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(Image Credit: Maskwa Medical Centre)
By Nathaniel Leigh
Health

Maskwa medical Centre board answers public questions

Apr 8, 2026 | 12:00 PM

The Maskwa Medical Centre’s Board of Directors wants to clear up some misconceptions about the project.

The board has released a statement addressing common questions and stressing that the centre is not a private facility and will not change patient user fees.

The Board goes on to say they are not requesting loans or cash donations from municipalities but rather guarantees to secure the construction loan that will be reduced over time as additional capital is secured.

They say municipal participation reflects the reality that residents are the direct beneficiaries of improved health care access.

Once the construction is complete in 2027, the project will transition to conventional financings supported by the building lease revenue.

The Maskwa Medical Centre will be built next to the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital to improve specialist care, reduce visitors to GPRH’s emergency department, and expand the family physician residency training program.

You can read the board’s full statement below:

As municipal councils move forward with bylaws related to the Maskwa Medical Center, the Maskwa Board of Directors is providing clear information to residents to address common questions and misconceptions.

Maskwa Medical Center is a registered non-profit charity building a new medical facility adjacent to the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital to improve access to specialist care, reduce visitors to the GPRH emergency department and expand the University of Alberta family physician residency training program in Northwestern Alberta.

Maskwa is not a private facility.

  • Maskwa will not charge patient user fees.

What Is Being Requested from Municipalities

Maskwa is requesting that municipalities provide guarantees to secure the construction loan.

  • This is often misunderstood.
  • This is NOT a cash contribution 
  • This is NOT a loan 

Each municipality’s participation is:

  • Proportional — each municipality participates in ¼ of the obligation
  • Reduced over time as the loan is reduced by additional capital being secured through provincial contributions and on-going donor and fundraising campaigns

Once construction is complete in 2027, the project transitions to conventional financing supported by the building lease revenue.

A Self-Sustaining Facility — Not a Cost Burden

Maskwa Medical Center is designed to be financially self-sustaining from day one of operations.

Ongoing operations are supported through:

  • Long-term clinical leases 
  • Commercial and ancillary tenant leases within the building 

This ensures:

  • No ongoing reliance on municipal funding for operations of the building
  • No future cash calls to municipalities for operations of the building 
  • A stable, long-term healthcare asset for the region 

Why This Matters: The Real Cost to Residents Today

Today, residents of Northwestern Alberta are already paying a significant price to access specialist care.

Data from Alberta Health shows:

  • Over 2,000 patients per year travel from the northwest to Edmonton for internal medicine specialist care. 
  • These trips cost more than $5.7 million annually to patients and caregivers 

These are out-of-pocket costs borne directly by residents, including:

  • Travel and vehicle expenses 
  • Accommodation and meals 
  • Lost income and time away from family 

Maskwa is designed to reduce this burden by bringing care closer to home.

Improving Access, Outcomes, and System Efficiency Maskwa Medical Center will deliver:

  • A Specialist Clinic providing coordinated, team-based diagnosis and treatment planning
  • A University of Alberta Teaching Clinic to train and retain physicians locally 
  • On-site services such as pharmacy, daycare, and other supports that improve accessibility 

By enabling earlier diagnosis and timely, coordinated treatment, Maskwa will:

  • Improve long-term health outcomes 
  • Reduce pressure on hospital emergency departments 
  • Contribute to lowering overall healthcare system costs over time 

Built to Stand on Its Own

The project has been structured to ensure long-term independence and stability.

  • The building will generate revenue through leases to support operations 
  • Financing partners recognize the strength of the underlying business case 
  • Municipalities are not expected to operate or manage the facility at any point 

Addressing a Key Question: Why Municipal Involvement?

Municipal participation reflects the reality that local residents are the direct beneficiaries of improved healthcare access.

Maskwa, as a not-for-profit organization, does not have existing assets to pledge as security during construction.

The requested municipal guarantee bridges this gap — enabling a critical regional healthcare project to move forward. 

A Community-Led Solution

Maskwa Medical Center represents a collaborative effort by:

  • Municipal leaders 
  • Community donors 
  • Local businesses 
  • Healthcare partners 

It is a practical, community-driven solution to a long-standing gap in regional healthcare access.

Statement from the Maskwa Board of Directors

“Maskwa Medical Center is about improving access to care for our region — not creating barriers. This is a non-profit, community-led solution designed to serve residents, reduce costs, and strengthen healthcare access for decades to come.”

Closing

Maskwa Medical Center is a non-profit, self-sustaining healthcare initiative that:

  • Does not charge patients 
  • Directly addresses a critical regional healthcare gap

To learn more about Maskwa Medical Center, including project details, governance, and funding structure, please visit: http://www.maskwamedical.ca/

For questions and additional comments please contact:

Ken Drysdale, Chairman at 780-831-0796

Charles Longmate, President at 780-831-8103

by Nathaniel Leigh