it will pull doctors and nurses away from public hospitals, making staffing problems worse.
