Alberta’s government is committed to delivering the highest quality of health care to every Albertan — no matter where they live. That’s why Budget 2025 includes a significant $330 million investment over three years to improve health care infrastructure in rural communities across the province.
This commitment includes $15 million to launch the new Rural Hospital Enhancement Program and an additional $315 million to support existing capital projects and programs that will deliver long-term value and maximize benefits for rural Albertans. These investments reflect our ongoing focus on strategic capital planning that will reduce wait times, expand access to care, and improve services for all Albertans.
The Rural Hospital Enhancement Program will play a critical role in improving rural health care by ensuring that facilities are upgraded and modernized based on detailed assessments and the unique needs of each community. Through this program, United Conservatives will continue to make data-driven decisions, ensuring that resources are appropriately deployed to address the areas with the greatest need. In its first phase, the program will evaluate 20 rural health care facilities across Alberta, laying the groundwork for timely and effective capital planning.
Alongside this initiative, Budget 2025 provides support for active and planned capital projects. Funding is invested to complete projects under the Rural Health Facilities Revitalization Program, develop new primary care centres in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities, and move forward with major infrastructure projects.
More than 18 per cent of Albertans live in rural and remote areas, and that number is expected to grow by 20 per cent by 2051. Budget 2025 directly supports this growing population by enhancing local access to essential services and reducing the need for long-distance travel to urban hospitals. These improvements will not only relieve pressure on larger urban facilities but also support the overall well-being of families living in rural Alberta.
These initiatives align with the Rural Health Action Plan 2024–2027, a guiding framework that supports the ongoing refocusing of Alberta’s health care system. The Action Plan complements other priority work, including the Modernizing Alberta’s Primary Health Care System (MAPS) program and Alberta’s Health Workforce Strategy. Together, these efforts focus on improving workforce capacity, enhancing access to care, and promoting wellness in communities across the province.
With Budget 2025, Alberta’s government is meeting the challenge of building a stronger, more resilient health care system. By investing in rural health infrastructure, we are ensuring that all Albertans — regardless of where they live—can access timely, effective, and high-quality care close to home.
Alberta is entering a new era of recycling and waste management to keep more waste out of landfills. Starting April 1, Alberta’s new extended producer responsibility (EPR) will begin reducing waste, improving recycling programs and saving communities and taxpayers money. The province-wide shift to EPR includes programs, services and communities transforming throughout 2025 and 2026, which will ultimately keep thousands of kilograms of waste out of Alberta landfills.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this or any issue, please contact my constituency office at 403 782 7725 or Lacombe.ponoka@assembly.ab.ca.
