sudok1 / Depositphotos.com
EDMONTON — The Alberta Government is proposing a $13.8 billion investment in hospital and surgical services as part of Budget 2026.
The province says the funding for 2026-27 would mark a $1.7 billion increase over the previous year and would exceed the combined rate of population growth and inflation. The money is aimed at expanding hospital based services and reducing wait times for surgeries, cancer care, emergency services and diagnostics.
The government says $315 million would go toward strengthening rural and remote hospitals. An additional $63 million over two years is earmarked to develop shelled and vacant hospital spaces to increase capacity and improve patient flow.
The plan also includes $330 million in capital funding over three years to support medical device reprocessing departments, with the goal of improving surgical safety and speed.
The Hospital and Surgical Health Services three year capital plan totals more than $1.4 billion. The province says the funding would support hospital maintenance and upgrades across urban and rural Alberta, along with investments in diagnostic imaging, medical device reprocessing and upgrades to the Emergency Health Services fleet.
Under the Acute Care Action Plan, the government says $525 million over three years would fund 50,000 additional surgeries. Alberta expects to perform 330,000 procedures in 2026-27, following what it calls a record 318,920 surgeries completed in 2024-25.
Hospital and Surgical Health Services Minister Matt Jones says the budget takes action to relieve pressure on the health care system and provide resources for timely care. Treasury Board President and Finance Minister Nate Horner calls the $13.8 billion commitment historic and focused on improving access. David Diamond, interim chief operating officer and chief executive of Acute Care Alberta, says the plan will strengthen acute care delivery and reduce wait times.
Comments