Federal petition e-6974 closes for signatures on February 18

By Erin Knutson

A recent policy change has left East Kootenay residents uncertain, as it now restricts their access to healthcare services in nearby Alberta, raising concerns about cross-border medical care, especially for people like Fernie resident TJ Hagarty.

Hagarty’s 11-year-old son Jackson, who has cystic fibrosis, is at the heart of federal petition e-6974. The petition asks provincial and federal governments to address strict cross-border licensing rules.

“There was no consultation, no transition plan, and no local infrastructure to fill the gap,” Hagarty said. He shared his distress as a father trying to provide adequate care for his son.

Jackson used to get treatment at Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary, but now the family faces an 11-hour trip to BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver instead of a three-hour drive.

Hagarty is worried about higher costs, difficult winter travel, and the challenge of managing Jackson’s ongoing condition. He also pointed out that Fernie and Cranbrook hospitals do not have specialized cystic fibrosis care, which leaves his family at risk during emergencies.

Some tests are available in Kelowna, but most procedures still mean travelling to Vancouver. Hagarty has spent most of Jackson’s life driving to Calgary for care.

In November 2025, Hagarty started federal petition e-6974. He is asking Ottawa to work on a cross-border care agreement and to review the strict policies and licensing rules that make it hard to get care nearby.

Kootenay-Columbia MP Rob Morrison said the petition is getting attention on the House of Commons website, with more than 2,500 signatures as of February. Most of the signatories are from British Columbia.

“Following our discussions, an e-petition was developed and approved for submission with my sponsorship to the House of Commons website for signatures. As of February 3, there are 2,519 signatories. Notably, 2,200 of these are from B.C. residents. I fully believe it is my responsibility, on behalf of my constituents, to bring issues such as this to the attention of the House of Commons,” Morrison said in a written statement.

Under parliamentary rules, the government must respond to the petition within 45 days of its presentation.

“It’s not just TJ. It’s thousands of people I’ve talked to that have had the same problems,” he said.

He explained that ongoing billing and administrative problems across provinces make it harder to access care outside B.C. The federal government pays for provincial health care, but each province controls how care is delivered and who is eligible. B.C. plans to replace its Health Professions Act this year. Morrison supports fair access to care, as described in the Canada Health Act.

“After the petition closes for signatures on February 18, 2026, the Clerk of Petitions must determine whether the petition can be certified. Assuming the petition is certified, as the sponsoring Member of Parliament, I can present it to the House of Commons at the next available opportunity. Once tabled, the Government of Canada has 45 days to respond,” said Morrison.

He clarified that the Standing Orders of the House of Commons require the government to respond to every petition presented to the House within 45 calendar days.

“I have been supporting this since I was elected a Member of Parliament in 2019. I fully believe it is my responsibility, on behalf of my constituents, to bring issues such as this to the attention of the House of Commons and my constituents,” he said.

For now, families like the Hagartys have to pay for travel and lodging and get used to a new healthcare team based eleven hours away. Hagarty called the situation both inadequate and unnecessary. Hagarty says the reasons for the licensing change remain unclear, and that policymakers did not consult families and physicians before implementing the changes. Many people, including Hagarty, do not know whether the problem concerns payments between provinces or licensing rules.

“This is clearly a bureaucratic issue, not a clinical one, and families are bearing the fallout,” Hagarty said.

Jackson’s first appointment is scheduled at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, while Alberta Children’s Hospital continues to provide prescription refills. Hagarty has created an email address, [email protected], for families seeking support, information, or to sign the petition.

“This situation affects anyone in the eastern interior who relies on Alberta specialists. It has created unnecessary risk, financial strain, and significant anxiety for families already managing serious medical conditions. Families in the East Kootenay are left waiting for a resolution from policymakers,” said Hagarty.

e-KNOW

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