Friday, March 21, 2025
Alberta’s government is partnering with Siemens Healthineers and the Alberta Cancer Foundation to improve health outcomes for Albertans diagnosed with cancer.
Albertans living with cancer deserve access to the latest medical technology to receive the most effective treatments possible. By making investments that establish Alberta as a leader in cancer research and innovation, Alberta’s government is working to improve outcomes, reduce wait times and enhance early detection for Albertans living with cancer.
To further these goals, Alberta’s government is investing $800 million over eight years in a cancer innovation value partnership with Siemens Healthineers and the Alberta Cancer Foundation. This investment will help replace and update oncology treatment equipment, 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. With the value partnership in place, visits to emergency departments for oncology-related cases could reduce by 30 per cent and wait times to receive cancer care and treatment could reduce by 50 per cent.
“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. From prevention to detection to treatment, we are ensuring Albertans facing cancer receive the best care available.”
Danielle Smith, Premier
Under the value partnership, Siemens Healthineers, headquartered in Germany, will replace Alberta’s existing equipment at the end of its life cycle and introduce new technologies that are more effective and could significantly reduce wait times for patients. Replacements and upgrades will begin, and start benefiting Albertans, almost immediately. In addition, Siemens Healthineers will invest $175 million into the value partnership to support the establishment of the centres of excellence and advance research initiatives.
Alberta’s growing and aging population is contributing to a rise in cancer cases and longer wait times. The value partnership will help address these issues by replacing existing oncology treatment and imaging equipment, and by introducing new technologies including an artificial intelligence-enabled treatment unit. This new unit could shorten the time from consultation to treatment from two weeks to as little as two hours, increasing the number of patients receiving treatment and improving health outcomes.
“This partnership will reduce wait times and patient expenses while increasing capacity across the health care system. 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.”
Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health
The centres of excellence will help establish Alberta as a leader in oncology training, and cancer-focused artificial intelligence and machine learning.
“Together, we will advance care for Alberta cancer patients through AI, education, research and innovation. By addressing the entire cancer care continuum, we are working toward a world without fear of cancer.”
Arthur Kaindl, Head of Varian, Siemens Healthineers
The Learning Centre of Excellence in Cancer Care, which will be based at the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Calgary, will be the first global oncology training, learning and reference site in Canada. The centre, which will focus on training the workforce of tomorrow, will attract talent and build and embed the latest technologies and advancements in cancer care directly into learning experiences. There will also be virtual learning opportunities for rural and remote health care workers.
“Cancer Care Alberta is grateful and excited about this transformational partnership and investment in cancer care in Alberta. This partnership will position us to leverage the power and impact of technology, research and innovation, and our people to deliver the best possible care for cancer patients and families across the cancer continuum and the province – today and into the future.”
Brenda Hubley, Chief Program Officer, Cancer Care Alberta, Alberta Health Services
The Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence in Cancer Care will create a cancer-focused artificial intelligence and machine learning program, bringing global expertise to Alberta to improve operations and the delivery of care. The centre, which will have a physical location in Edmonton, will leverage and expand Alberta’s data science expertise in oncology.
The partnership will also establish a medical research and innovation fund to attract and retain global talent. Siemens Healthineers and the Alberta Cancer Foundation will each provide $24 million for the fund, for a total of $48 million. The Alberta Cancer Foundation will manage the fund and help identify projects to drive innovation in oncology.
“This is a major leap forward for cancer care in Alberta and will fuel vital cancer research. 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.”
Wendy Beauchesne, Chief Executive Officer, Alberta Cancer Foundation
Reducing diagnostic imaging wait times across the province
Alberta’s government recognizes the current wait times for diagnostic imaging services aren’t acceptable, which is why Budget 2025, if passed, will provide $168 million over three years to the Diagnostic Imaging Enhancements Program.
This program includes funds to purchase cancer-specific diagnostic imaging equipment through the value partnership, as well as other critical equipment. These funds will support the replacement of equipment that is at the end of its life cycle and expand and modernize diagnostic imaging capabilities across the province to improve health outcomes for Albertans.
On top of this capital investment, Budget 2025 includes more than $2.2 billion for diagnostic and therapeutic services in 2025-26 and $90 million over three years to support smaller equipment purchases under the Medical Equipment Replacement Program.
Budget 2025 is meeting the challenge faced by Alberta with continued investments in education and health, lower taxes for families and a focus on the economy.
Quick facts
- Siemens Healthineers currently provides 100 per cent of Alberta’s conventional external beam radiation therapy fleet, 50 per cent of Alberta’s simulator fleet and between 10 and 20 per cent of Alberta’s diagnostic imaging fleet.
- The value partnership would work to replace existing equipment and grow the services available to cancer patients across the province.
- 65 per cent of Alberta’s current software and equipment in cancer care and diagnostic imaging is past its life cycle.
- Almost 60 per cent of cancer patients require radiation therapy over the course of their cancer care.
- According to BioAlberta’s 2023 State of the Industry Report, Alberta’s life sciences sector is responsible for almost $2 billion in revenue and about 23,300 jobs.