Alberta’s government is launching a public engagement to gather input about legislation and policies around assisted suicide, also referred to as medical assistance in dying (MAID).

Medical assistance in dying is a process that allows an eligible person to receive assistance from a medical practitioner in ending their life. To be found eligible, a person must be suffering from a serious and permanent medical condition.

Alberta’s government is reviewing how MAID is regulated to ensure there is a consistent process as well as oversight that protects vulnerable Albertans, specifically those living with disabilities or suffering from mental health challenges. An online survey is now open for Albertans to share their views and experiences with MAID until Dec. 20.

“We recognize that medical assistance in dying is a very complex and often personal issue and is an important, sensitive and emotional matter for patients and their families. It is important to ensure this process has the necessary supports to protect the most vulnerable. I encourage Albertans who have experience with and opinions on MAID to take this survey.”

In addition to the online survey, Alberta’s government will also be engaging directly with academics, medical associations, public bodies, religious organizations, regulatory bodies, advocacy groups and others that have an interest in and/or working relationship to the MAID process, health care, disabilities and mental health care.

Feedback gathered through this process will help inform the Alberta government’s planning and policy decision making, including potential legislative changes regarding MAID in Alberta.

“Our government has been clear that we do not support the provision of medically assisted suicide for vulnerable Albertans facing mental illness as their primary purpose for seeking their own death. Instead, our goal is to build a continuum of care where vulnerable Albertans can live in long-term health and fulfilment. We look forward to the feedback of Albertans as we proceed with this important issue.”

“As MAID is a federally legislated and regulated program that touches the lives of many Albertans, our priority is to ensure we have robust safeguards to protect vulnerable individuals. Albertans’ insights will be essential in developing thoughtful policies on this complex issue.”

The federal Criminal Code sets out the MAID eligibility criteria, procedural safeguards and reporting obligations. The federal government has paused MAID eligibility for individuals with a mental illness as their sole underlying medical condition until March 2027 to ensure the provincial health care systems have processes and supports in place. Alberta’s government does not support expanding MAID eligibility to include those facing depression or mental illness and continues to call on the federal government to end this policy altogether.

Related information

• Medical assistance in dying engagement | Alberta.ca

Alberta’s government continues to make progress refocusing the health care system to ensure all Albertans get the care they need.

Under Alberta’s refocused health care system, four fully integrated provincial health agencies are being created to oversee the priority sectors of primary care, acute care, continuing care, and mental health and addiction. Two of the provincial health agencies, Recovery Alberta and Primary Care Alberta, have been established with input from more than 30,000 health care professionals and Albertans.

Additionally, it was recently announced that Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services Jason Nixon would become the sector minister for the new continuing care provincial health agency. He has now taken on this role and will oversee continuing care as the government works toward standing up the new continuing care agency.

“Refocusing the health care system is a complex process that needs to be done right. We’re committed to taking the time necessary to develop a better health care system for Albertans and the front-line workers who work tirelessly every day to serve their patients.”

Acute Care Alberta transition

Acute care, which includes hospitals, emergency services and surgery care, is a significant part of the health care system, providing critical care to Albertans when they need it most. Alberta’s new acute care provincial health agency, Acute Care Alberta, will become a legal entity in early 2025 and begin operating in spring 2025. As work continues, Alberta’s government is committed to ensuring there are no interruptions to patient care while keeping front-line workers and all Albertans informed and supported.

The new acute care provincial health agency will work directly with service providers to speed up access to high-quality care, reduce wait times and ensure a patient’s journey through the acute care system is efficient and effective.

To support the standing up of Acute Care Alberta, the Acute Care Provincial Health Agency Executive Transition Team has been established. The team includes executive members from Alberta Health and an external special adviser, Dr. Chris Eagle. As a former CEO of Alberta Health Services, Dr. Eagle brings extensive experience in the delivery of acute care services in the province. He will provide valuable insight and expertise that will support the transition of Alberta Health Services from a health authority to a service delivery provider.

Throughout this work, Albertans will continue to access acute care services as they always have, and there will be no impact to front-line health care workers and their continued dedication to delivering health care to Albertans.

Primary Care Alberta now operational

As of Nov. 18, Primary Care Alberta is a legal entity under the leadership of Kim Simmonds, whose first task is to support the transition of operations by setting the agency’s vision and mission, implementing policies and processes, and developing plans. Simmonds and her leadership team will work closely with existing primary care teams at Alberta Health Services to establish the new agency.

“Every Albertan deserves to have a long-term, trusted connection with a family doctor or health care team. We are ready to work to ensure all Albertans have a primary health care home.”

Primary Care Alberta will coordinate and deliver primary health care services across the province, so all Albertans and their families are supported in their day-to-day health needs while avoiding visiting the emergency department and reducing pressures on acute care services.

Integrated approach to health system planning

As part of the refocusing work, Alberta’s government is also taking a new, regional approach to health system planning through seven integrated health corridors.

As a regional grouping within a health care system, a health corridor is designed to reflect how Albertans use health care services in the province based on factors such as travel patterns, access points and local population needs. The corridors consider data related to where Albertans access services and facilities, as well as feedback received during health care refocusing public engagement sessions.

As a result, these corridors will enable an evidence-based approach to planning that will inform decisions about services, workforce and infrastructure across the four new provincial health agencies. This new approach will connect care pathways and support seamless patient journeys throughout the health care system.

“New health care corridors present many opportunities within Alberta’s health care system. Further regionalization of services, in addition to a focus on rural needs and representation, will be essential to ensuring our communities get access to the care they need.”

Health corridors will ensure Alberta’s government will be better able to determine current gaps in the health care system and inform investments in those areas, including operational dollars and funding for capital projects. Getting a better regional understanding of how the health care system is being used will ensure decision-making processes reflect the changing needs of Albertans.

Upcoming engagement opportunities

Alberta’s government remains committed to maintaining open lines of communication with Albertans as it stands up the new provincial health agencies that will form the backbone of Alberta’s refocused health care system.

The input, experiences and feedback Alberta’s government is gathering are helping to create a more effective and efficient health care system that meets the needs of Albertans today and for generations to come.

All Albertans are invited to participate in upcoming telephone town halls with Health Minister Adriana LaGrange to discuss the ongoing work to refocus the health system. Town halls will take place on:

• Nov. 19, from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.
• Nov. 27, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Nov. 28, from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Albertans can register to participate online.

In addition to telephone town halls, Albertans can provide feedback on the refocused health care system online until Dec. 5.

A second round of in-person public engagement is planned for winter/spring 2025 to share information and receive feedback about refocusing work. Those interested in keeping up to date on the health system refocusing work and new engagement opportunities can sign up for an e-newsletter.

Quick facts

• Legislative amendments have been implemented to support the transition to the new health care system.
• To support health service delivery, Alberta Health Services divided the province into five zones: Calgary, Edmonton, south, north and central. The new integrated health system plan will include seven regional health corridors:
  • North-West
  • North-East
  • Edmonton
  • Central
  • Calgary
  • South-West
  • South-East

Related information

• Town hall registration
• Refocusing health care in Alberta | Alberta Online Engagement
• Health care refocusing newsletter