Alberta’s government is committed to providing the highest quality of health care services for every Albertan, no matter where they live in the province, and this includes making historic investments in rural health care facilities.
To further these goals, Budget 2025’s new Rural Hospital Enhancement Program will improve rural health care facilities to better address rural health challenges and provide greater access to essential health services. If passed, Budget 2025 will provide $15 million to support project planning, which includes conducting facility and functional assessments of rural hospitals to determine what capital planning solutions and services are required to maximize each facility’s potential and better meet the needs of rural communities.
“Rural Albertans should be able to access the health care services they need close to home. The new Rural Hospital Enhancement Program will ensure we are continuing to make data-driven decisions, and that resources are being appropriately deployed to address the areas with the greatest need.”
Once project plans for each facility are developed, they will be used to inform future capital planning discussions and funding decisions for new projects. This program will expedite the time between planning and construction, so projects are completed sooner to support rural communities.
“As an MLA from rural Alberta, I know first-hand how important it is to have access to high-quality health care facilities close to home. This investment in projects in rural communities across Alberta will enhance care and strengthen our communities. I cannot wait to get to work on these critical projects.”
Alberta’s government is also supporting existing capital programs and projects that will maximize the potential of rural health care facilities and enhance health care for rural Albertans. These investments will ensure that rural patients can receive care in the communities where they reside, reducing the need for long-distance travel to urban centres for essential medical services. By enhancing infrastructure and expanding services, the province aims to improve access to timely and high-quality care. These efforts will help alleviate pressure on larger hospitals and support the overall well-being of Albertans living outside major cities.
“Our government is investing in health facilities and programs to ensure we are meeting the needs of rural Albertans. This includes much-needed planning funds to replace the Cardston Health Centre, one of the oldest health facilities in the province.”
Through Budget 2025, Alberta’s government is continuing to support capital projects that will deliver value to and maximize benefits for rural Albertans. These projects include:
- $25 million to complete projects approved under the Rural Health Facilities Revitalization Program
- $20 million in planning funds for primary care centres in rural, remote and Indigenous communities
- $80 million to develop the La Crete Maternity and Community Health Centre
- $1 million in planning funds for the Cardston Health Centre
- $18 million to fund furnishings, equipment and information technology infrastructure for the Mountview Health Complex in Beaverlodge
- $170 million in capital lease costs for the Mountview facility
“More Albertans are choosing to live in rural communities, and we’re improving their access to health care services while planning for the future. We’re making major investments in northern Alberta, including in La Crete and Beaverlodge where residents travel too far to access care.”
“Budget 2025 enables Covenant to continue partnering with the Alberta government in refocusing the health care system. We are grateful for the opportunity to develop plans to complete capital projects at our rural facilities and expand access to quality health care for every Albertan.”
Through Budget 2025, Alberta’s government will continue to improve health care facilities across the province to ensure that all Albertans can get the care they need, when and where they need it.
Budget 2025 is meeting the challenge faced by Alberta with continued investments in education and health, lower taxes for families and a focus on the economy.
Quick facts
- More than 18 per cent of Albertans live in rural and remote communities.
- Alberta’s rural population is expected to grow by 20 per cent, from 1.06 million in 2023 to 1.27 million by 2051.
- The first phase of planning under the Rural Hospital Enhancement Program will evaluate 20 facilities across the province:
- Myron Thompson Health Centre in Sundre
- Whitecourt Healthcare Centre
- Brooks Health Centre
- Hinton Healthcare Centre
- William J. Cadzow - Lac La Biche Healthcare Centre
- St. Joseph’s General Hospital in Vegreville
- Drumheller Health Centre
- Slave Lake Healthcare Centre
- Edson Healthcare Centre
- Killam Health Care Centre
- Drayton Valley Hospital and Care Centre
- Pincher Creek Health Centre
- Athabasca Healthcare Centre
- Valleyview Health Centre
- Barrhead Healthcare Centre
- Northwest Health Centre in High Level
- Peace River Community Health Centre
- Central Peace Health Complex in Spirit River
- Lacombe Hospital and Care Centre
- Milk River Health Centre
- The Rural Health Facilities Revitalization Program was created in 2021 with total funding of $140 million to execute 44 projects in rural communities across the province.
- The $25 million in 2025-26 will complete the remaining projects being supported by this program.
Related information
Related news
- Refocusing emergency services (March 10, 2025)
- Budget 2025: Increasing hospital capacity | Budget de 2025 : Augmenter la capacité d’hospitalisation | alberta.ca (March 6, 2025)
- Delivering care close to home in La Crete (Feb. 25, 2025)
- Enhancing health care services in Beaverlodge (Nov. 25, 2024)
- Improving health care in rural and remote Alberta (Oct. 3, 2024)