Budget focused on supporting the wellness of Albertans

By Lethbridge Herald on February 27, 2026.

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman

Lethbridge Herald

Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services, Jason Nixon says Budget 2026 reflects a steadfast commitment to ensuring Albertans have access to quality assisted living, disability supports and essential health services. 

“By increasing investments and expanding essential programs, we’re building a province where every individual is supported and empowered to reach their full potential,” says Nixon.  

Budget 2026 will allocate $5.9 billion for Assisted Living Alberta and Continuing Care – an increase of more than $495 million from last year – to provide wraparound medical and non-medical supports, home care, community care and social services. 

This includes more than $145 million to help patients who no longer need acute care transition to the appropriate care in their community. 

Budget 2026 will also allocate $3.4 billion dedicated to disability supports ensuring Albertans with disabilities continue to receive benefits and access to essential supports.  

To address mental health and addiction supports, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction, Rick Wilson says Budget 2026 is committed to ensuring the wellness of Albertans remains front and centre. 

“Budget 2026 continues to build out the Alberta Recovery Model, ensuring that those facing addiction or mental health challenges have the supports they need, when they need them,” says Wilson. 

Budget 2026 supports recovery with $2.0 billion to support addiction and mental health services to increase access to the supports Albertans require to pursue recovery. 

This includes:

• $1.7 billion for Recovery Alberta as the primary provider of mental health and addiction services.

• $30 million to continue expanding mental health classrooms and providing clinical supports for students with complex mental health needs.

• $29.6 million to operationalize and open five Indigenous recovery communities this year, bringing – culturally safe, live-in addiction treatment to Indigenous Peoples and communities disproportionately impacted by the addiction crisis.

• $26 million for 30 psychiatric beds and 60 critically needed community-based beds within the mental health and addiction system, for those who no longer need inpatient care in hospitals, which helps to reduce pressures across the acute care system. 

• $319 million over three years to build secure infrastructure needed for the implementation of compassionate intervention to help those experiencing the most severe forms of addiction and substance use access care. 

• $82 million over three years in capital funding to finish building and establishing recovery communities.