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EDMONTON — The Alberta government has cancelled plans to move public health professionals from Alberta Health Services into direct government employment following opposition from health-care workers and their unions.
The proposed transfer would have affected professionals involved in food safety inspections, drinking water safety, communicable disease investigations and outbreak response, along with other workers responsible for delivering public health services across the province.
Public health inspectors are now expected to transfer to Primary Care Alberta in fall 2026, while other affected public health employees will move to either Primary Care Alberta or Health Shared Services, depending on their job functions.
The Health Sciences Association of Alberta welcomed the reversal, saying affected professionals will retain their existing wages, benefits, seniority and other protections under their current collective agreement during the transition.
The union had argued public health professionals should remain within Alberta’s public health-care system because of their role in protecting communities and preventing illness.
“We are grateful that the government listened to the many concerns raised by public health professionals and Albertans,” HSAA president Leanne Alfaro said.
“These professionals play a vital role in protecting the health of Albertans, and they belong within the public health-care system.”
The decision comes as Alberta continues restructuring its health-care system by moving services previously administered by Alberta Health Services into specialized provincial health agencies.
The proposed transfer had raised concerns among affected employees about their employment conditions, collective agreements and whether moving public health professionals into government departments could fragment services from the broader health-care system.
A statement from AUPE, the union representing many of the affected workers, also welcomed the government’s decision but criticized how employees learned about the change.
“Good news! Premier Danielle Smith made the right decision, telling listeners to her radio show today that the government has backtracked on its plan and will now keep all affected workers in the public health system,” the statement said.
AUPE said affected employees had received communication from the Public Service Commission the previous day without being informed of the government’s change in direction.
The union described the original proposal as “ill-conceived” and credited workers and other health-care unions for pressuring the government to reconsider.
“This is your victory. Your solidarity throughout this process forced the government to reconsider its plan,” the AUPE statement said.
HSAA also thanked AUPE, the United Nurses of Alberta and CUPE Alberta for working together to advocate for public health professionals.
Alfaro said the reversal protects both the public health system and the workers who provide essential services.
“We appreciate the government’s willingness to listen and make a decision that protects both the public health system and the professionals who deliver it,” she said.
HSAA represents more than 30,000 specialized health-care professionals working across Alberta.
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