Overview

The 2026 agreement recognizes the critical role physicians play in Alberta’s health care system with fair, nationally competitive compensation, while ensuring the system remains sustainable for the future. The Government of Alberta will implement the agreement with a clear focus on strengthening physician services and improving care for Albertans across the province. 

The agreement will be in force for 3 fiscal years, from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2029. It reflects a $435 million increase in physician spending over the next two years, in addition to the $7.7 billion provided in Budget 2026. Further investments will come in the third year of the agreement.    

Highlights

  • Compensation

    • 3% rate increase in 2026-27.
    • 2.5% rate increase in 2027-28.
    • The government and the AMA will work collaboratively to determine rate increases for 2028-29, with access to binding arbitration if an agreement cannot be reached.

  • Physician support programs

    • $21 million increase for parental leave and continuing medical education.
      • Parental leave: increase from $1,047/week to $2,000/week with coverage extended from 17 weeks to 20 weeks.
      • Continuing medical education: increase from $2,200 per physician to $3,400 per physician annually.

  • Enhancements to Physician On-Call Program funding

    • $40 million annual increase for the expansion of the Physician-On Call Program to 24/7 coverage.

  • Recruitment and retention of rural-based physicians

    • An additional $30 million annual increase for the Rural Remote Northern Program to strengthen Alberta’s recruitment and retention of rural-based physicians.
      • A Rural Recruitment and Retention Committee will be created to consider and advise on options for a Rural Primary Care Physician Compensation Model, among other initiatives.

  • Practice viability

    • The Business Costs Program will continue at current rates. This program provides a premium to support physicians’ business costs, with greater impact on family physicians and specialists in office-based practices.
      • The Business Costs Program payment rate went from $2.95 to $3.59, effective April 1, 2022.

  • Working collaboratively

    • The government and the AMA will work collaboratively to determine rate increases for 2028-29, with access to binding arbitration if an agreement cannot be reached.
    • The agreement outlines joint committees/working groups to review the Good Faith Claims policy.
    • The Resource Stewardship Optimization Working Group will continue making recommendations to the Management Committee.

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