Getting the job done for Albertans: A new era of care

by ahnationtalk on October 8, 20253 Views

Oct 08, 2025

Premier Danielle Smith has issued a new set of mandate letters focused on improving health care delivery for all Albertans no matter where they live.

Alberta’s Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services Matt Jones, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction Rick Wilson and Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services Jason Nixon have been tasked with driving a new era of health care that puts patients first, strengthens preventative care, improves access in rural, urban and Indigenous communities alike and reduces wait times. These mandates align all four pillars of care to drive coordinated action that delivers results, faster care and stronger outcomes for every Albertan.

“This new era of care will deliver a modern health care system Albertans can count on. These mandates bring every part of Alberta’s health network into alignment to strengthen preventative and front-line care, reduce wait times and make a real difference in every corner of the province.”

Danielle Smith, Premier

Primary and Preventative Health Services

The Premier tasks Minister Adriana LaGrange with:

Continuing to work towards attaching Albertans with a practitioner/primary care home through the new physician agreement, family doctor recruitment, expanded nurse practitioner practices and publicly reporting progress.
Strengthening Alberta’s health workforce by implementing the Alberta Health Workforce Strategy to improve planning and recruitment, expand training opportunities and address staffing challenges, particularly in rural and remote areas.
Passing legislation to allow Albertans more choice and access to preventative health services including elective testing, screening and other diagnostic services.
Advancing implementation of the Rural Health Action Plan to address rural and remote health challenges such as access to health care professionals.
Continuing to implement the Modernizing Alberta’s Primary Health Care System initiative to improve health outcomes for Indigenous Peoples by ensuring services are culturally safe, respectful and appropriate.

“Albertans deserve a modern, accessible health system focused on prevention and results. We will expand preventative care, improve access for rural and Indigenous communities and ensure everyone receives timely, high-quality health services.”

Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services

Hospital and Surgical Health Services

The Premier tasks Minister Matt Jones with:

Fully implementing a competitive, activity-based funding model for insured surgical services to reduce wait times, improve patient experience and deliver better value for taxpayers.
Meaningfully improving emergency health services response times and cutting emergency room wait times.
Increasing transparency by publicly tracking and disclosing online, wait times for all common surgeries and related health care services.
In coordination with the Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services, transitioning non-acute patients in hospitals to alternative settings outside of the hospital that are more appropriate to their health status and needs.

“Albertans deserve safe, reliable and accessible health care. I am prioritizing improvements to hospital and surgical services, expanding access across the province and ensuring patients receive the care they need when they need it.”

Matt Jones, Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services

Mental Health and Addiction

The Premier tasks Minister Rick Wilson with:

Collaborating with the Minister of Indigenous Relations as well as First Nations and Métis communities to implement the Compassionate Intervention Act while establishing required regulations and operational processes for the compassionate intervention program.
Completing construction and operationalizing all 11 planned recovery communities, including five in partnership with Indigenous communities, and two new compassionate intervention centres.
In partnership with CASA Mental Health, building and operationalizing three new youth mental wellness centres planned for Calgary, Fort McMurray and Medicine Hat, as well as a fourth facility to consolidate and expand programming in Edmonton.
Continuing to expand prevention and early intervention mental health supports for children and youth that are integrated with the education system, including resiliency and drug education.

“As the Minister of Mental Health and Addiction, I am focused on advancing the Alberta Recovery Model to ensure anyone struggling with mental health or addiction challenges has the opportunity to pursue recovery. What we have accomplished so far in building recovery-oriented care is making a real difference in the lives of so many individuals and families that we need to keep the momentum going. In partnership with our front-line health professionals, community providers and partner ministries, we know we can make recovery possible for thousands of Albertans.”

Rick Wilson, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction

Assisted Living and Social Services

The Premier tasks Minister Jason Nixon with:

As lead, working with the Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services to transition non-acute patients from hospitals to alternative, more appropriate care settings that meet their health needs.
Advancing the government’s housing strategy by removing barriers and incentivizing the construction of new homes and rental units, in collaboration with municipalities and the federal government.
Expanding seniors’ lodges and facilities in partnership with providers to address increased growth and demand.
Implementing the Alberta Disability Assistance Program and related reforms that create stronger pathways to employment for Albertans with disabilities.
As lead, working with the President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance to develop a coordinated approach across government for income-tested programs to improve alignment and streamline benefit application processes for Albertans.

“Albertans elected us to deliver results, and that’s exactly what we’re doing. Whether it’s building more affordable housing, expanding seniors’ care, or making record investments to combat homelessness, we’ve turned vision into action. With my new mandate, we’ll carry that momentum forward, making life better for Albertans today and strengthening Alberta for tomorrow.”

Jason Nixon, Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services

Related information

Getting the job done for Albertans: A new era of care

NationTalk Partners & Sponsors Learn More