Alberta to lead country in cancer care with new partnership, significant investment

The province of Alberta is partnering with Siemens Healthineers, a European biotechnology company, to improve cancer treatments for Albertans.

In a press release on March 21, Premier Danielle Smith and Health Minister Adriana LaGrange announced that the province is entering into a partnership with Siemens Healthineers and the Alberta Cancer Foundation so that everyone can have improved outcomes, reduced wait times and enhanced early detection.

As part of the partnership, Alberta will be investing $800 million over eight years to replace and update oncology equipment that is reaching the end of its life.

“This investment will position our province as a leader in cancer care by leveraging artificial intelligence, attracting health care professionals and supporting researchers in developing innovative cancer care solutions,” said Smith. “From prevention to detection to treatment, we are ensuring Albertans facing cancer receive the best care available.”

According to the release, the partnership and financial investment will work to “leverage artificial intelligence, create two centres of excellence in cancer care and establish a medical research and innovation fund to attract and retain global talent in Alberta.

The release notes that with the partnership, cancer-related emergency department visits could be reduced by 30 per cent and wait times for cancer treatment could be reduced by 50 per cent. 

As part of the partnership, Siemens Healthineers will update oncology equipment that is at the end of its life and introduce new and more effective technology with a potentially significant impact on patients. 

Siemens Healthineers is investing $175 million into the partnership to support the centres of excellence and advance research.

“This partnership will reduce wait times and patient expenses while increasing capacity across the health care system,”  said LaGrange. “It will also provide a significant return on investment into targeted oncology areas like education, research, artificial intelligence and machine learning to better support patients and our workforce.”

The release notes that with the province’s growing and aging population, cancer cases and wait times are rising. Introducing artificial intelligence-enabled technology could shorten the time between consultation and treatment from weeks to hours, according to the release.

One centre of excellence will be established in both Calgary and Edmonton. 

The Learning Centre of Excellence in Cancer Care will be based at the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre and be the first oncology training, learning, and reference site in the country.

The Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence in Cancer Care will be developed as a stand-alone facility in Edmonton, and “create a cancer-focused artificial intelligence and machine learning program, bringing global expertise to Alberta to improve operations and the delivery of care.”

An additional part of the partnership will see the creation of a medical research and innovation fund with the Alberta Cancer Foundation and Siemens Healthineers each contributing $24 million, for a $48 million total investment.

The Alberta Cancer Foundation will manage the fund and identify projects funds can be used for.

“This is a major leap forward for cancer care in Alberta and will fuel vital cancer research,” said Wendy Beauchesne, CEO of Alberta Cancer Foundation. “We’re proud to be a partner in moving the needle here at home and a catalyst for bringing more effective, personalized treatments to patients sooner. This is a truly remarkable day for Alberta.”

Beyond cancer funding, Smith and LaGrange also announced additional funding for the Diagnostic Imaging Enhancements Program.

A total of $168 million will be allocated over three years in an effort to reduce diagnostic imaging services wait times.

The funds include the purchase of cancer-specific diagnostic imaging equipment and other “critical equipment” to expand and modernize diagnostic imaging capabilities across the province.

Additionally, $2.2 billion has been allocated to diagnostic and therapeutic services in 2025 and 2026. $90 million over three years has been allocated to support small equipment purchases under the Medical Equipment Replacement Program.