Alberta’s health system today

Across Alberta, families want to know that when they or a loved one need help, our health care system will be there for them. Whether you live in a city, small town, or on a farm far from the nearest hospital, timely and reliable care matters. That’s why Alberta’s government launched the Acute Care Action Plan, a major initiative to strengthen Alberta’s health system today while laying the groundwork for long-term improvements.
It’s a plan that will add more than 1,000 new hospital beds in Edmonton and Calgary, including new buildings for patients at the Grey Nuns, Misericordia, and South Health Campus.
These beds will play a critical role in relieving pressure on emergency rooms, helping patients move through the system faster, and making sure support is there for serious medical concerns.
More surgeries are being completed so Albertans can get the care they need sooner. Over the next three years, 50,000 additional surgical procedures will be offered across the province. By expanding choice with chartered surgical facilities and growing operating room capacity, our government will reduce wait times and help more Albertans receive care when they need it.
While addressing immediate pressures is a priority, the Acute Care Action Plan lays out a long-term vision to prepare for the future. That includes larger ambulance fleets, improved access to non-urgent services outside of emergency rooms, and workforce planning to attract and retain dedicated health care workers.
All of this is backed by $81.5 million in immediate relief to address urgent pressures in the health care system, especially in hospitals and emergency departments.
With January getting closer, work is already underway for next year. Alberta’s government has launched public consultations for Budget 2026, and all Albertans are invited to share their thoughts. A provincewide telephone town hall hosted by Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board Nate Horner is scheduled for Tuesday, December 9 at 6:30 p.m. Those wanting to join, can visit alberta.ca/budgetconsultation to listen and participate online. An online survey will also be open until January 15, 2026. I encourage families, farmers, energy workers, and business owners across our province to take part and help shape the decisions guiding Alberta’s future.
A strong health care system requires planning, investment, and a clear focus on what matters to Albertans. The Acute Care Action Plan is part of that work, and your feedback for Budget 2026 will help guide the next steps. Alberta’s government will continue listening to the families and communities we represent as we build a better health care system for everyone who calls our province home.
As always, please free to reach out to my office with your feedback and questions at Chestermere.Strathmore@assembly.ab.ca.