Alberta Unveils Plan for Thousands of New Hospital Beds and Faster Surgeries

On November 15, 2025, the Alberta government unveiled an ambitious plan to address the province's healthcare challenges. The centerpiece of the plan is the addition of over 1,000 new acute care hospital beds in Edmonton and Calgary, including new bed towers at several major hospitals.

To tackle surgical backlogs, the province also aims to offer 50,000 more surgeries in the next 3 years by utilizing chartered surgical facilities to expand operating room capacity. Additionally, the plan includes measures to improve triage and patient flow at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, increase continuing care spaces, and expand psychiatric care.

While the plan's goals are welcomed, some experts express concerns. Dr. Braden Manns from the University of Calgary notes that simply adding beds may not be enough without the necessary staffing. He also suggests the province could better utilize existing operating room capacity in the public system before relying on private facilities.

The Alberta NDP's shadow minister, Sarah Hoffman, echoes these concerns, stating the government has not shown enough urgency in retaining medical staff and building new hospital capacity to meet the province's growing population needs.