ABmunis to the table on Rural Health
On May 25, 2026, Alberta Municipalities (ABmunis) joined key rural health and municipal partners for the inaugural meeting of the Government of Alberta’s new Rural Health Collaborative Group. The initiative is designed to strengthen collaboration across sectors and advance health equity in rural and remote communities.
The Collaborative Group brings together organizations including the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA), Rural Health Professionals Action Plan (RhPAP), the Rural Development Network (RDN), and Health Cities. The group is expected to meet up to four times annually to identify shared priorities, challenges, and opportunities affecting rural and remote communities.
ABmunis was invited to participate following a year of relationship-building with the Rural Health Branch, and after highlighting to Minister LaGrange that nearly 80 per cent of ABmunis members represent communities with populations under 5,000.
The first meeting focused on introductions—each organization sharing its role in rural health, key priorities, and areas of focus. The next meeting, scheduled for November, will begin identifying indicators to track progress over time.
This is a small but meaningful step: effective advocacy isn’t always visible, but it often shows up as a seat at the table. ABmunis will continue to bring forward municipal perspectives to help shape solutions that work for Alberta communities.
