Should Alberta Update Safety Rules for Care Facilities?

Official title: Institutions Regulation modernization engagement

Closed Regulations & Permits Health & Safety
Alberta is modernizing the Institutions Regulation, which sets safety and maintenance standards for child and adult care facilities. The government wants to shift from prescriptive rules to an outcomes-based approach, giving operators more flexibility. They're also looking at which facilities should be covered and whether food safety rules should move to a different regulation.

Why This Matters

Have a parent in a care home? A child in daycare? These rules affect the safety standards those facilities must meet. The shift to outcomes-based regulation could mean more flexibility for operators—but also less specific requirements to point to if something goes wrong.

What Could Change

Care facilities may face different inspection criteria focused on outcomes rather than checklists. Some facilities currently exempt could be brought under regulation. Food safety rules might move from this regulation to the Food Regulation, changing how kitchens in care homes are inspected.

Key Issues

  • Which child and adult care facilities should the regulation apply to?
  • Should the regulation shift from specific requirements to an outcomes-based approach?
  • Should food safety requirements be moved to the Food Regulation?
  • How should health and safety requirements be updated to align with current standards?

How to Participate

  1. Review the current Institutions Regulation to understand what's being modernized.
  2. Contact ah.publichealthengagement@gov.ab.ca with questions about this engagement.

What Happened

The government gathered insights through written submissions requested in March 2025 and an online survey from March 24 to April 21, 2025. Feedback received will help inform updates to the Institutions Regulation, Food Regulation, and associated policies and guidelines.

Key Documents