Alberta Bill 11: Strategic Update on Implementation
Following our recent SHBA (Smart Health Benefits Association) webinar on May 12th, we are providing this update on the status of Alberta Bill 11 (Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2025, No. 2) to support you and your ongoing client discussions.
Topic: SHBA in the NEWS! How We Have Helped Advisors, Plan Sponsors and Albertans get ready for Oct 1st
Issue 02
With Oct. 1, 2026 now just days away, the implementation of Alberta Bill 11 (Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2025, No. 2) is no longer on the horizon, it is here. This bulletin summarizes the resources, education and advocacy SHBA has been working on all summer to help you, our SHBA member advisors, and your clients navigate this transition with confidence. This bulletin serves as a great “all on one” summary of the work we have been doing on your behalf.
SHBA FEATURED ON UNISON TV: Sept 23rd, 2026
CLICK TO WATCH!
SHBA’s president Carolyne Eagan was recently interviewed by Carolyn Kury, Host and Producer at Unison TV, as part of their coverage of the Alberta benefits landscape and the impact of Bill 11. The 30-minute interview really showcases the value of SHBA!
This is a great opportunity to see SHBA’s perspective reach a broader audience and reinforce the important role advisors play in supporting plan sponsors through this change.
SHBA in the Calgary Herald: Sept 24th, 2026
SHBA’s president Carolyne Eagan was interviewed by the Calgary Herald journalist, Hiren Mansukhani in relation to Alberta Bill 11. It has been recognized that there has been very minimal public communication and coverage to help Albertans get ready. CLICK TO READ the article
We are so pleased to be recognized as a valued voice, helping Albertans prepare for October 1st.
SHBA Member Value: AB Bill 11 Communication Kit
In case you missed it….
To support advisors in having clear, confident conversations with your clients in the lead-up to Oct. 1st, SHBA developed and launched a comprehensive AB Bill 11 Advisor Communication Guide, available exclusively to members in the SHBA Content Library.
The kit includes ready-to-use resources designed to help you explain the changes, address client concerns and position yourself as the expert guide your clients need right now.
Your clients are counting on you to translate what Bill 11 means for their specific plan. This kit gives you exactly what you need to do that.
Podcast: Advocacy In Action Series on AB Bill 11
Over the past several months, SHBA has produced a dedicated four-part podcast series on Alberta Bill 11, walking through the legislation, its implications for advisors and employers and what to expect as of Oct. 1st.
All four episodes are available on the SHBA public website. Whether you’re catching up or sharing episodes with colleagues and clients, these are an invaluable resource for anyone navigating this change.
And this isn’t the end. More episodes are coming as we move through implementation and beyond.
Subscribe now to Advocacy In Action where you listen to your podcasts, so you never miss an update. The conversation around Bill 11 will continue well past Oct. 1st as advisors and plan sponsors adapt to the new landscape.
SHBA AT THE TABLE: OUR ROLE IN THE AB HEALTH WORKING GROUP
This summer, SHBA was invited to participate in the Alberta Health Bill 11 Working Group, and we were proud to accept. Across multiple sessions, our team brought the advisor and employer perspective directly to the decision-makers shaping how this legislation gets implemented.
This is what advocacy looks like in practice. SHBA has been recognized as a unique and important voice in these discussions and we have used that seat to push for clarity, reasonableness and a smooth transition for plan sponsors and the advisors who serve them.
As we have said from the beginning: we are committed to ensuring the voice of the advisor, and the plan sponsor, is heard. That commitment is not just a statement. It has been our work all summer.
Missed a Webinar? Watch the Replays
Throughout this process, SHBA has hosted a series of member webinars on Alberta Bill 11, covering everything from the legislative overview to practical guidance on what advisors needed to do before Oct. 1st.
If you missed any of the live sessions, or want to revisit the material, all replays are available in the SHBA Members Only area.
We encourage you to share these replays with colleagues and staff who are supporting client conversations.
KEY MESSAGES FOR ADVISORS
As you continue your implementation client conversations, here are suggested talking points to reinforce your role as a trusted strategic guide:
Readiness: “Oct. 1st is here. I want to make sure your plan is ready. Let’s connect to review what’s changing and what, if anything, needs to be done to prepare.”
Financial Awareness:“With private plans now becoming the primary payer for drug and some supplemental health claims, we may start seeing claims increase as of Oct. 1st. I’ll be watching your plan closely and will keep you informed.”
Your Support System:“SHBA has been at the table with Alberta Health all summer and has developed resources specifically to help advisors like me guide you through this. You’re in good hands.”
SHBA IS AT THE TABLE
From the working group to the podcast studio to webinars and national media, SHBA has been working hard to keep you informed, supported and ahead of this change. Watch your inbox for continued updates as we cross the Oct. 1st threshold together.
We are committed to providing timely education along with future advocacy to ensure the voice of the advisor, and the plan sponsor, is heard.
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