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By Jett Schwaier
Health-care capacity growth

Alberta leads Canada in health-care workforce and surgical growth

Nov 4, 2026 | 10:16 AM

Alberta is expanding its health-care workforce faster than any other province, performing more surgeries per capita than the national average and paying physicians above the national average, as new data point to growth across the province’s health-care system.

Figures from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) show Alberta increased its surgical volumes by 15 per cent since 2019, tied for the highest growth nationally and four percentage points above the national average.

The province performed 606 surgeries per 10,000 residents in 2025-26, compared with the national average of 584.

Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services Adriana LaGrange said the numbers show progress in improving access to care.

“Albertans deserve access to world-class health care, and these numbers show we’re making real progress,” LaGrange said.

“We’re building a stronger health care system and making Alberta a premier destination for health care professionals across Canada.”

Alberta also added nearly 750 physicians last year, expanding its physician workforce at more than twice the national rate.

Data from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta shows a record 14,661 physicians were registered in the province as of Sept. 30, an increase of 1,244 compared with the same time last year.

The province’s average physician payments are also about three per cent higher than the national average, according to CIHI.

Justin Wright, Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services, says the province wants to build on that growth by improving access to primary care.

“Alberta is leading the country in physician growth, and our government is focused on building on that momentum by strengthening primary care, improving access to family doctors and ensuring more Albertans can get the care they need, closer to home,” Wright said.

Alberta also led the country in nursing workforce growth in 2024, adding nurses at almost 2.5 times the rate of British Columbia and more than three times the rate of Ontario.

The provincial government says it will continue working to expand health-care capacity and improve access to services across Alberta.

by Jett Schwaier