If passed, Bill 11, the Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2025 (No. 2), would modernize physician participation rules to give doctors flexibility to work in both the public system and private settings. Dual practice would allow physicians to continue providing insured services through the provincial health insurance plan while also delivering private services.
Alberta’s government has looked to proven models in other jurisdictions to guide the development of a model that strengthens access while safeguarding the public system. Dual practice exists in New Brunswick and Quebec and is widely used in countries with top-performing health systems, including Denmark, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain and Australia.
“For years, governments across Canada have tried to fix long wait times by spending more money, yet the problem keeps getting worse. Alberta will not accept the status quo. Dual practice gives us a practical, proven tool that lets surgeons do more without asking taxpayers to pay more. It means shorter waits, better outcomes and a stronger health system for everyone.”
If passed, this dual practice model would be closely monitored to protect Alberta’s public health care system. The government, for example, would ensure that dual practice physicians maintain separate records for the services they provide, so no public funding subsidizes private services.
Bill 11 would include provisions to restrict participation, which could include:
- Mandating that surgeons in dual practice must perform a dedicated number or ratio of surgeries in the public system to be eligible to perform surgeries privately.
- Restricting specialties to public practice if shortages would compromise public care.
- Potentially restricting private practice to evenings, weekends or to underutilized rural sites, as required.
Alberta’s government remains committed to its public health guarantee: No Albertan will ever have to pay out of pocket to see their family doctor or to get the medical treatment they need. These proposed changes comply with the Canada Health Act.
Alberta’s government is also committed to getting Alberta’s dual practice model right and to taking a thoughtful approach to ensure the best path forward. At this time, family medicine providers will not be eligible to be flexible participants within this new model. The priority is to focus on making sure all Albertans have access to a primary care provider. Additionally, surgeries for life-threatening conditions such as cancer and emergency procedures will remain entirely publicly funded with no private option available.
“Albertans are waiting too long for the health care they need, so we are taking bold and decisive action to shorten wait times, increase access and give Albertans more choices over their own health care. At the same time, we will continue building a strong public health system where no one is denied access to the services they need because of an inability to pay.”
If passed, Bill 11 would create new options for doctors and patients. It would expand Alberta’s health system to provide more care by allowing doctors to treat more patients. Each time a patient chooses to pay for care in a private clinic or a clinic operating on evenings and weekends, for example, resources would be freed up so another patient could receive publicly funded care. This proposed new model would also support physician attraction and retention.
“As dual practice enhances flexibility for Albertans, physicians and medical professionals, safeguards will be established and utilized to protect and grow hospital and public health system capacity.”
“Albertans deserve choice and timely access to safe care, whether in a private or public setting. With the creation of the dual practice model, we can extend treatment options to patients while helping hospitals focus their resources on the highest-acuity patients.”
“I believe all options to improve access to health care for Albertans should be on the table. Therefore, the government’s dual practice legislation is a welcome option. Appropriate guardrails must be in place to ensure the spirit of the Canada Health Act is maintained.”
Quick facts
- Physicians would continue to bill the provincial plan for public services and may offer private services separately.
- Physicians may still choose to work entirely in public or entirely in private settings.
Related information
Related news
- Modernizing Alberta’s health care system (Nov. 24, 2025)
- Acute Care Action Plan delivers now (Nov. 14, 2025)