Public, Private Parallel System for Surgeries Coming to Alberta, Premier Confirms

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith (R) stands with Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services Adriana LaGrange at a press conference in Calgary on May 16, 2025. The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntoshAlberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government will introduce changes allowing surgeries to be performed in the private sector as well as the public system, an initiative she says will help reduce wait times.The government says under its new proposed legislation, physician participation rules would be changed that would permit surgeons and surgical staff to perform both publicly and privately funded surgeries. The announcement on Nov. 19 comes a day after draft legislation outlining the changes was leaked to the media, sparking criticism from the opposition.