Alberta Health Care Access: A Critical Factor for Buyers, Sellers & Investors in 2025

For many buyers, sellers, and real estate investors, access to reliable, high-quality health care is more than a convenience—it's a critical factor in choosing where to live or invest. In Alberta, the evolving health care system has sparked concerns, particularly amid recent structural reforms and service delivery challenges. These realities directly influence real estate decisions, especially in the province's fastest-growing markets.

Alberta’s Health Care System: Current Status and Challenges

In 2024–2025, Alberta began transitioning from a centralized system under Alberta Health Services (AHS) to a more segmented structure, creating four specialized agencies focused on:

• Primary Care

• Acute Care

• Continuing Care

• Mental Health & Addiction Services

This shift, announced by Premier Danielle Smith, is aimed at decentralizing service delivery and improving efficiency in health outcomes. The changes follow public pressure related to:

• Prolonged emergency wait times

• Surgical backlogs

• Delays in ambulance response times, especially in rural areas

• Limited access to family doctors and specialists

Despite these initiatives, challenges persist. Alberta's health care system, while receiving substantial funding, often yields outcomes that are average compared to other Canadian provinces . Issues such as hospital overcrowding and limited access to specialized care remain prevalent.

Expert Assessments

According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) and the North American Observatory on Health Systems and Policies:

• Alberta spends more per capita on health care than most provinces, but outcomes remain mid-tier nationally.

• Emergency wait times in Calgary and Edmonton are among the longest in Canada.

• Primary care access is more limited in rural markets like Grande Prairie, Red Deer, and Lethbridge.

(Source: CIHI, 2025, NAO Health Observatory, 2024)

Health Workforce Exodus: A Growing Concern for Real Estate Stakeholders

Alberta is currently facing a significant departure of health care professionals, raising alarms for both the health system and those considering real estate decisions in the province. Recent surveys from 2024 and early 2025 show that over 60% of family physicians are contemplating leaving Alberta’s health care system, with 91% citing financial viability concerns—especially those operating outside Alberta Health Services. Many are considering early retirement or relocating to other provinces where compensation and stability are more favourable. The situation is equally dire among nurses. A 2025 poll by the Alberta Association of Nurses found that 68% are considering exiting the profession within five years, with that number rising to 73% among those aged 20 to 30. Additionally, a 2022 report from the Montreal Economic Institute revealed that 48% of Alberta nurses under age 35 had already left the field, a rate significantly above the national average. Core issues driving this exodus include unsustainable compensation models, staff burnout, and the uncertainty caused by the restructuring of Alberta’s health care system. These developments are translating to longer wait times, reduced care access, and mounting pressure on the remaining workforce. For real estate buyers, sellers, and investors in 2025, these systemic weaknesses increasingly represent market risk factors that may affect both desirability and long-term property values in affected communities.

How Alberta Health Care Access Impacts Real Estate Markets

For real estate stakeholders, Alberta’s health care restructuring introduces both risks and opportunities:

• Buyers—especially families, retirees, and those with chronic health conditions—may reconsider communities with inadequate access to primary or emergency care.

• Sellers in markets with poor health care access may face longer days on market (DOM) due to reduced buyer interest.

• Investors seeking long-term value should factor in future infrastructure commitments, as health care amenities are increasingly tied to neighbourhood desirability and property appreciation.

Alberta Real Estate Markets (Health Access Summary)

Market	Health Care Overview
Calgary	Major hospitals, but long ER wait times remain a concern
Edmonton	High-level care available; system backlog affects service delivery
Red Deer	Regional hospital overburdened; wait times increasing
Lethbridge	Access to family doctors limited; care improving with new clinics
Grande Prairie	New hospital opened in 2021, but specialist shortages persist
Medicine Hat	Adequate emergency care, but lacks full-range specialized services
Airdrie	Relies on Calgary; lacks full-service hospital
St. Albert	Strong access to Edmonton facilities
Leduc	Proximity to Edmonton boosts access; primary care services growing
Spruce Grove	Dependent on Edmonton; limited local emergency coverage

Top Canadian Markets for Comparison

Market	Health Care Strengths
Ottawa, ON	Top-tier public and private health access
Halifax, NS	Good access, expanding specialized services
Victoria, BC	High-performing primary care system
Winnipeg, MB	Strong hospital system; challenges with primary care
Saskatoon, SK	Mid-level services with ongoing investment in care infrastructure
Toronto, ON	Premier hospitals, but overcrowding and high demand affect timelines
Vancouver, BC	Excellent care options, with long wait times due to high population
Fredericton, NB	Stable and improving local access
Charlottetown, PE	Limited specialists, strong general care
Montreal, QC	Mixed reviews; language barriers and long wait times cited by patients

Top Alberta Markets

1. Calgary: As Alberta's economic hub, Calgary offers a robust real estate market with a diverse range of properties. The city is also home to several major hospitals and specialized health care facilities.

2. Edmonton: The provincial capital boasts a stable housing market and is equipped with comprehensive health care services, including the University of Alberta Hospital.

3. Lethbridge: Known for its affordability and growing agri-processing industry, Lethbridge provides access to essential health care services, making it attractive for families and retirees.

4. Airdrie: Proximity to Calgary and a family-friendly environment make Airdrie a popular choice, with access to health care facilities in nearby urban centers.

5. Leduc: With its strategic location near Edmonton and the Edmonton International Airport, Leduc offers both economic opportunities and access to metropolitan health care services

Top Canadian Markets

1. Fredericton, NB: Offers affordable housing and a growing economy, with access to regional health care facilities.

2. Saint John, NB: Known for its historic charm and affordability, Saint John provides essential health care services suitable for families and retirees.

3. Ottawa, ON: As the nation's capital, Ottawa combines a strong real estate market with some of the country's top health care institutions.

4. Halifax, NS: This coastal city offers a balanced lifestyle with access to comprehensive health care services.

5. Saskatoon, SK: With a growing economy and expanding health care infrastructure, Saskatoon is becoming increasingly attractive to investors.

Strategic Takeaways for Real Estate Stakeholders

• Prioritize Access: Look for communities with hospitals, walk-in clinics, or growing health care infrastructure—particularly if buying for a family or aging population.

• Watch for Health-Care-Inclusive Developments: Some newer master-planned communities are integrating medical clinics and wellness services on-site.

• Track Policy Changes: Future health care funding or policy decisions will continue to impact livability—and market values—in Alberta.

Looking ahead, Alberta’s future in health care service delivery is expected to remain in flux over the next three to five years as the province navigates its system overhaul. While the restructuring under Premier Danielle Smith’s plan may or may not improve specialization and reduce bottlenecks long-term, the transition could initially create service gaps and confusion, particularly in rural and underserved areas. The province’s population growth, driven by interprovincial migration, is expected to place additional pressure on an already stretched system unless matched by accelerated investment in facilities, staffing, and localized service delivery.

In contrast, provinces like British Columbia and Ontario are leading in health care growth and innovation—BC through its integrated primary care networks and mental health expansion, and Ontario through digital health investments and hospital infrastructure upgrades. Nova Scotia has also made notable strides in rural care and retention of health professionals. Without sustained investment and streamlined execution, Alberta health care access risks falling behind in national health care rankings, which could increasingly influence buyer and investor confidence in its real estate markets.

Stay Informed and Plan Strategically

Whether you're buying your next home, selling in a shifting market, or investing in Alberta real estate, staying informed about local health care systems is essential. Access to timely and quality health care is no longer just a lifestyle perk—it’s a deciding factor in real estate value, demand, and long-term risk management.

To connect with top-rated real estate professionals who understand your priorities—like access to health services—visit the Pro Search directory and get expert guidance tailored to your goals.