Alberta's health care landscape has officially entered a new era. As of late December 2025, the province's new legal structure for its health system is fully in place, marking a significant milestone in Premier Danielle Smith's reform agenda.
A New Framework for Health Delivery
Premier Smith confirmed the operational status of the new system during an interview with The Canadian Press in Calgary on Thursday, December 11, 2025. The restructuring represents one of the most substantial overhauls of Alberta Health Services (AHS) in recent years, moving from a centralized model to a more decentralized one.
The core change involves dissolving the single, province-wide health authority into four new sector-specific organizations. These new entities will focus on primary care, acute care, continuing care, and mental health & addiction services. The goal, as stated by the government, is to improve accountability, streamline decision-making, and bring health care governance closer to local communities.
Premier Smith's Focus Shifts to Outcomes
With the legal and administrative framework now established, Premier Smith has made it clear that her attention is turning squarely to performance. "The structure is set," Smith indicated. "Now, we need to see the results that Albertans expect and deserve."
The Premier's comments suggest a period of heightened scrutiny on the new health entities. Key performance indicators likely to be monitored include surgical wait times, emergency department throughput, access to family doctors, and capacity in continuing care facilities. The reforms were launched with the promise of reducing bureaucracy and redirecting resources to front-line services.
Context and Anticipated Impact
The restructuring legislation was passed by the Alberta legislature earlier in 2025, following extensive debate and consultation. Proponents argue that a decentralized model will allow each sector to develop specialized expertise and respond more nimbly to unique challenges.
However, critics, including some health policy experts and opposition members, have expressed concerns about potential fragmentation of services and increased administrative costs due to the creation of multiple new boards and executive teams. The transition period has aimed to ensure continuity of care for patients, with no disruption to existing health services during the legal shift.
The success of this ambitious reorganization will be measured in the coming months and years. All eyes will be on whether the new, more targeted structure can deliver on its core promises: shorter wait times, improved patient experiences, and a more sustainable health system for Alberta's future.
