(Government of Alberta/Chris Schwarz)

By Erika Rolling

WATCH

Rural health care facilities see investments in Budget 2025

Mar 31, 2025 | 4:53 PM

The provincial government says twenty rural health care facilities could be improved through their new Rural Hospital Enhancement Program.

Health Minister Adriana LaGrange announced Monday that $15 million will be allocated for this program if Budget 2025 is passed.

“It is critical that we take an evidence based approach to planning, and this program will do just that, so once evaluations are complete later this spring, we will be developing project plans for each facility, which will then be used to inform future capital planning and funding decisions,” said LaGrange.

She expects Phase One project plans to be finished by this fall. This would allow for design and construction funding in 2026.

That includes:

• 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

“This expedited capital planning process will lead to rural facilities getting the upgrades they need sooner; improving access to care, patient experience, and health outcomes for rural Albertans,” added LaGrange.

She also noted that $315 million could potentially support other capital health care projects in Budget 2025 as well.

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

The province says 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.

“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,” commented Minister of Infrastructure Martin Long.

Funding dollars are also being allocated for the Rural Health Facilities Revitalization Program that was created in 2021. The total funding for the program was $140 million for 44 projects in rural communities across Alberta. Another $25 million dollars is to go towards this in 2025-26 to complete the remaining projects being supported by this particular program.