Alberta’s Budget 2026 to add billions to hospitals, surgical services

Alberta Finance Minister Nate Horner said the province's investment in acute care from Budget 2026 will reassure Albertans that the government is addressing the right issues.

The Alberta government says billions in new investment is coming to the province’s acute care system under Budget 2026.

Hospital and Surgical Health Services Minister Matt Jones, Finance Minister Nate Horner and Acute Care Alberta interim CEO David Diamond announced funding details at Calgary’s Peter Lougheed Centre on Tuesday morning.\

“Budget 2026 takes decisive action to relieve pressures on Alberta’s health-care system, providing health professionals with the resources and infrastructure needed to deliver timely, high-quality care for all Albertans,” said Matt Jones, Alberta’s minister of hospital and surgical health services in a news release.

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The funding, which comes from the ministry’s three-year capital budget of $1.4 billion, includes $315 million to improve access in rural and remote hospitals, $63 million over two years to developing vacant spaces, increasing capacity and improving patient flow, and $330 million over three years “to support faster, safer surgeries.”

Tuesday’s announcement comes as the province defends its creation of a new administrative branch, also announced in Budget 2026 last week.

Health Shared Services began operating in December and will centralize human resources, payroll and IT functions for Alberta’s four health entities.

Officials say consolidating administrative services will allow more focus on frontline hospital care as the province works to reshape its health-care system.

Budget 2026, if passed, will invest $13.8 billion into the province’s health-care system, which the government says will expand hospital services and reduce wait times.

“Budget 2026 is focused on what matters to Albertans and that includes investing in the people and hospitals that deliver care when it’s needed most,” said Alberta Finance Minister Nate Horner.

“This historic $13.8 billion commitment ensures Albertans have timely access to high-quality health services.”