The Alberta nurses union is so impressed with U.S. director Michael Moore's documentary Sicko that members handed out free tickets to his movie in Edmonton on Wednesday.

Sicko, by Michael Moore, seen here in 2005, features stories of Americans facing financial ruin because of the U.S. health-care system.
(Canadian Press)

The move was meant to remind Albertans of what they don't want to see happen to public health care, says United Nurses of Alberta vice-president Bev Dick.

"They have to constantly be on guard to protect our strong public health-care system. I think Albertans are aware of previous governments' attempts in this province to dismantle that system and allow for-profit people to come into this province," she told CBC News.
 
In Sicko, Moore features stories of Americans who have been refused vital treatment and are facing financial ruin because of the U.S. health-care system. The director also travels to Britain, Canada and France to highlight each country's public health system.

Nurse Karen Kuprys told the Edmonton Sun that only a few downtown patrons responded negatively to her free-movie handout.

"They're probably the ones who need to see it the most," she told the paper.

The United Nurses of Alberta picked up the entire tab for the giveaway. All told, the nurses handed out 150 tickets, costing $11.95 each.

The union is also giving tickets to Premier Ed Stelmach and Health and Wellness Minister Dave Hancock.