Strengthening rural healthcare
Alberta Municipalities (ABmunis) partnered with the Rural Health Professionals Action Plan (RhPAP) and Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) to explore the connection between healthcare, municipalities, and rural communities during a January 22 webinar. The session drew nearly 120 participants and generated a strong discussion on recruitment and retention, the practical support RhPAP offers, and shared healthcare advocacy priorities.
ABmunis highlighted more than a decade of successful advocacy on Nurse Practitioners—work driven by member resolutions and on-the-ground leadership. Our efforts supported increases in funding, integration with Primary Care Networks, and legislative changes that expanded the scope of practice for Nurse Practitioners. Members have turned this advocacy into meaningful local impact, including the Town of Wembley’s Nurse Practitioner led clinic, which is expected to serve 2,700 patients.
We also shared our 2026 plans to advocate on access to healthcare. As the Nurse Practitioner example shows, ABmunis’ advocacy includes strengthening relationships across government, creating opportunities for member–government dialogue, and contributing to key health policy tables. This year, we will focus on clarifying the municipal role in healthcare and supporting members with practical tools for recruitment, retention, and collaborative advocacy—along with new partnerships in midwifery and continued engagement with Alberta’s evolving health system.
You can view the webinar here.
Explore more of the supports that RhPAP offers to rural communities here.
