Funding aimed at recruitment, training, compensation and development
Alberta's healthcare sector will soon be busy with recruitment and training thanks for a boost in funding from the province. The government has pledged a record $7.7 billion for physician funding in 2026-27, a 22-per-cent increase over the previous year, in what the provincial government is calling the largest investment in doctors in its history.
If passed, Budget 2026 will allocate $7.3 billion for physician services, $450 million for recruitment and education, and $15 million for other supports. The funding is aimed at physician recruitment, training, compensation and development, with a focus on improving access to timely, high-quality care across Alberta, the government said.
“Albertans expect to see a doctor when they need one. Access to care is a priority for families across this province,” Premier Danielle Smith said in a statement. “That is why we are making the largest investment in physicians in Alberta’s history, backing the doctors who care for our families and taking real action to improve care provincewide.”
Recruitment, compensation model
The Alberta government said the investment is intended to support family physicians caring for patients with chronic conditions, surgeons performing life-saving procedures and specialist physicians across the health system.
Health Minister Adriana LaGrange, who oversees primary and preventative health services, said the province is already seeing gains in physician supply and service levels.
“We’re seeing record numbers of physicians moving to Alberta, record surgery volumes and more than 700 family physicians taking new patients,” LaGrange said. “This record funding will help pay for treatments, appointments, services and training so that Albertans can get the care they deserve. This investment in Alberta physicians will support our continued efforts to build a sustainable, modern health care system that delivers better care for Albertans.”
The government said the new spending builds on recent changes to how physicians are paid and supported. In 2025, Alberta launched a new primary care physician compensation model. To facilitate the transition, the province has provided $200 million over two years, as well as $57 million over three years to help family doctors and nurse practitioners manage growing patient loads.
According to the Alberta government, 1,190 physicians are currently enrolled in the new primary care compensation model.
Physician workforce at record levels
The Alberta Medical Association (AMA) welcomed the new funding from the Alberta government.
“We are encouraged by the government’s focus on the investment required to sustain the system,” the group said.
“The AMA was pleased to hear the Premier and Minister reference upcoming negotiations with the Association and describe a common understanding of the importance of a constructive relationship. We take government at its word, and the AMA looks forward to negotiating in good faith to achieve a fair, sustainable agreement that supports physicians, their practices and the patients they care for. We are hopeful that given our shared interests, the parties will be able to reach a timely agreement once negotiations commence.”
The province says physician numbers have reached historic highs as a result of recent investments. More than 13,000 physicians are now registered in Alberta, a 34 per cent increase over the past decade, including a record 6,362 family physicians, the government said.
Alberta’s government also noted that spending on physicians has increased by almost $1.2 billion since 2022-23.
In its release, the government said it “will continue working to ensure doctors are well supported and fairly compensated while building a sustainable, modern health system that delivers high-quality care for all Albertans.”
Previously, the federal government announced it would be investing $14.3 million across four organizations through the Foreign Credential Recognition Program (FCRP) to relieve pressure on healthcare workers and address healthcare labor shortages.
Ottawa’s Future Health Workforce study, published in 2025, found that to sustain the healthcare workforce, the country needs 23,000 more family doctors, 14,000 licensed practitioners, and 2,700 nurse practitioners—among other positions.
