Budget 2026 contains funds for southern Alberta health - care projects

calgaryherald.com · Feb 26, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

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Or sign-in if you have an account.The province's 2026 budget touts a number of previously announced health-care projects in southern Alberta. Gavin Young/PostmediaThe Alberta government is advancing several promised rural health-care projects and expanding highway improvements already underway in southern Alberta.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorIts 2026-27 budget, released Thursday, includes a further $152 million for twinning a 25-kilometre stretch of Highway 3 between the hamlet of Seven Persons and Medicine Hat. The first phase of the larger project, started in 2024, involved twinning a 48-kilometre section between Taber and Burdett. A final $61 million to complete that work is included in this year’s budget.The government’s financial plan, which projects a deficit of $9.4 billion for the next fiscal year, includes capital spending of $28.3 billion over the next three years, $2.2 billion more than last year’s budget.Your weekday lunchtime roundup of curated links, news highlights, analysis and features.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Noon News Roundup will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againThose plans include $74 million over the next three years to replace the Cardston Health Centre and financial commitments to several other facilities. The province spent $1 million planning the work for the Cardston Health Centre last year.The new hospital — to serve the Town of Cardston, the Blood Tribe reserve and other nearby communities — will replace one of the province’s oldest hospitals, built in 1959.“Budget 2026 commits $28.3 billion in capital investment — strengthening the foundation Alberta families, workers and communities depend on,” Finance Minister Nate Horner said during his budget speech Thursday afternoon.Other southern Alberta projects in this year’s budget include three school projects — details are to be announced in the coming weeks — as well as $78 million in Local Government Fiscal Framework capital funding for southern Alberta municipalities.The budget also includes $59 million over the next three years toward a catheterization laboratory at Lethbridge’s Chinook Regional Hospital, and intensive-care unit capacity improvements at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital and Chinook Regional.“Budget 2026 makes crucial investments to expand and strengthen primary care, so every Albertan can get the care they need, when and where they need it,” Primary and Preventative Health Services Minister Adriana LaGrange said in a statement.Another $35 million is earmarked for continued development of the University of Lethbridge’s Rural Medical Teaching School, and $2 million for planning the Centre for Community Wellness at Medicine Hat College. The provincial government expects a recent deal with China will prove positive for Alberta’s canola industry. Meanwhile, the 2026 budget also forecasts an increase in cattle exports. Mike Drew/Postmedia fileMeanwhile, the government is forecasting “modest” growth for the province’s agriculture industry.It expects crop exports to benefit from “robust production” and a “relatively muted” Canadian dollar, and believes trade tensions will ease.While tariffs imposed by China and India significantly hit canola and pea exports, the province called Canada’s recent trade agreement with China on canola a “positive” development.Producers also face pressures, from weaker crop prices, high crop input costs and strong export competition, reads the budget document.“With these challenges, the sector is anticipated to grow modestly over the medium term as it adapts through continued market diversification and crop rotation,” budget documents state.The province projects cattle exports to rise, but adds trade challenges and policy changes, such as the “Product of USA” meat labelling rule that took effect Jan. 1, could reduce demand for Alberta meat and livestock to the U.S., Canada’s largest export market.Hog export values are also expected to see a modest rise in 2026.During the 2025-26 fiscal year, the province spent $705 million on disaster expenses, with crop insurance payments from last year’s drought conditions making up $619 million of that.But that figure was below average, with agriculture disaster and emergency assistance averaging $978 million per year the past 10 years, according to the Alberta government.Agriculture and Irrigation’s 2026-27 budget is $963 million, down $741 million from the 2025-26 third-quarter forecast. That 43-per-cent decrease is mainly due to $705 million in disaster and emergency expenses not continuing in the 2026 budget. Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.