CCPA — Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
@policyalternatives.ca
The CCPA is Canada's leading progressive policy research institute. We offer independent, non-partisan research on social, economic & climate justice.
www.policyalternatives.ca
Instagram & FB: policyalternatives
www.policyalternatives.ca
Instagram & FB: policyalternatives
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Welcome new followers! We're so glad you're here with us! (And a special welcome to followers of the CCPA Ontario account, which has now merged with this one!) Also, thank you to the many people who have included the CCPA in their Starter Packs.
Here's ours go.bsky.app/TYuVu7X
Here's ours go.bsky.app/TYuVu7X
ICYMI @davidmaccdn.bsky.social offered his analysis on the GST rebate, which will lift 170 thousand Canadians above the poverty line. "...[it] will have a measurable impact... And the provinces can do their part, offering a rebate on provincial sales taxes." www.cpac.ca/primetime-po...
Liberals and Conservatives Cooperate on GST Rebate – February 4, 2026
David Macdonald, senior economist at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives talks about the practical impact of the GST rebate and top-up on Canadians. Toronto Star Queen's park Bureau Chief Robe...
www.cpac.ca
February 5, 2026 at 5:29 PM
ICYMI @davidmaccdn.bsky.social offered his analysis on the GST rebate, which will lift 170 thousand Canadians above the poverty line. "...[it] will have a measurable impact... And the provinces can do their part, offering a rebate on provincial sales taxes." www.cpac.ca/primetime-po...
"The Manitoba government’s efforts to phase out for-profit staffing agencies is the right move. For-profit staffing agencies create a cycle of parasitic dependence by hollowing out the public sector workforce." @alonghurst.bsky.social @policyalternatives.ca #mbpoli healthydebate.ca/2026/02/topi...
Manitoba slashes private nursing agencies: The path forward or a policy stumble? - Healthy Debate
Last month, Manitoba took the bold step in cutting nearly all its private nursing agency contracts. Was it the right move? Experts weigh in.
healthydebate.ca
February 5, 2026 at 4:58 PM
"The Manitoba government’s efforts to phase out for-profit staffing agencies is the right move. For-profit staffing agencies create a cycle of parasitic dependence by hollowing out the public sector workforce." @alonghurst.bsky.social @policyalternatives.ca #mbpoli healthydebate.ca/2026/02/topi...
Alberta is “the first province to legislate two‑tier health care and private health insurance for medically necessary services,” warning it could mark “the end of Canadian medicare as we know it” if other provinces follow. @alonghurst.bsky.social @reecca.bsky.social www.hcamag.com/ca/specializ...
Alberta’s ‘two‑tier health‑care law’ should concern employers: report
Move could have implications for future benefit design, regional disparities in access to care and long‑term workforce health costs
www.hcamag.com
February 5, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Alberta is “the first province to legislate two‑tier health care and private health insurance for medically necessary services,” warning it could mark “the end of Canadian medicare as we know it” if other provinces follow. @alonghurst.bsky.social @reecca.bsky.social www.hcamag.com/ca/specializ...
Selon ce rapport publié mardi par le @ccpabc.bsky.social et l’Institut Parkland, le fait d'autoriser une double pratique des médecins ne serait ni plus ni moins qu’une reproduction du modèle américain de santé à deux vitesses. ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/222...
Un rapport fustige le projet de santé publique de l’Alberta
Le rapport estime que c'est un projet qui crée un système de santé à deux vitesses, « à l'américaine ».
ici.radio-canada.ca
February 5, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Selon ce rapport publié mardi par le @ccpabc.bsky.social et l’Institut Parkland, le fait d'autoriser une double pratique des médecins ne serait ni plus ni moins qu’une reproduction du modèle américain de santé à deux vitesses. ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/222...
In the report, researchers @alonghurst.bsky.social and @poliscirish.bsky.social say Bill 11 may violate the Canada Health Act, marking the beginning of U.S.-style health care in Canada #abpoli #cdnpoli calgary.citynews.ca/2026/02/04/a...
Alberta health-care bill puts Canadian health care at risk: report
Alberta's Bill 11 would not only bring a U.S.-style health care system, but it would also end Canada's healthcare system, a report says.
calgary.citynews.ca
February 5, 2026 at 4:54 PM
In the report, researchers @alonghurst.bsky.social and @poliscirish.bsky.social say Bill 11 may violate the Canada Health Act, marking the beginning of U.S.-style health care in Canada #abpoli #cdnpoli calgary.citynews.ca/2026/02/04/a...
Welcome to Senior Researcher @alonghurst.bsky.social, our new analyst heading up our recently created health policy desk!
Andrew Longhurst is a senior researcher and political economist, with a focus on health policy. His commentaries appear regularly in news media across the country.
Andrew Longhurst is a senior researcher and political economist, with a focus on health policy. His commentaries appear regularly in news media across the country.
February 5, 2026 at 3:37 PM
Welcome to Senior Researcher @alonghurst.bsky.social, our new analyst heading up our recently created health policy desk!
Andrew Longhurst is a senior researcher and political economist, with a focus on health policy. His commentaries appear regularly in news media across the country.
Andrew Longhurst is a senior researcher and political economist, with a focus on health policy. His commentaries appear regularly in news media across the country.
Reposted by CCPA — Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
My preliminary take on the new stats on federal job job cuts . Which depts and services could be hit hardest? There's plenty more analysis to come @policyalternatives.ca
February 5, 2026 at 3:25 PM
My preliminary take on the new stats on federal job job cuts . Which depts and services could be hit hardest? There's plenty more analysis to come @policyalternatives.ca
“The fact that we do live next to the largest private health care insurance market in the world, the largest private, for-profit health care provider market in the world, is reason to take these issues very seriously,” @alonghurst.bsky.social said. #cdnpoli
reddeeradvocate.com/2026/02/03/a...
reddeeradvocate.com/2026/02/03/a...
Alberta’s Bill 11 violates Canada’s Public Health Care Act, says new report - Red Deer Advocate
Alberta’s New Democrats launch health care emergency petition
reddeeradvocate.com
February 4, 2026 at 7:00 PM
“The fact that we do live next to the largest private health care insurance market in the world, the largest private, for-profit health care provider market in the world, is reason to take these issues very seriously,” @alonghurst.bsky.social said. #cdnpoli
reddeeradvocate.com/2026/02/03/a...
reddeeradvocate.com/2026/02/03/a...
"[This will create] Canada’s first private health-care insurance market for medically necessary physician + hospital services already covered under the Canada Health Act." The risk is that then US investor interest will take over in Canada. @alonghurst.bsky.social medicinehatnews.com/news/local-n...
Dual practice means two-tier health: critics - Medicine Hat News
[email protected] Experts say Bill 11, the Health Statutes Amendments Act, represents the foundations for the first two-tier health-care system in Canada. Although the province says it is dra...
medicinehatnews.com
February 4, 2026 at 6:58 PM
"[This will create] Canada’s first private health-care insurance market for medically necessary physician + hospital services already covered under the Canada Health Act." The risk is that then US investor interest will take over in Canada. @alonghurst.bsky.social medicinehatnews.com/news/local-n...
Don't miss this, next week! @policyalternatives.ca Senior Researcher focused on climate change, @hadrianmk.bsky.social, will be speaking. Details here: globeandmailevents.com/futureofauto...
February 4, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Don't miss this, next week! @policyalternatives.ca Senior Researcher focused on climate change, @hadrianmk.bsky.social, will be speaking. Details here: globeandmailevents.com/futureofauto...
“The more provinces that join Alberta, the greater the likelihood that it will lead to the dismantling of the Canada Health Act...This could end could end Canadian medicare as we know it.” #cdnpoli @alonghurst.bsky.social @poliscirish.bsky.social @policyalternatives.ca
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2026...
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2026...
How Alberta Plans to Kill Public Health Care Across Canada | The Tyee
A new law opens the door for two-tier care that would destroy medicare.
thetyee.ca
February 4, 2026 at 6:35 PM
“The more provinces that join Alberta, the greater the likelihood that it will lead to the dismantling of the Canada Health Act...This could end could end Canadian medicare as we know it.” #cdnpoli @alonghurst.bsky.social @poliscirish.bsky.social @policyalternatives.ca
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2026...
thetyee.ca/Opinion/2026...
“This is unlike what exists in any other part of the country...,” said @alonghurst.bsky.social.
“...it basically undermines the single-payer nature of public health care in Alberta, and it has huge ramifications for the rest of the country.” @policyalternatives.ca www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
“...it basically undermines the single-payer nature of public health care in Alberta, and it has huge ramifications for the rest of the country.” @policyalternatives.ca www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Alberta legislation could pave way for two-tiered health-care system, new report says | CBC News
A report that was jointly produced by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and the Parkland Institute finds Alberta's Bill 11 could pave the way for a two-tiered health-care system.
www.cbc.ca
February 4, 2026 at 6:30 PM
“This is unlike what exists in any other part of the country...,” said @alonghurst.bsky.social.
“...it basically undermines the single-payer nature of public health care in Alberta, and it has huge ramifications for the rest of the country.” @policyalternatives.ca www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
“...it basically undermines the single-payer nature of public health care in Alberta, and it has huge ramifications for the rest of the country.” @policyalternatives.ca www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by CCPA — Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
New research out today from @policyalternatives.ca on the groceries and essential benefit. Read the full details at www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
February 4, 2026 at 5:01 PM
New research out today from @policyalternatives.ca on the groceries and essential benefit. Read the full details at www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Reposted by CCPA — Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
Interesting to see that HALF of all econo activity in Canada is just gvts providing: health care, education, infrastructure, pensions. The other half is the private sector selling things. Cuts to govts are cuts to GDP growth...shocking ;) @policyalternatives.ca
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo...
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo...
The Daily — Public Sector Universe, 2024
Today, Statistics Canada is publishing the 2024 list of entities in the Public Sector Universe. This year's product presents public sector units from 2008 to 2024.
www150.statcan.gc.ca
November 21, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Interesting to see that HALF of all econo activity in Canada is just gvts providing: health care, education, infrastructure, pensions. The other half is the private sector selling things. Cuts to govts are cuts to GDP growth...shocking ;) @policyalternatives.ca
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo...
www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo...
Time-of-use electricity pricing is "a controversial item," noted @ccpamb.bsky.social senior researcher Naill Harney.
"It is ultimately one of the cheapest ways to expand grid capacity and manage electricity load for ratepayers in the
long term." www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews...
"It is ultimately one of the cheapest ways to expand grid capacity and manage electricity load for ratepayers in the
long term." www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews...
Hydro looking at incentives to reduce power usage as electricity shortage looms
Manitoba Hydro is eyeing incentive programs to lessen power usage during peak periods as it projects an electricity shortfall by 2030.
www.winnipegfreepress.com
February 4, 2026 at 4:57 PM
Time-of-use electricity pricing is "a controversial item," noted @ccpamb.bsky.social senior researcher Naill Harney.
"It is ultimately one of the cheapest ways to expand grid capacity and manage electricity load for ratepayers in the
long term." www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews...
"It is ultimately one of the cheapest ways to expand grid capacity and manage electricity load for ratepayers in the
long term." www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews...
ICYMI: The report by @alonghurst.bsky.social and @poliscirish.bsky.social, The End of Canadian Medicare? outlines in plain language 10 ways that without a sharp national response the blandly named act will undermine and likely destroy public health care in Canada. albertapolitics.ca/2026/02/albe...
Alberta’s two-tier health care bill is designed to kill public health care – a new report shows how - Alberta Politics
Despite its name, Alberta’s Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2025, is not health care legislation. The purpose of the law that was granted Royal Assent on Dec. 11 last year is to destroy public health ...
albertapolitics.ca
February 3, 2026 at 11:51 PM
ICYMI: The report by @alonghurst.bsky.social and @poliscirish.bsky.social, The End of Canadian Medicare? outlines in plain language 10 ways that without a sharp national response the blandly named act will undermine and likely destroy public health care in Canada. albertapolitics.ca/2026/02/albe...
Reposted by CCPA — Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
New report from me + @poliscirish.bsky.social
Bill 11 brings US-style two-tier health care system with a private health insurance market for care covered under the Canada Health Act
It appears that the insurance industry ITSELF has shaped the legislation
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Bill 11 brings US-style two-tier health care system with a private health insurance market for care covered under the Canada Health Act
It appears that the insurance industry ITSELF has shaped the legislation
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
February 3, 2026 at 6:49 PM
New report from me + @poliscirish.bsky.social
Bill 11 brings US-style two-tier health care system with a private health insurance market for care covered under the Canada Health Act
It appears that the insurance industry ITSELF has shaped the legislation
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Bill 11 brings US-style two-tier health care system with a private health insurance market for care covered under the Canada Health Act
It appears that the insurance industry ITSELF has shaped the legislation
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Beginning with kidnapping Venezuela's president, the United States has spent 2026 so far rampaging across the world. By Bruce Campbell @policyalternatives.ca
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
After Venezuela and Greenland, is Canada on the U.S. target list? - CCPA
Beginning with their kidnapping of Venezuela's president, the United States has spent 2026 so far rampaging across the world.
www.policyalternatives.ca
February 3, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Beginning with kidnapping Venezuela's president, the United States has spent 2026 so far rampaging across the world. By Bruce Campbell @policyalternatives.ca
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Alberta's Bill 11 puts Canadian medicare at risk. By @alonghurst.bsky.social #abpoli #cdnpoli www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
The end of Canadian medicare? Alberta legislation opens the door to U.S. health care - CCPA
Alberta’s two-tier health care legislation ends single-payer public health care and puts Canadian medicare at risk
www.policyalternatives.ca
February 3, 2026 at 3:51 PM
Alberta's Bill 11 puts Canadian medicare at risk. By @alonghurst.bsky.social #abpoli #cdnpoli www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
What to know about Alberta's Bill 11, which threatens public health care in Canada. Report by @alonghurst.bsky.social www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
February 3, 2026 at 3:48 PM
What to know about Alberta's Bill 11, which threatens public health care in Canada. Report by @alonghurst.bsky.social www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
What to know about Alberta’s Bill 11: It creates a private health insurance market for services that are publicly insured under the Canada Health Act. This encourages US investment interests to establish a for-profit health care system in Canada. #cdnpoli
www.policyalternatives.ca
February 3, 2026 at 1:00 PM
What to know about Alberta’s Bill 11: It creates a private health insurance market for services that are publicly insured under the Canada Health Act. This encourages US investment interests to establish a for-profit health care system in Canada. #cdnpoli
A number of legislative and policy reforms in the 2000s aimed to increase private investment into the long-term care and assisted-living sectors, said @alonghurst.bsky.social, “We ended up with a very destabilized workforce.” #canlab @policyalternatives.ca www.biv.com/news/real-es...
Seniors’ care workers brought into B.C.’s public labour regime
A new collective agreement in B.C. for seniors’ care turns tide away from privatization
www.biv.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:56 AM
A number of legislative and policy reforms in the 2000s aimed to increase private investment into the long-term care and assisted-living sectors, said @alonghurst.bsky.social, “We ended up with a very destabilized workforce.” #canlab @policyalternatives.ca www.biv.com/news/real-es...
ICYMI: senior economist @marclee.bsky.social said the numbers reported by the IMF and Tombe are based on a “flawed methodology.”
“Those numbers don’t make any sense based on what we know about internal trade,” said Lee. “It’s vastly overestimated.”
www.timescolonist.com/economy-law-...
“Those numbers don’t make any sense based on what we know about internal trade,” said Lee. “It’s vastly overestimated.”
www.timescolonist.com/economy-law-...
Eliminating Canada's trade barriers could generate $210 billion, says IMF
International Monetary Fund report finds smallest jurisdictions would see largest gains, though B.C. would still see a 5.7 per cent boost in real GDP per worker over time
www.timescolonist.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:52 AM
ICYMI: senior economist @marclee.bsky.social said the numbers reported by the IMF and Tombe are based on a “flawed methodology.”
“Those numbers don’t make any sense based on what we know about internal trade,” said Lee. “It’s vastly overestimated.”
www.timescolonist.com/economy-law-...
“Those numbers don’t make any sense based on what we know about internal trade,” said Lee. “It’s vastly overestimated.”
www.timescolonist.com/economy-law-...
ICYMI: There aren’t enough [child care spaces] to go around, and a new report from @policyalternatives.ca says the [Saskatchewan] provincial government has fallen far short of its goal for new spaces. #skpoli
panow.com/2026/01/29/s...
panow.com/2026/01/29/s...
Saskatchewan not expected to meet new child-care space goal: Report
Thousands of parents across Saskatchewan are still hoping and waiting for a coveted subsidized daycare space u...
panow.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:49 AM
ICYMI: There aren’t enough [child care spaces] to go around, and a new report from @policyalternatives.ca says the [Saskatchewan] provincial government has fallen far short of its goal for new spaces. #skpoli
panow.com/2026/01/29/s...
panow.com/2026/01/29/s...
Local journalism is on the decline, and so are programs that train those who want to work in community news. According to a report released last July by @policyalternatives.ca, Canada had a net loss of about 25 print outlets a year during most years in the 2010s. ottawacitizen.com/news/algonqu...
Algonquin: 'We don't want the college to raise the white flag on journalism'
The program is one of 30 the college has proposed cutting this fall, but those fighting to save it say the world still needs storytellers.
ottawacitizen.com
February 2, 2026 at 9:22 PM
Local journalism is on the decline, and so are programs that train those who want to work in community news. According to a report released last July by @policyalternatives.ca, Canada had a net loss of about 25 print outlets a year during most years in the 2010s. ottawacitizen.com/news/algonqu...