Your Alberta Health Act – Principles

Share your views on the principles

As recommended by the Minister’s Advisory Committee on Health, principles will be central to an Alberta Health Act and will guide legislators, regulators and caregivers as they carry out their responsibilities.

Principles are statements that reflect our lasting values and beliefs as Albertans. As legislated commitments, the principles in the Alberta Health Act will guide decisions and choices that are made for our public health system in the future.

What principles have been proposed?

The Alberta Health Act will clearly state that Alberta is committed to the principles set out in the Canada Health Act:

  • Public administration;
  • Comprehensiveness;
  • Universality;
  • Portability; and
  • Accessibility

The Minister’s Advisory Committee on Health recommended that Alberta go further and put our own principles in an Alberta Health Act, including:

  • Putting people and their families at the centre of their health care.
  • Being committed to quality and safety.
  • Ensuring equitable access to timely and appropriate care.
  • Enabling decision-making using the best available evidence.
  • Being focused on wellness and public health.
  • Fostering a culture of trust and respect.

Share your views

Read what the Minister’s Advisory Committee on Health had to say about these principles and why they recommended them in their report. Then tell us what you think.

  • Read the Minister’s Advisory Committee on Health's report, PDF icon specifically pages 10–15: 
    • Why the Committee recommended principles be included in the new Health Act (page 10)
    • Principle: Put people and their families at the centre of their health care (page 11)
    • Principle: Be committed to quality and safety (page 12)
    • Principle: Ensure equitable access to timely and appropriate care (page 13)
    • Principle: Enable decision-making, using the best available evidence (page 14)
    • Principle: Be focused on wellness and public health (page 14)
    • Principle: Foster a culture of trust and respect (page 15)