Braid: Government caves on popsicle ban for cancer kids, but admits nothing (2025)

It turns out that children with cancer are just the most vivid symbol of a wider policy that will also deny food and drink to people stuck on ER hallways

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By Don Braid • Calgary Herald

Published Mar 31, 2025

Last updated 3days ago

3 minute read

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Braid: Government caves on popsicle ban for cancer kids, but admits nothing (1)

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This is as low as a government can go to save money in the health system.

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Children in outpatient cancer care were no longer to get a popsicle, juice box, ginger ale or other treat after their gruelling procedures.

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Amanda Moppett-Beatch learned this last Friday at the Children’s Hospital, after her 11-year-old son, Easton, had his latest treatment for brain cancer.

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This boy and his family have endured a two-year agony of surgeries, treatments, brief remission, relapse and now more chemotherapy.

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That looming denial of a simple treat nearly broke Easton’s mom.

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“If I wasn’t so exhausted from all this I’d be infuriated,” she said in a Facebook post now widely circulated.

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“Instead, I’m sad.”

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So apparently Alberta Health Services has just informed the Oncology Clinic (and other ‘ambulatory’ or non-admitted for...
Posted by Amanda Moppett-Beatch onFriday, March 28, 2025

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In an interview Monday, Moppet-Beatch said: “I hear first-hand the kids screaming and crying, not wanting to get that needle poke, and then you’ll see them come out an hour later and they’ll have that popsicle — that colourful, sweet piece of joy.”

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Easton gets a lumbar puncture with chemo once a month. Afterward, he must drink something before an IV connector can be removed.

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Now, the system would not spare another ginger ale for a child who has been through medical hell.

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As the story began to break Monday, Health Minister Adriana LaGrange backpedaled in the face of furious reaction from parents.

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She said that was not the intent of the new policy. Children will still get what they need. The information is “incorrect or being misrepresented.”

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In a way the government was lucky to get caught just as treats were being phased out. They now reverse field and claim nothing was happening in the first place.

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But that is false.

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But LaGrange is directly contradicting an official memo from AHS, now headed by her former deputy minister, Andre Tremblay, who has the full powers of CEO and governing board.

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It turns out that children with cancer are just the most vivid symbol of a wider policy that will also deny food and drink to people stuck on ER hallways.

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The internal memo, sent March 17, is headed: “Changes to food supplies to Emergency Department and Non-inpatient areas.”

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“A reduced list of essential nourishment items will be provided to sites based on clinical needs.”

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In-patients will still get their meals. But many people who need full-time care and aren’t yet admitted (just check out your nearest ER corridor) are suddenly on starvation regime.

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This is already going on in the ER hallways and for outpatients in other areas.

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The memo says: “Most sites have vending machines or on-site retail food services, and staff can provide information on nearby food options.”

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Some staff are doing more than that. Nurses and others donate money to buy food and treats for patients with no family support.