Reducing Red Tape in Alberta’s Continuing Care System

Issue

Duplicative and uncoordinated provincial oversight imposes unnecessary administrative burden on Alberta’s continuing-care operators.

Background

Alberta’s continuing care system is a publicly funded, privately delivered service model that relies on independent non-profit and private operators to deliver care under fixed provincial rates and legislated standards. Continuing-care operators are limited in their ability to adjust pricing, service levels, or business models in response to operational challenges, while uncoordinated regulatory and reporting requirements are a well-documented business constraint.

Recommendations

The Alberta Chambers of Commerce recommends that the Government of Alberta:

1. Conduct a consolidated review (in consultation with sector advocacy groups and experts) of continuing care reporting, audit, and inspection requirements across all relevant ministries and agencies.
2. Establish a coordinated and standardized reporting framework for continuing-care operators.
3. Include continuing-care regulatory and oversight processes within Alberta’s red-tape reduction and regulatory review cycle.