Better Health Care for Airdrie
First, it is important to recognize that health care is a provincial responsibility. The Alberta government is in charge of funding, building, and staffing facilities.
Second, Airdrie is the largest city in Alberta without a hospital. Families know what that means: long drives to Calgary, crowded waiting rooms, and uncertainty when every minute matters. “Deerfoot babies” should not be a thing.
As your next Mayor, I will not stay quiet about this. I will press for better health care for Airdronians and work with our community to push for real change.
That means:
Facilities
- Pressing for a provincial commitment to build an Airdrie community hospital, because upgrades at Urgent Care alone will not meet our needs, especially as we grow past 100,000.
- Calling for real outcomes from the $3 million (over three years) North Calgary/Airdrie health needs assessment, first included in the Province’s 2023 budget.
Services and Workers
- Launching a health worker attraction and retention program to bring more doctors, nurse practitioners, and specialists to Airdrie, with goals of ensuring a family doctor for every resident, expanding walk-in clinic hours, and creating access to overnight pharmacy services.
- Pressing to expand lab services, mental health facilities, and add diabetes care and dialysis care.
- Advocating for stronger EMS coverage with more ambulances, better response times, and local facilities to house crews.
Seniors and Hospice
- Supporting more long-term care, hospice, and continuing care campuses so seniors can remain in Airdrie with dignity.
Mothers and Families
- Advocating for expanded maternity and family health services so families do not have to leave the city for care.
Most importantly, I will amplify the voices of the Airdrie Health Foundation. They have been clear about the need for Emergency Department-style services in Airdrie, and it is past time those voices were truly heard.
Health care is about dignity. Calgary’s supports for the region are already stretched. Planning for Airdrie’s future means making sure every resident knows they and their loved ones will get care without delay.