Leaked plan to increase physician work flexibility in Alberta a victory for patients, says MEI

• Evidence from Denmark shows mixed practice did not reduce hours worked in public hospitals, and increased overall time dedicated to treatment.

Montreal, November 18, 2025 – The Alberta government’s leaked plan to allow doctors to work in both the public and private health systems would be a win for patients struggling to access care, lauds the MEI.

“It is well-documented that in countries where doctors have the option of practising in both the public and the private sectors, patients have better access,” says Emmanuelle B. Faubert, economist at the MEI. “The Alberta government’s draft proposal is welcome news for patients who have struggled to get treatment within the government monopoly system.”

News broke earlier today of a leaked draft of the Smith government’s plan to adopt a new hybrid model allowing doctors to work simultaneously in the public and private sectors.

Under existing rules, working privately means forfeiting the opportunity to help out in the public healthcare system, effectively forcing doctors to choose one or the other.

If the draft becomes legislation, “flexibly-participating physicians” will be given the discretion to provide services for a fee and also under the public model, without having to notify the government in advance.

“The Danish model is a success that should and is being replicated,” notes Ms. Faubert. “Alberta is taking inspiration from European countries that once faced similar obstructions to access and decided they were going to open the system up to mixed practice.”

The researcher points out that authorizing mixed practice, as Denmark does, is a better way to ensure timely access to care.

In Denmark, no significant differences were recorded in the number of hours worked in public hospitals between flexibly-participating physicians and those who worked exclusively in the public system, according to a study.

The same study shows that doctors in mixed practice add some hours in the private sector, without reducing their commitment to the public system.

In the Commonwealth Fund ranking on access to care, Canada comes in seventh out of the 10 countries studied.

Each of the six countries ahead of Canada in the ranking have universal health care, while also allowing fully private medical practice.

“The Alberta government understands that universal and government-run are not synonymous,” says Ms. Faubert. “Successes abroad demonstrate this, and we are glad that Alberta is prepared to take an evidence-based approach to addressing the chronic wait times facing patients.”

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The MEI is an independent public policy think tank with offices in Montreal, Ottawa, and Calgary. Through its publications, media appearances, and advisory services to policymakers, the MEI stimulates public policy debate and reforms based on sound economics and entrepreneurship.

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