"Health Matters at the Legislature" for August 2026

What’s shaping health care in Alberta this month? The following article captures health-care news and announcements from August 5 to September 8, 2026.

HSAA expresses concern over closure of Henwood Treatment Centre

Following closure of the Henwood Treatment Centre due to flooding, HSAA expressed concern for members and Albertans, warning that removing treatment capacity without an immediate replacement would increase pressure on addiction services at a time when the opioid crisis continues to affect communities across Alberta.

HSAA represents approximately 20 addictions counsellors, clinical supervisors, mental health therapists, recreation therapists, psychologists, therapy assistants and social workers at Henwood.

Following confirmation that services would return after remediation in approximately two years’ time, HSAA welcomed the decision while raising concerns about the potential timeline.

HSAA will continue to work with Recovery Alberta to protect members rights during this closure.

Health-care professionals rally against Bill 11

Health-care professionals and supporters gathered in communities across Alberta on Sept. 1 as changes introduced through Bill 11 came into effect.

Events were held in Calgary, Edmonton, Medicine Hat, St. Albert, Lethbridge, Red Deer and Leduc as part of a national day of action.

The rallies came on the heels of new research by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives showing widespread opposition from Canadians to U.S.-style, two-tier health care, where physicians and private facilities can bill patients and the public system for medically necessary health care.

HSAA encouraged members and supporters to participate, warning that Alberta’s health-care workforce is already stretched and that expanding private-pay care will not create more health professionals. HSAA says private delivery risks pulling workers and capacity away from the public system and making existing wait-time pressures worse.

HSAA continues to advocate for a health-care system where Albertans receive care based on need and for investments that strengthen the public health-care workforce.

Province invests in expanding midwifery care

The Government of Alberta announced $5 million through the Alberta Midwifery Strategy Grant to support projects aimed at expanding access to midwifery and maternal health services.

The funding is part of a three-year, $10-million investment in the Alberta Midwifery Strategy and can support recruitment, culturally appropriate services, improved data collection and greater integration of midwifery into team-based primary care.

The province says the program has a particular focus on improving access in rural, remote and Indigenous communities. There are currently 192 registered midwives in Alberta.
Applications for the grant are open until Oct. 6.

Funding aims to strengthen rural primary care teams

The province announced an additional $9 million for rural primary care, including almost $8 million through the Rural Team Recruitment Grant to help clinics grow their care teams.

Through the latest grant intake, $3.4 million was awarded to 23 clinics, supporting 53 new full-time health-care positions in rural and remote communities.

An additional $1 million was awarded to seven municipalities through the Municipality Supported Clinics Grant program to support new staff, medical equipment, training and technology.

The province says the Rural Team Recruitment Grant is helping fill 105 new health-care positions overall and that previous recipients have expanded clinic hours, increased service days and improved access to appointments.

Siksika Nation opens Indigenous-led recovery community

Siksika Nation celebrated the opening of the Siksika Iitaisokinaapyoyis Healing Lodge Recovery Community, a new 76-bed addiction treatment facility providing culturally grounded care in southern Alberta.

The facility is owned and managed by Siksika Nation and will provide no-cost, live-in treatment incorporating culture, ceremony, family, community and traditional Blackfoot approaches to healing.

It is the second of five Indigenous-led recovery communities planned for Alberta.

The first clients are expected to begin treatment this fall and will be able to receive treatment for up to one year. The province says the five Indigenous-led recovery communities will add more than 375 treatment beds across Alberta.

Province expands recovery capacity in Grande Prairie

The Government of Alberta announced $3 million for Rising Above Ministries to expand addiction treatment and recovery capacity in Grande Prairie.

The funding will support addiction treatment and recovery housing infrastructure, including a new 36-bed treatment centre for men expected to begin accepting clients this fall. Rising Above is also renovating an existing facility to provide women-only addiction treatment services.

The six-month residential recovery program will include supports related to housing, employment readiness, life skills and personal development.

Planning is also underway for the Grande Prairie Recovery Community, which is expected to provide up to 50 long-term addiction treatment beds.

Major cardiac care expansion planned for Lethbridge

The Government of Alberta announced design work is beginning on a $320-million expansion of cardiac and critical care services at Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge.

The project includes redevelopment of the hospital’s cardiac catheterization lab and expansion of its intensive care and cardiac care units.

Once complete, the intensive care unit will increase from 16 to 26 bed spaces, while the cardiac care unit will increase from four to 28, bringing the combined capacity to 54 bed spaces.

Budget 2026 includes $44.3 million over three years to complete design and begin construction. Design work is expected to continue until September 2027, with construction anticipated to begin in October 2027 and completion targeted for the end of 2031.