In its most recent sitting in the Legislature, the provincial government passed several pieces of legislation that affect healthcare regulation and practice. ACP is reviewing each piece of legislation to fully understand what impact they may have on the college’s regulatory processes and how pharmacy teams deliver care to Albertans.
The following is a brief summary of each piece of legislation based on how ACP understands them as of January 7, 2026, along with what’s next for ACP and regulated members.
Bill 9: Protecting Alberta’s Children Statutes Amendment Act
This Bill amends Bill 26, the Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2024 (No. 2), in relation to gender-affirming care for minors. Bill 26 received Royal Assent in December 2024 and adds sections 1.91-1.93 to the Health Professions Act (HPA). Section 1.91 (prohibition against gender-affirming surgical interventions) came into force in December 2024. Sections 1.92 (prohibition against certain drug prescriptions for gender dysphoria or incongruence) and 1.93 (Ministerial Order to authorize prescriptions for minors) came into force on January 7, 2026.
Sections 1.92 and 1.93 prohibit regulated members from prescribing Schedule 1 drugs to a minor for the purpose of hormone therapy, including puberty suppression and hormone replacement therapy, for the treatment of gender dysphoria or incongruence unless there is a Ministerial Order that allows them to do so.
The Minister may make regulations to identify additional drugs prohibited from being prescribed under section 1.92 but has not done so yet.
Bill 9 invokes the notwithstanding clause protection under section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms for the HPA amendments made through Bill 26. Invoking the notwithstanding clause means that a province can pass a law that violates certain sections of the Charter, and the courts cannot declare it unconstitutional or strike it down on those grounds. The protection lasts for a maximum of five years, after which it must be re-enacted by the legislature to continue.
ACP will continue to monitor developments closely. Once the government provides further information on additional regulations, or the process for Ministerial Orders, we will share updates with regulated members.
Bill 10: Red Tape Reduction Statutes Amendment Act, 2025 (No. 2)
This Bill amends the Fair Registration Practices Act to prohibit regulatory bodies from requiring Canadian work experience (or work experience tied to Canada) as a registration condition unless approved by the Minister for public safety reasons.
At this time, ACP does not require Canadian work experience as a registration condition. No changes are planned.
Bill 11: Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2025 (No.2)
This Bill came into force on December 18, 2025. It includes amendments to several Acts, including the HPA. One amendment restricts mandatory education requirements under a college’s continuing competence program (CCP). The HPA now states that if a CCP includes a requirement for regulated members to complete specified education or training, the education or training must relate only to maintaining professional competence or ethical standards for the practice of the regulated profession. If a CCP includes specified education or training, a council must, within 18 months after the coming into force of this section, establish a process for regulated members to apply for an exemption from the specified education or training. An exemption may be issued, on terms and conditions that are appropriate and consistent with the objectives of the specified education or training, and may include a requirement for alternative specified education and training.
ACP will review our CCP requirements to ensure compliance with the new legislation within 18 months.
Bill 13: Regulated Professions Neutrality Act
This Bill protects the off-duty freedom of expression of all regulated professionals in Alberta. Regulators cannot discipline members for expressive conduct outside of work unless it involves threats of physical violence, boundary violations, misuse of a professional position, certain types of sexual conduct, improper or inappropriate communication with minors, or criminal convictions. The Bill also requires regulators to remain neutral and prohibit preferential treatment based on specific personal characteristics, including race, sex, religion, political beliefs, or gender identity. It also prohibits regulators from requiring mandatory education or training related to certain matters.
Bill 13 received Royal Assent on December 11, 2025, but is not yet in force. ACP will review its internal processes, including standards and CCP requirements to achieve compliance with the new legislation once it comes into force.
So – what happens next?
Once a bill receives Royal Assent, the government may bring the act into force immediately or set a future date through proclamation. There may also be supporting regulations developed after the act is passed. Once proclaimed, there is typically a transition period to allow regulators and other affected organizations time to make any required changes. For this reason, some details—particularly those that apply specifically to health professions—may not be fully known until later this spring.
As the legislative process moves forward, ACP will continue to monitor developments and keep regulated members informed of any changes that may affect regulatory expectations or processes.
