PrintUNA concerned about transfer of public health inspectors out of health care employers
United Nurses of Alberta is concerned the provincial government’s decision to transfer public health inspectors into direct-government employment will disrupt their ability to keep Albertans safe and also set a dangerous precedent for government interference in health care. The inspectors are currently employed by Alberta Health Services and have traditionally been employees of health care employers.
“Transferring public health inspectors outside of health employers to direct government employment could be dangerous, said UNA President Heather Smith. "Public health inspectors play a critical role in keeping Albertans health and safe. It is important that health decisions be made based on health reasons, not political reasons.”
According to the Health Sciences Association of Alberta, which represents some public health inspectors impacted by the transfers, some of these workers will be simultaneously laid off from Alberta Health Services while “receiving a new – and lesser – offer of employment with the Government of Alberta.”
“Public Health Inspectors are the first line of defence in preventing illness and protecting the health of Albertans. They deserve better,” HSAA President Leanne Alfaro said in a statement. “They are highly trained professionals with enormous responsibility, and they should not be forced to choose between keeping their jobs and keeping the rights and protections they have secured with their union.”
The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, which also represents some public health inspectors impacted by the transfers, is raising concerns about government interference over the work of these important public health employees.
“It makes no sense to move these people out from under the health-care umbrella, where they operate at arm’s length from the government,” said AUPR President Sandra Azocar. “Their job is to focus solely on preventing and minimizing outbreaks that threaten us.”
“Transferring them to become direct government employees makes them vulnerable to interference and pressure from government bosses whose main priority is not public health,” Azocar said.
Public health inspectors in Alberta’s neighbouring provinces of British Columbia and Saskatchewan are employed by provincial health authorities and not their provincial government.
Public health nurses represented by UNA are not included in these transfers. During the 2025 round of collective bargaining, UNA negotiated a Letter of Commitment from the Alberta government that “any transfers resulting from the health care refocusing will be to a provincial health agency or a provincial health corporation.”
