Alberta’s health-care crisis spurs emergency debate call by NDP

February 24, 2026

RED FM News Desk

Alberta is facing a severe health-care crisis, with mounting pressures affecting every part of the system. Reports indicate that patients are dying in emergency rooms before receiving care, and nearly one million Albertans lack access to a family doctor. Seniors and their families are raising safety concerns in continuing care facilities, while mental health services are increasingly unable to meet demand.

On Tuesday, Alberta’s New Democrats called for an emergency debate on the crisis as the legislature resumed. “Albertans are dying and this government needs to take action,” said Sarah Hoffman, Shadow Minister for Hospitals and Surgical Facilities, during a media briefing.

Hoffman was joined by Sharif Haji, Shadow Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services; the Honourable Lori Sigurdson, Shadow Minister of Seniors, Continuing Care and Homecare; and Dr. Luanne Metz, Chair of the NDP’s Commission on the Future of Health Care. Together, they urged the United Conservative Party (UCP) government to respond immediately with concrete measures to address the growing strain on the system.

The NDP emphasized the urgent need for increased funding, improved staffing, and expanded access to primary care and mental health services, warning that without swift action, more Albertans could face life-threatening delays in care.