The Alberta government has launched a bold 10-year roadmap aimed at transforming cancer care, promising to boost screening, accelerate diagnoses and expand the provincial oncology workforce.
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Alberta’s Strategic Plan for Cancer to 2036 outlines more than 40 commitments over the next decade. The strategy focuses on five key pillars: expanding cancer prevention, delivering seamless state-of-the-art care, driving clinical research innovation, building system sustainability and aggressively recruiting healthcare workers.
Health officials say the overhaul comes at a critical time, as data shows approximately one in two Albertans is expected to develop cancer in their lifetime.
“As a cancer survivor, I know first-hand how deeply cancer affects individuals and families,” Adriana LaGrange, minister of hospital and surgical health services, said on June 23. “This 10-year plan is our roadmap to ensuring that Alberta isn’t just keeping up but leading the country when it comes to cancer care.”
To support the immediate rollout, the province is injecting $1.2 billion over three years into cancer care. This includes $223 million in new operating funding earmarked to hire more oncologists, expand surgical capacity, increase treatment spaces and improve rural access to supportive services.
Alberta currently has a record 205 oncologists. Officials noted that Cancer Care Alberta hired 26 oncologists over the last fiscal year, with an additional 23 scheduled to begin practicing by 2027.
The long-term plan also relies heavily on technology and modernization. In partnership with Siemens Healthineers and the Alberta Cancer Foundation, the province is investing $800 million over eight years to replace outdated oncology equipment, integrate artificial intelligence into treatment workflows, and establish two new cancer centres of excellence.
“This strategy sets a clear, long-term direction for transforming cancer care in Alberta,” said Brenda Hubley, managing director of Cancer Care Alberta. “It brings the whole system together to improve access, integrate care, drive innovation and ensure sustainability.”
Implementation of the strategy will be jointly led by Cancer Care Alberta and Acute Care Alberta, alongside various regional health agencies and community organizations.
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