SAC-Alberta Monitoring Bill 55: Health Statutes Amendment Act

Passed into law on May 7, 2025, Bill 55 introduces significant changes to Alberta’s healthcare system, particularly in the governance and delivery of public health services.

Key highlights:

• Public Health Reorganization: All public health functions from Alberta Health Services (AHS) to a newly created agency, Primary Care Alberta.
• Impact on Front-Line Programs: Services such as newborn screenings, communicable disease control, well-baby clinics, routine immunizations, and health promotion programs will be transferred to the new agency.
• Government Oversight: Medical officers of health will now report directly to the provincial government rather than AHS.

These changes have also introduced some temporary uncertainty as it remains unclear which AHS employees will be affected. Negotiations with the various healthcare unions in Alberta may be required to determine the outcome of staff reallocations.

Lastly, this legislation has caused public health experts to raise questions about the independence of the healthcare system and what effects having more direct control by the Premier and cabinet ministers may have.

SAC-Alberta is monitoring the situation closely and will continue to seek opportunities to attend consultation sessions and raise the concerns of SAC members.

You can read more in this news article.

Dernière mise à jour le 29 mai 2025

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