Alberta
Health Care Update: Province will deliver health services regionally in seven “health corridors”

Ensuring a successfully refocused health system |
Alberta’s government continues to make progress refocusing the health care system to ensure all Albertans get the care they need.
Under Alberta’s refocused health care system, four fully integrated provincial health agencies are being created to oversee the priority sectors of primary care, acute care, continuing care, and mental health and addiction. Two of the provincial health agencies, Recovery Alberta and Primary Care Alberta, have been established with input from more than 30,000 health care professionals and Albertans.
Additionally, it was recently announced that Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services Jason Nixon would become the sector minister for the new continuing care provincial health agency. He has now taken on this role and will oversee continuing care as the government works toward standing up the new continuing care agency.
“Refocusing the health care system is a complex process that needs to be done right. We’re committed to taking the time necessary to develop a better health care system for Albertans and the front-line workers who work tirelessly every day to serve their patients.”
Acute Care Alberta transition
Acute care, which includes hospitals, emergency services and surgery care, is a significant part of the health care system, providing critical care to Albertans when they need it most. Alberta’s new acute care provincial health agency, Acute Care Alberta, will become a legal entity in early 2025 and begin operating in spring 2025. As work continues, Alberta’s government is committed to ensuring there are no interruptions to patient care while keeping front-line workers and all Albertans informed and supported.
The new acute care provincial health agency will work directly with service providers to speed up access to high-quality care, reduce wait times and ensure a patient’s journey through the acute care system is efficient and effective.
To support the standing up of Acute Care Alberta, the Acute Care Provincial Health Agency Executive Transition Team has been established. The team includes executive members from Alberta Health and an external special adviser, Dr. Chris Eagle. As a former CEO of Alberta Health Services, Dr. Eagle brings extensive experience in the delivery of acute care services in the province. He will provide valuable insight and expertise that will support the transition of Alberta Health Services from a health authority to a service delivery provider.
Throughout this work, Albertans will continue to access acute care services as they always have, and there will be no impact to front-line health care workers and their continued dedication to delivering health care to Albertans.
Primary Care Alberta now operational
As of Nov. 18, Primary Care Alberta is a legal entity under the leadership of Kim Simmonds, whose first task is to support the transition of operations by setting the agency’s vision and mission, implementing policies and processes, and developing plans. Simmonds and her leadership team will work closely with existing primary care teams at Alberta Health Services to establish the new agency.
“Every Albertan deserves to have a long-term, trusted connection with a family doctor or health care team. We are ready to work to ensure all Albertans have a primary health care home.”
Primary Care Alberta will coordinate and deliver primary health care services across the province, so all Albertans and their families are supported in their day-to-day health needs while avoiding visiting the emergency department and reducing pressures on acute care services.
Integrated approach to health system planning
As part of the refocusing work, Alberta’s government is also taking a new, regional approach to health system planning through seven integrated health corridors.
As a regional grouping within a health care system, a health corridor is designed to reflect how Albertans use health care services in the province based on factors such as travel patterns, access points and local population needs. The corridors consider data related to where Albertans access services and facilities, as well as feedback received during health care refocusing public engagement sessions.
As a result, these corridors will enable an evidence-based approach to planning that will inform decisions about services, workforce and infrastructure across the four new provincial health agencies. This new approach will connect care pathways and support seamless patient journeys throughout the health care system.
“New health care corridors present many opportunities within Alberta’s health care system. Further regionalization of services, in addition to a focus on rural needs and representation, will be essential to ensuring our communities get access to the care they need.”
Health corridors will ensure Alberta’s government will be better able to determine current gaps in the health care system and inform investments in those areas, including operational dollars and funding for capital projects. Getting a better regional understanding of how the health care system is being used will ensure decision-making processes reflect the changing needs of Albertans.
Upcoming engagement opportunities
Alberta’s government remains committed to maintaining open lines of communication with Albertans as it stands up the new provincial health agencies that will form the backbone of Alberta’s refocused health care system.
The input, experiences and feedback Alberta’s government is gathering are helping to create a more effective and efficient health care system that meets the needs of Albertans today and for generations to come.
All Albertans are invited to participate in upcoming telephone town halls with Health Minister Adriana LaGrange to discuss the ongoing work to refocus the health system. Town halls will take place on:
- Nov. 19, from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.
- Nov. 27, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Nov. 28, from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Albertans can register to participate online.
In addition to telephone town halls, Albertans can provide feedback on the refocused health care system online until Dec. 5.
A second round of in-person public engagement is planned for winter/spring 2025 to share information and receive feedback about refocusing work. Those interested in keeping up to date on the health system refocusing work and new engagement opportunities can sign up for an e-newsletter.
Quick facts
- Legislative amendments have been implemented to support the transition to the new health care system.
- To support health service delivery, Alberta Health Services divided the province into five zones: Calgary, Edmonton, south, north and central. The new integrated health system plan will include seven regional health corridors:
- North-West
- North-East
- Edmonton
- Central
- Calgary
- South-West
- South-East
Related information
Alberta
Alberta Next: Immigration

From Premier Danielle Smith and Alberta.ca/Next
Let’s talk about immigration.
The Alberta we know and love was built by newcomers from all over Canada and the world; however, immigration levels must also be sustainable…and the Liberal’s open border policies have destroyed that balance resulting in high inflation and increased unemployment.
The Alberta Next Panel is asking: should Alberta take control of our own immigration system to ensure a more sustainable number newcomers that will more strongly contribute to our economy.
It’s your voice and your province. Have your say at www.alberta.ca/next
Alberta
Alberta uncorks new rules for liquor and cannabis

Alberta’s government is supporting liquor producers by enabling them to own, operate and sell their own products on large format bikes or “party bikes.”
Albertans out for a spin on a party bike or tavern tour will soon be able to sip locally made beers and spirits. Alberta’s government is updating the rules to give small liquor producers the green light to serve their own products on party bikes, removing an outdated barrier that had prevented local producers from advertising their own brands.
This is one of several red tape reduction changes to the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Regulation (GLCR) aimed at making life easier for small businesses and expanding responsible choices for consumers.
“We are proud that these amendments not only cut red tape in the retail segment of the liquor marketplace, but also directly open more opportunities for small manufacturers to grow their businesses.”
More freedom to grow: Liquor and cannabis reforms
In addition to the changes to party bikes, Alberta is making it easier for liquor retailers to set up shop in underused commercial space. Businesses that own or lease large buildings can now carve out a separate liquor store within their space, so long as it has its own entrance and full floor-to-ceiling walls separating it from other retail operations.
Alberta’s government is also rolling out a long-awaited change for cannabis producers: federally licensed cultivators and processors will now be able to apply for a retail licence to sell their products directly from the same property, commonly known as “farm-gate” sales. This move aligns Alberta with other provinces and gives consumers more access to homegrown cannabis products, while supporting licensed growers.
These targeted reforms are part of Alberta’s broader push to cut red tape, reduce regulatory burden, and promote a more competitive marketplace across the province.
Quick facts
- Alberta’s retail liquor industry is robust, with more than 35,000 products available across more than 1,600 retail stores
- Larger companies with other retail stores, operate multiple retail stores that have a liquor store on site, but in a separate building.
- There are 752 licenced cannabis retail stores in Alberta.
- There are 2,356 licensed cannabis products for sale in the province.
- All cannabis retailers must be licensed by AGLC.
- Licensed producers are regulated by Health Canada.
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