A&E Committee Spotlight

May 2026

 

Bill 13: Regulated Professions Neutrality Act

Bill 13, the Regulated Professions Neutrality Act, often referred to as the “Peterson law,” limits professional regulators’ ability to discipline members for what they say or do outside of work.

Supporters say it protects freedom of expression and prevents regulatory overreach. But critics—including experts like Jared Wesley—warn it could weaken public protections and make it harder to address harmful or discriminatory conduct.

The legislation also removes requirements for training in areas like cultural competency, anti-racism, and unconscious bias unless directly tied to job performance. For healthcare professionals, this raises serious concerns about patient safety, equity, and quality of care—especially for marginalized communities.

As this law comes into force, the question remains: how do we balance freedom of expression with the responsibility professionals have to uphold trust, safety, and equitable care?

Click HERE for the new spotlight on Bill 13

May 7th, 2026 Comments Off on A&E Committee Spotlight local196una

Nurses Week 2026 Events

April 30th, 2026 Comments Off on Nurses Week 2026 Events local196una

April Local E-Newsletter Available Now!

Check your (personal) inbox for the Local 196 e-Newsletter!

 

Click the link below to view the April edition of Local 196’s e-newsletter:

Local 196 UNA e-newsletter: April 2026

The Local newsletter was sent via MailChimp with updated member contact information from the Provincial UNA Office. It was sent to personal email addresses only. Please update your contact information in UNA’s DMS system if you have not received our newsletter.

April 21st, 2026 Comments Off on April Local E-Newsletter Available Now! local196una

Nurses’ Week 2026

 

This Nurses Week (May 11–17), we’re celebrating Our Nurses, Our Future — and that means YOU!

💬 Tell us:

What makes you special?

Do you have a hidden talent?

What’s something surprising about you?

What’s your nursing superpower?

Whether it’s calming chaos in seconds, making patients laugh on their hardest days, or juggling a hundred tasks like a pro — we want to hear it 💙

📸 Share your story and photo to be part of the United Nurses of Alberta’s 4th Annual Nurses Week Member Engagement Challenge!

Let’s showcase the creativity, strength, and spirit of nurses in Local 196, Edmonton Community 💪

Email your submission to local196exec@una.ca before May 15, 2026

April 13th, 2026 Comments Off on Nurses’ Week 2026 local196una

A&E Committee Spotlight

April 2026

 

EDMONTON: CITY OF CHAMPIONS — OR FROSTBITE CAPITAL?

Edmonton is facing a growing crisis.

Since 2021, 188 frostbite amputations have been performed on people experiencing homelessness in our city, according to Taylor Lambert reporting for CBC News.

This isn’t just a statistic—it’s a system failure.

Our unsheltered population has nearly tripled since 2019. Patients are leaving emergency departments before being seen, only to return later with severe frostbite—often beyond the 72-hour window for treatment.

At the same time, EMS crews are responding to up to 30 opioid-related calls per day.

This is what happens when:

  • Shelters are inadequate or unavailable
  • Encampments are dismantled without support
  • Care is delayed or inaccessible
  • Addiction and homelessness are left unaddressed

The result? More suffering. More strain on healthcare. More preventable harm.

As healthcare workers and advocates, we have to ask:
How did we get here—and what are we going to do about it?

Edmonton deserves better. So do the people living in it.

Click HERE for the new spotlight on Frostbite in Edmonton

April 12th, 2026 Comments Off on A&E Committee Spotlight local196una

Nurses Week Education Event: May 11, 2026

 

Register for the event through DMS

Registration Deadline is May 3rd at 2359h

 

Not a UNA member? Go to the UNA website for instructions on how to become a member.

This event is open to members & duespayers of Local 196 only.

TICKETS ARE NON-TRANSFERABLE.

Registration must be completed using a non-AHS email.

Questions/Dietary requests? Please email Local196Education@una.ca

 

If you have registered and can no longer attend, please cancel your registration in DMS or email Local196Education@una.ca before the registration deadline.

March 31st, 2026 Comments Off on Nurses Week Education Event: May 11, 2026 local196una

March Local E-Newsletter Available Now!

Check your (personal) inbox for the Local 196 e-Newsletter!

 

Click the link below to view the March edition of Local 196’s e-newsletter:

Local 196 UNA e-newsletter: March 2026

The Local newsletter was sent via MailChimp with updated member contact information from the Provincial UNA Office. It was sent to personal email addresses only. Please update your contact information in UNA’s DMS system if you have not received our newsletter.

March 18th, 2026 Comments Off on March Local E-Newsletter Available Now! local196una

New Local 196 Podcast episode

 

Click HERE to listen to the newest podcast episode.

This episode focuses on Bill 11, the Health Statutes Amendment Act, and the growing debate around two-tier health care in Alberta. Critics warn that the legislation could open the door to expanded private payment for medical services, potentially allowing those who can afford it to access faster care while others face longer waits in the public system.

To help unpack what this could mean for patients, nurses, and communities, we’re joined by Chris Gallaway, Executive Director of Friends of Medicare, a national advocacy organization working to protect and strengthen Canada’s public health care system.

We’ll talk about what Bill 11 changes, why advocates across the country are raising concerns, and why Albertans are mobilizing for a Day of Action on March 16 in Edmonton to defend public health care.

Guest: Chris Gallaway 

Chris Gallaway

Chris Gallaway is the Executive Director of Friends of Medicare, a national advocacy organization dedicated to protecting and strengthening Canada’s public health care system. Based in Edmonton, Gallaway has become a leading voice in Alberta on health care privatization, access to care, and the preservation of universal, publicly funded health services.

Guest Host: Anahi Johnson

Anahi Johnson

Anahi Johnson is a Registered Nurse and a dedicated union leader with the United Nurses of Alberta (UNA). As president of Local 32 (Glenrose Hospital), Anahi advocates for safe working conditions, strong public health care, and fair treatment for frontline health workers. Johnson has been actively involved in union work for many years, supporting colleagues through workplace advocacy, education, and collective action.  

March 13th, 2026 Comments Off on New Local 196 Podcast episode local196una

Local 196 Local Meeting – March 25, 2026

***Note the venue change to Alberta Teachers Association***

Register for the meeting in  DMS

March 10th, 2026 Comments Off on Local 196 Local Meeting – March 25, 2026 local196una

A&E Committee Spotlight

Mar 2026

 

Bill 11 and the Future of Public Health Care in Alberta

The passage of the Health Statutes Amendment Act (Bill 11) marks a significant shift in the direction of public health care in Alberta. The legislation introduces “dual physician practice,” allowing doctors to work in both the publicly funded health system and a private-pay market at the same time. Supporters say the changes could improve efficiency and help address wait times, but many health policy experts warn that the bill opens the door to a two-tier system where access to care may increasingly depend on a patient’s ability to pay.

Critics also raise concerns that expanding private payment for medically necessary services could actually increase wait times in the public system. Research from other jurisdictions suggests that when private options grow, health professionals and resources may shift toward private facilities, leaving fewer resources available in public hospitals and clinics.

The changes have sparked debate about the future of Canada’s publicly funded health care model and how the legislation aligns with the principles of the Canada Health Act, which emphasizes universality and accessibility.

Click HERE for the new spotlight on Bill 11: Two-Tier Healthcare

March 6th, 2026 Comments Off on A&E Committee Spotlight local196una

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