Political Advocacy

The Government Affairs and Advocacy Committee (GAAC) is the branch of the MSA responsible for identifying and researching issues that affect the health care system, allowing medical students to develop informed positions from which to advocate to governments and other organizations. Issues can range from health policy to health education to community planning. Each year, GAAC organizes the Provincial Day of Action (PDoA), where students meet with MLAs and other representatives at the Legislative Assembly of Alberta to advocate for a specific position on a health care issue. Previous PDoA topics have included addressing the opioid crisis (2023), advocating for primary care doctors (2024), and increasing awareness of acute care concerns (2025).

GAACs are a two-year position and they participate in monthly roundtable meetings with GAACs from other medical schools across Canada. They also participate in CFMS' National Day of Action in Ottawa every November, and also the Medical Education Day of Action (typically in April).

GAAC gives students the opportunity to get involved in advocacy, to learn about health policy, and to understand the impacts of health care at the population level. We encourage all students to join as part of our effort to create a positive future for health care.

- Jason Wang, GAAC Chair (2024-2025)

History of GAAC 

Past Political Action Day Topics