Monday, June 1: The Alberta government announces it is rolling out a “patient-focused funding” (PFF) model at a dozen hospitals across the province, tying funding to the number and types of surgeries performed. Interim Acute Care Alberta CEO David Diamond says this first phase will focus on public facilities, later incorporating procedures in private facilities, calling this a “learning year.”
Read more: Why Can’t You Get a Family Doctor?
Tuesday, June 2: Premier Danielle Smith estimates that the startup cost for the province to separate from Canada would be $400-billion, including Alberta’s share of the national debt, border controls, tariffs and NATO costs, with an additional $25-billion–$50-billion in annual costs. Alberta Prosperity Project lawyer Jeffrey Rath called Smith’s estimate “completely false,” adding, “It’s obviously a lot less than that, but who cares? Let’s just get out. We’ll be so much better off.”
Read more: Independently Poor
Wednesday, June 3: The UCP government announces that as of July 2, Albertans will be able to get a new ID card combining their drivers license, healthcare number and proof of citizenship. In late 2025 the province’s privacy commissioner raised concerns over the inclusion of healthcare numbers and citizenship status. The new cards will also replace the image of a dinosaur with that of a pumpjack.
Read more: Should Permanent Residents be Able to Vote in Municipal Elections?
Thursday, June 4: A Leger poll suggests 73 per cent of Albertans think the province should remain in Canada, with only 15 per cent thinking it should become independent. The poll suggests 56 per cent of Albertans think the referendum question and ongoing separation discussions will harm the provincial economy.
Read more: Should Alberta Separate?
Friday, June 5: The Alberta government releases its Passenger Rail Master Plan, with the first steps involving spending $15-million over the next three years exploring the prospect for rail connections between Calgary and Edmonton and their respective airports. The plan suggests Edmonton and Calgary could in 30 years be connected via a high-speed train.
Read more: Edmonton to Calgary in an Hour
The Week in Alberta is updated weekdays by 4:30pm MT.
