Alberta is launching 14 new advisory councils to give residents a stronger voice in healthcare decisions, the provincial government announced. The councils include 150 members from 71 communities who will work with Alberta's health ministries to identify local challenges and suggest improvements.

The council members come from various backgrounds, including healthcare workers, community leaders, and municipal officials, according to the announcement. They will gather feedback from their communities and bring forward ideas that might not otherwise reach government. "By hearing first-hand community feedback directly, we can build a system that is more responsive, more inclusive and ultimately more effective for everyone," said Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services.

The government is also working to create a separate Indigenous Advisory Council with up to 22 members to focus on healthcare services for First Nation, Métis and Inuit communities across Alberta.