"It is not allowable that you would charge a patient as they come in to see a doctor for the care that you provide them," Fiona Clement, a professor who specializes in health policy in the department of community health sciences at the University of Calgary, previously told CBC News.
In its statement, Health Canada said where there is evidence of patient charges, mandatory deductions to federal health transfer payments to the province or territory must be taken.In a statement prior to the Health Canada release, Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley said the decision made by the Marda Loop clinic "undermines the very values of public healthcare."
Talbot-Jones said such an arrangement enabled her to be able to look after people who were looking to secure access to extra appointments. "This is not the first time it's happened. I'm just, kind of, made this public at the wrong time, when people are upset," she said.