Rural Participation on the Integration Council for Refocusing Alberta’s Health System
IT IS THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT Alberta Municipalities advocate on behalf of rural and remote communities that the Government of Alberta immediately appoint a separate and dedicated general practitioner (GP) Generalist, and/or nurse practitioner as a voting member to the Health System Integration Council and within the new health board leadership structure to ensure that those who serve Albertans who live in rural and remote communities have an appropriate and continuous voice for their health care.
WHEREAS the Government of Alberta announced the “Refocusing Alberta’s Health Care System Initiative” to improve health outcomes and empower health care workers to deliver quality care across the province on November 8, 2023;
WHEREAS Ministerial Order 300/2024 established the Integration Council and its terms of reference;
WHEREAS the terms of reference states that the Integration Council will be chaired by the Minister of Health, with support from the Minister of Mental Health and Addiction, the Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services, and will have members from each new sector-specific provincial health agency;
WHEREAS the Government of Alberta released the Rural Health Action Plan 2024-2027, in October 2024, which states that “The discrepancies between the health care available to Albertans in and around large urban centres and those who live in rural or remote communities, has been a growing concern for many years. These communities face unique health care challenges that call for creative solutions that create more equitable access to health care that they want and deserve.”;
WHEREAS the Integration Council is missing the voice of health practitioners who have direct experience serving rural and remote areas. For example, a rural generalist is a general practitioner (GP), who provides a broad scope of medical care in a rural or remote setting. This includes comprehensive primary care, emergency medicine, and often specialized services like obstetrics, anesthesia, or mental health, tailored to the unique needs of the community. They are essential for ensuring access to healthcare in areas where resources and specialized services may be limited; and
The Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) adopted a similar resolution at their Spring 2025 Convention, resolution 5-25S, submitted by Mountain View County. The Town of Sundre recommends that ABmunis seek to collaborate with RMA in advocating for the inclusion of a rural based GP on the Integration Council. Rural and remote communities face health care challenges that are distinct from those faced by large urban communities, including limited access to specialists, lengthy travel times for care, and fewer resources to address mental health, continuing care, and addiction services. Additionally, key decision-making bodies lack adequate rural and remote community Generalists which perpetuates systemic inefficiencies and disparities in care for rural and remote communities while failing to acknowledge the distinct needs of these communities.
The province’s shift to a new integrated healthcare system – organized into four divisions: Primary Care, Acute Care, Continuing Care and Mental Health and Addictions – offers an opportunity to address these issues. However, the current structure of the Integration Council does not include a designated Generalist who can provide critical insight into the realities of rural and remote community’s health care.
We encourage and request that Alberta Municipalities advocate on behalf of rural and remote communities for the Government of Alberta to consider their unique needs before making decisions.
The Integration Council’s purpose, as defined by M.O. 300/2024 is:
- Identify means of integration of a single functioning health care system at the highest level of governance;
- Identify means of integration of the four new organizations;
- Identify efficiencies and means to remove barriers to the health system integration and to the patient journey;
- Monitor key outcomes of the Refocus initiative and support public reporting on performance of the health system related to the Refocus initiative so Albertans know if their health system is delivering better health outcomes for Albertans; and
- Identify deliberate change management strategies throughout the health system to support the Refocus initiative.
The current structure of the Integration Council is listed below (subject to change or as amended from time to time):
| VOTING MEMBERS | NON-VOTING MEMBERS |
| Minister, Health | Minister, Technology and Innovation |
| Minister, Mental Health | Deputy Minister, Technology and Innovation |
| Minister, Seniors, Community and Social Services | Chair, Health Quality Council of Alberta Board |
| Deputy Minister, Health | CEO, Health Quality Council of Alberta |
| Deputy Minister, Mental Health | CEO, Canadian Center Recovery Excellence |
| Deputy Minister, Seniors, Community and Social Services | |
| Chair, Alberta Health Services Board | |
| CEO, Recovery Alberta | |
| CEO, Primary Care Alberta | |
| Managing Director, Procurement and Optimization (Health) |
It is recognized that a member duly appointed to the Integration Council, the Honourable Jason Nixon, Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services (May 16, 2025), is also the Member of the Legislature for the Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre electoral district, consisting of rural and remote communities. However, ministerial appointments change and it is important that the council always have a voice of those who provide services in rural areas. The end goal is not just to benefit rural Albertans but also alleviate demand on healthcare services in larger urban areas.
A rural and remote community Generalist on the Integration Council and the new Health Care Leadership Board would provide an invaluable perspective on the challenges faced by patients located in these communities, from communication in referrals to navigating broader social determinants of health. It is crucial that rural and remote communities, which often rely heavily on team-based care models, have a voice in shaping health care policies and systems that affect them. Appointing a dedicated Generalist to the Integration Council and new Health Care Leadership Board will help ensure that Alberta’s health care system delivers equitable and effective care for all Albertans, regardless of geography.
ABmunis has not previously advocated on this specific issue; however, we have called for the province to meaningfully engage municipalities of all sizes in planning for healthcare needs.
If this resolution is passed, it will be forwarded to the Government of Alberta for response. Further advocacy will be determined by ABmunis’ Board based on input from ABmunis’ relevant policy committee within the context of ABmunis’ priorities and positions.