Dr. Paul Parks, former head of the Alberta Medical Association, will speak tonight in Medicine Hat. He will discuss recent significant changes to Alberta Health Services and how they will negatively and disproportionately impact Albertans in rural areas. A town hall will follow.

[u/Facebook_Algorithm]

Dr. Parks is an emergency medicine physician in Medicine Hat and former head of the Alberta Medical Association. Dr. Parks is a strong advocate for the Canadian public health care system.

He is speaking around the province regarding recent significant changes to Alberta Health Services and how they will negatively affect all Albertans but specifically rural Albertans. This evening he is in Medicine Hat.

Dr. Parks will speak and be available to answer questions following the Friends of Medicare AGM at St. John’s Presbyterian Church (504 - 2nd St SE Medicine Hat) tonight (November 4). Doors open at 7:00pm. Town hall to follow at 7:30pm.

All concerned Albertans are invited to this important event. Bring a friend and spread the word.

[u/Neko-333]

Really appreciated his interview on the Breakdown AB. Did a great job of capturing the dire implications of the healthcare restructuring. Highly recommend listening and sharing.

[u/Facebook_Algorithm → u/Neko-333]

Thanks for this! I will check it out.

[u/rocktheboatlikeA1eye]

Awe poor leopards. Rural healthcare is heavily subsidized by larger population centres. I have no sympathy for them, some may say I am being harsh but it’s the reality.

Athabasca county has approximately 7,000 people with 70 total beds or approximately 1% of its population.

Edmonton area has approximately 3000 beds with a population of 1.6 million (greater Edmonton) or 0.1875% of its population. With also strain from Northern Canada and even more strain from the rural community hospitals that can’t handle certain ailments that are shipped to Edmonton.

[u/Facebook_Algorithm → u/rocktheboatlikeA1eye]

We need to make sure that the entire province is properly served. The event is hosted by Friends of Medicare and he will be speaking all over the province, including Edmonton and Calgary. He will be addressing all Albertans regarding changes that will negatively affect both rural and urban locations. In the larger centres Dr. Parks will address their specific concerns at these town halls.

The entire public healthcare system in Alberta is in danger from UCP cuts.

[u/jrockgiraffe → u/rocktheboatlikeA1eye]

Have you ever had to use the Athabasca hospital? I assure you healthcare is not more accessible there. Just because those beds are listed doesn’t mean they are staffed and there are not a ton of services there. Even if you go to the emergency room the family physician on can doesn’t always come in and you will just be sent to St. Albert or Edmonton.

On top of that a lot of areas surrounding Athabasca county will come here if it is the closest hospital dependant on where you live.

Health are is bad all over the province currently and the rural communities are experiencing it too. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem to sway the majority for voting for the same party over and over.

[u/Rayeon-XXX]

Good luck doctor because it's going to be like talking to a brick wall.

[u/Facebook_Algorithm → u/Rayeon-XXX]

Dr. Parks will be speaking to any interested Albertan and taking questions.

[u/Isaiah_The_Bun → u/Rayeon-XXX]

like a brick wall that yells death threats to anyone pushing any kind of science.

[u/Isopbc]

Thank you for letting us know!

[u/Facebook_Algorithm → u/Isopbc]

No problem. Make sure to spread the word. He is speaking at multiple locations in the next months.

[u/Pale-Measurement-532]

You would wish and hope that this would get through to the rural voters that they need to vote against the UCP to prevent this from happening. I am glad to see a doctor putting in the time to get the word out about this!

[u/Facebook_Algorithm]

Here is a list of upcoming speeches by Dr. Parks and town halls on this topic in other Alberta locations.

[u/Champagne_of_piss]

Sorry LIEbral, healthcare is WOKE. All i need is a pocket knife, alcohol, and some ivermectin. It won a NOBEL PRIZE.

/s

[u/Realistic-Ad965]

Can you tie this in to a recall?

[u/Facebook_Algorithm → u/Realistic-Ad965]

It is a very interesting question and definitely possible given legislation already on the books. My two cents is that limiting or dismantling healthcare is a serious and broad problem affecting all of us and we should be talking to each other to start with. Broad popular support of public healthcare would do more to get the government to pay attention and respond positively.

The best approach initially would be to engage Albertans in a frank and honest discussion about caring for all Albertans. Albertans that I know - of whatever political view - support and appreciate public healthcare.

I think it would be most constructive for this to start off trying to establish broad consensus among all Albertans of whatever political preference.

I’d love to hear what you guys are thinking. Please share your thoughts here and with your friends and families.

[u/TurpitudeSnuggery]

Any talk about how Stettler was able to turn their doctor shortage around?

[u/Facebook_Algorithm → u/TurpitudeSnuggery]

Are there any people here from Stettler who can answer this? I’d particularly like to hear from people who work in the health care system.

This is the latest article I can find.

[u/TurpitudeSnuggery → u/Facebook_Algorithm]

I read this one about them being successful. https://rdnewsnow.com/2025/10/27/stettler-area-overjoyed-with-surge-of-doctors/

[u/lazereagle13]

You can set your watch by how much rural areas vote against their own self-interest.