Alberta’s government is investing $193 million to create nearly 8,000 new seats in high-demand post-secondary programs across the province.
Alberta continues to be the economic engine of Canada. Alberta’s economy has momentum and the government is focused on even more job creation and diversification. This investment will help ensure students can access the skills and training they need, close to home, to build successful careers and secure Alberta’s future.
The Budget 2023 funding represents Alberta’s single largest investment for a targeted enrolment expansion initiative. This historic investment builds off last year’s success, which saw Alberta’s government create nearly 10,000 new post-secondary seats across the province. This represented the largest targeted seat expansion in Alberta’s history.
“Last year, we announced an investment of $171 million to create 10,000 new spaces at our universities and colleges. Today, we are investing another $111 million to create another 3,000 spaces. This is the largest targeted expansion of seats in Alberta history and will ensure young Albertans can get into the programs they want, right here at home.”
Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Advanced Education
This $193-million investment will fund new seats in high-demand programs such as health care, technology and business, with:
- $87 million to continue programs announced in 2022 so students can complete their four-year programs.
- $10 million over three years to create more than 1,100 new seats for business, technology and other programs at 23 post-secondary institutions across the province.
- $6 million over four years to create 120 new seats in Mount Royal University’s bachelor of aviation management program.
- $3.6 million over three years in tech talent funding to create 300 new seats at five post-secondary institutions.
- $86 million to expand health care training programs with:
- $20 million over three years to create 120 new physician seats at the University of Calgary and the University of Alberta.
- $44 million over three years to create 1,400 new seats in health-related programs (registered nurses, health care aides, licensed practical nurses, nursing coordinators and supervisors, paramedical occupations and other technicians).
- $22 million over three years to create 2,100 additional seats in nurse bridging programs for internationally educated nurses.
“We are committed to growing our health care workforce and ensuring we have the spaces available for Alberta’s students to continue their education. The increase in post-secondary health care training program spaces will help address staffing needs and build a stronger health care system for Albertans.”
Jason Copping, Minister of Health
Programs receiving funding in 2023 are chosen based on workforce needs, learner demand and institutional capacity, among other criteria. Priority sectors being funded include health care, technology and business. Of the new seats receiving funding, more than 3,400 are in health care training programs.
“This investment by the province will help build UCalgary’s capacity to meet the growing demand for high-quality medical education, particularly in areas like family medicine, which will help to address the physician shortage and provide better long-term health care for Albertans.”Ed McCauley, president and vice-chancellor, University of Calgary
Budget 2023 secures Alberta’s future by transforming the health care system to meet people’s needs, supporting Albertans with the high cost of living, keeping our communities safe and driving the economy with more jobs, quality education and continued diversification.
New programs receiving Budget 2023 targeted enrolment expansion funding
| Program | Dollars | Seats | |
| Calgary | $22,821,963 | 850 | |
| Alberta University of the Arts | Object Design and Fabrication | 394,704 | 66 |
| Ambrose University | Bachelor of Arts (Behavioural Science) Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) | 537,599 | 45 |
| Bow Valley College | Practical Nurse (Online) | 736,696 | 48 |
| Bow Valley College | 3D Animation | 488,952 | 25 |
| Bow Valley College | Advanced Visual Effects | 466,670 | 25 |
| Bow Valley College | Advanced Game Development | 452,360 | 25 |
| Mount Royal University | Bachelor of Science in Data Science | $4,035,499 | 250 |
| SAIT | Primary Care Paramedic | $1,325,568 | 54 |
| SAIT | Advanced Care Paramedic | $1,606,134 | 36 |
| SAIT | Business Intelligence: Data Analysis and Reporting | $370,900 | 90 |
| St. Mary’s University | Master of Education in Catholic Leadership | $230,235 | 50 |
| University of Calgary | Master of Physician Assistant | $6,845,274 | 40 |
| University of Calgary | Bachelor of Nursing | $5,331,372 | 96 |
| Central | $10,537,956 | 388 | |
| Burman University | Bachelor of Business Administration | 1,209,280 | 60 |
| Olds College | Animal Health Technology | $562,326 | 60 |
| Red Deer Polytechnic | Administrative Professional | $96,031 | 72 |
| Red Deer Polytechnic | Pharmacy Technician | $551,096 | 48 |
| Red Deer Polytechnic | Medical Device Technologist | $681,073 | 60 |
| University of Alberta (Augustana Campus) | Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology | $2,539,652 | 30 |
| University of Alberta (Augustana Campus) | Master of Science in Occupational Therapy | $2,473,076 | 30 |
| University of Alberta (Augustana Campus) | Master of Science in Physical Therapy | $2,425,422 | 28 |
| Edmonton | $13,759,475 | 517 | |
| Concordia University of Edmonton | Bachelor of Management | $1,242,299 | 60 |
| Concordia University of Edmonton | Master of Information System Security Management | $194,762 | 15 |
| Concordia University of Edmonton | Master of Information System Assurance Management | $194,762 | 15 |
| MacEwan University | Psychiatric Nursing Diploma | $2,172,041 | 72 |
| MacEwan University | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | $3,048,435 | 144 |
| NAIT | Advanced Care Paramedic Primary Care Paramedic | $2,308,859 | 48 |
| NorQuest College | Medical Device Reprocessing Technician | $1,060,197 | 93 |
| The King’s University | Bachelor of Commerce, Information Systems Concentration | $269,240 | 30 |
| University of Alberta | Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science | $2,660,400 | 22 |
| University of Alberta | Master of Science in Public Health | $288,480 | 6 |
| University of Alberta | Course-Based Master’s Program in Modeling, Data and Predictions | $320,000 | 12 |
| Northeast | $2,048,665 | 189 | |
| Keyano College | Bachelor of Science Nursing | $738,050 | 48 |
| Keyano College | Primary Care Paramedic | $435,615 | 45 |
| Portage College | Paramedicine | $875,000 | 96 |
| Northwest | $2,420,455 | 608 | |
| Athabasca University | Post-Licensed Practical Nurse Bachelor of Nursing | 494,000 | 60 |
| Athabasca University | Bachelor of Science (Major in Computing and Information Systems) | 143,000 | 360 |
| Northern Lakes College | Post-Licensed Practical Nurse Bachelor of Nursing | $429,090 | 60 |
| Northwestern Polytechnic | Practical Nurse | $985,777 | 80 |
| Northwestern Polytechnic | Primary Care Paramedic | $368,587 | 48 |
| South | $6,101,506 | 288 | |
| Medicine Hat College | Practical Nurse | $2,105,084 | 96 |
| University of Lethbridge | Bachelor of Nursing (with Lethbridge College) | $1,887,304 | 57 |
| University of Lethbridge | Bachelor of Science Computer Science | $1,746,276 | 100 |
| University of Lethbridge | Graduate Certificate in Data Science | $362,842 | 35 |
| Grand Total | $57,690,019 | 2,840 |
- The grand total of $57.6 million in the chart above reflects the:
- $44 million to create 1,400 new seats in health-related programs.
- $10 million to create more than 1,100 new seats for business, technology and other programs.
- $3.6 million in tech talent funding to create 300 new seats in technology programs.
Related information
Red Deer-North constituents with questions, concerns or comments can reach out to the local constituency office. They can do so via the form on the contact page or by phoning (403) 342–2263.