The government of Alberta is taking steps to address its physician shortage by expanding medical education and streamlining the licensing process for international doctors.
In a letter addressed to Stettler Town Council, Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services Adriana LaGrange noted the government is expanding medical school capacity to train over 100 additional physicians per year.
Regional training centres are being developed in Lethbridge and Grande Prairie through partnerships with the University of Lethbridge and Northwestern Polytechnic.
Meanwhile, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) is making changes to how qualified physicians trained abroad can be licensed.
As of June 9, 2025, a new route allows doctors from approved jurisdictions to bypass the previous practice readiness assessment and qualify directly for licensing without sponsorship.
The province saw a four per cent increase in the number of physicians in 2024, adding 474 new doctors.
Author: Landin Chambers
Landin Chambers is a news reporter for Hometown Media Stettler. He has a background in broadcast news, with previous roles in Prince George, Red Deer and Calgary. You may also see him as a cameraman for the Stettler Wildcats and Stettler Imperials. Have a story idea? Email: lchambers@htproductionsmedia.ca
