EDMONTON — Alberta physicians have ratified a new master agreement with the provincial government covering compensation and the future delivery of physician services.
The Alberta government announced Monday that members of the Alberta Medical Association had approved the proposed agreement following negotiations with the province.
Hospital and Surgical Health Services Minister Adriana LaGrange said the agreement provides a new foundation for the relationship between physicians and the health-care system.
“This agreement marks an important new chapter for Alberta’s physicians, patients and our health care system,” LaGrange said.
She said the deal is intended to provide physicians with nationally competitive compensation while maintaining the long-term financial sustainability of the publicly funded health-care system.
“Physician compensation and long-term fiscal responsibility are not competing priorities – they depend on one another,” LaGrange said.
The government did not provide financial terms or other details of the agreement in its statement announcing the ratification.
LaGrange thanked the AMA and its members for their work during the negotiations and said the province can now focus on strengthening physician services and improving patient care.
Finance Minister Jason Nixon described the ratification as a positive step for Alberta’s health-care system.
“This agreement represents a fair and balanced deal that supports physicians, strengthens care for Albertans, and is responsible for taxpayers – protecting the long-term sustainability of our publicly funded health care system,” Nixon said.
The Alberta Medical Association represents physicians across the province in negotiations and other matters involving the health-care system.
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