The latest data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) shows Alberta is expanding its health care workforce faster than anywhere else in Canada, performing more surgeries per capita than the national average, and offering physician compensation above the national average to deliver faster, more reliable care for Albertans.
Since 2019, the province has increased the number of surgeries by 15 per cent, tied for the best in Canada, four per cent higher than national average. The province is also performing more surgeries per capita than the Canadian benchmark, with 606 procedures per 10,000 residents in 2025–26, compared with 584 nationally.
“Albertans deserve access to world-class health care, and these numbers show we're making real progress. We're building a stronger health care system and making Alberta a premier destination for health care professionals across Canada.”
The CIHI data also show that Alberta added nearly 750 physicians last year, expanding the workforce at more than twice the national rate, and is not slowing down. The latest data from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) shows a record 14,661 physicians were registered across the province, as of Sept. 30, 2026. This represents an increase of 1,244 in registered physicians compared with the same period last year. Alberta also offers competitive physician compensation, with average payments to doctors about three per cent higher than the national average according to CIHI.
“Alberta is leading the country in physician growth, and our government is focused on building on that momentum by strengthening primary care, improving access to family doctors and ensuring more Albertans can get the care they need, closer to home.”
According to CIHI, Alberta is also leading the country in nursing workforce growth. In 2024, Alberta led all provinces in nursing growth, adding nurses at almost 2.5 times the rate of British Columbia and more than triple the rate of Ontario. This means that Alberta is adding nurses faster than anywhere else to meet the needs of our rapidly growing population.
Alberta’s government is delivering results: growing its health care workforce, expanding surgical capacity and strengthening access to care for Albertans. The data shows that Alberta is building a stronger, more responsive health care system focused on getting Albertans the care they need, when they need it.
Quick facts
- According to the CIHI data:
- Alberta’s physician workforce increased by 6.3 per cent over the last year.
- The national average was 3.7 per cent.
- Eighty-six per cent of Albertans report having a regular primary care provider, outperforming the national average of 83 per cent. Notably, other data sources have placed Alberta even higher, at an 88 per cent attachment rate.
- Alberta recorded a net gain of 10.3 nurses per 10,000 residents, compared with 4.19 in British Columbia and 3.12 in Ontario.
- Alberta’s physician workforce increased by 6.3 per cent over the last year.
- According to CPSA, Alberta had 14,661 fully registered physicians as of Sept. 30, 2026, an increase of 1,244 year over year.
- According to CIHI’s recent 90th percentile length-of-stay data:
- Alberta patients are being admitted four hours faster than the national average.
- Less urgent patients who are discharged in Alberta are getting to go home more than an hour earlier in Alberta than the national average.