Health Innovation Roundup
April 29, 2026

Headlines

• The Alberta government released ATIS 2.0, an updated tech and innovation strategy that allows Alberta Innovates and the Alberta Enterprise Corporation to take minority equity stakes in Alberta startups. The strategy also established the Alberta Intellectual Property Office, an $8-million nonprofit housed within Alberta Innovates to help researchers in health and other fields commercialize and protect their IP.
• Plantlife Cannabis is collaborating with Vital Holistic Care to better help customers who come in with health-related questions that retailers can't legally answer. "Now that we have cannabis shops on every corner, for a lot of individuals, it's a lot easier to shop in those stores recreationally than get a medical document and order online and have it come to their home," Kala Sanmartin of Vital told CBC. Now Plantlife budtenders can direct them to a QR code to put their medical questions to Vital.
• Pharmacy Brands Canada has launched OpenRx, a zero-fee model giving independent pharmacy owners access to national-scale purchasing power while maintaining control over their operations.
• Fertility Alberta partnered with Rachael Pettigrew of Mount Royal University on a new study of how Albertans navigate fertility care and work. Many employees fear disclosing a fertility journey, Pettigrew told CBC's Edmonton AM, and better support could be provided, said Michelle Chidley, chair of Fertility Alberta.
• Linda Hoang spoke to Postmedia about her new book, Miracle Baby: You're Finally Here!. "My hope with the book is to start those infertility conversations quite young and just make it feel like more of a natural part of families or family building," she said of the children's book she wished she'd had when she had a baby after a long fertility journey.
• Alberta will now cover the cost of fertility treatments for newly diagnosed cancer patients as part of cancer policy updates that also include lowering the self-referral age for breast cancer screening from 45 to 40.
• Embodied RD dietitian Selene Yan said she treats clients with an individualized approach when they consider using GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic. "Some people may find these medications to be helpful tools, but others may have a hard time with some of the side effects," she told CBC's Edmonton AM. "There is also a concern with how some of these medications may contribute to disordered eating concerns. Even though they are popular in the news, they're certainly not appropriate for everyone."
• The Esquao Awards will honour 17 Indigenous women from across Alberta for their achievements and community contributions, including Gloria Fraser in the health category. The events take place on May 7 at the River Cree Resort in Enoch.
• Indigenous nursing student Makayla Mantla from the University of Alberta reported back to CBC Edmonton's Radio Active about completing her placement in rural Vegreville.
• The University of Alberta's Black Medical Students' Association held a free community health fair at Clareview Community Recreation Centre to help underserved communities access health screenings, information, and resources.
• ECVO executive director Gemma Dunn spoke with CTV Edmonton about the health benefits of volunteering. "It really gives you a sense of connection and belonging to a place," she said. "It also really helps support good mental health." Dunn noted that volunteerism in Edmonton has sharply declined, following national trends.
• Hands of Kindness, a volunteer group founded by two St. Albert siblings after their grandmother was diagnosed with cancer, has delivered about 2,000 handmade gifts — including bookmarks, keychains, and word searches — to patients at the Cross Cancer Institute, as well as raising about $5,000 for the Alberta Cancer Foundation.

Social innovation

• A city council committee's approval of the sale of part of Athlone Park to the Africa Centre for the African Multicultural Community Centre is "a once-in-a-generation opportunity" to create a hub for connection, culture, and development for African, Black, and Caribbean communities, the Africa Centre posted.
• The Kihew Awasis Wakamik Cultural Society has opened a new Indigenous care centre, offering prenatal classes, midwifery care, land-based teachings, and ceremony-based support. Co-directors Nadia Houle and Lori Inkster, members of Otipemisiwak Métis Government, told Rat Creek Press that the centre provides culturally grounded support for families through pregnancy, parenting, and grief. Since 2021, 65 women have participated in its two-year midwifery training program.
• A National Red Dress Day Vigil Walk on May 5 between Alberta Avenue and Eastwood will honour Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People. The event was founded by Fran Chalifoux, whose niece Sierra Chalifoux Thompson was 13 when her life was taken in 2020.
• A national survey to be presented at ShedFest West in Edmonton on April 29 found that nearly 66% of Men's Shed Canada participants reported experiencing loneliness before joining, while 74% said they felt a strong sense of belonging after participation.
• Sameer Singh, a community leader who helped steward the Edmonton Shift Lab, discussed Edmonton's strengths and its role in social innovation with writer Laurence Miall. Singh cited the city's diversity and five major post-secondary institutions as key assets, and said anyone who commits can thrive — "you just have to care."
• Inclusion Alberta presented awards to Albertans who are creating inclusive communities for individuals with intellectual disabilities at its annual Family Conference in Edmonton. Andre Charrois of the Rotary Club of St. Albert was recognized for his commitment to hiring workers with disabilities, as were the MacEwan University music department, DHL Supply Chain in Acheson, Brenda Giourmetakis and Carson Masse, and the Johnny Bright School, among others.

More health news

• The Globe and Mail took a closer look at an intimidation campaign that reporter Carrie Tait and others faced after investigations into alleged provincial government interference in contracts with MHCare.
• The University of Alberta held its annual memorial honouring people who have donated their bodies to its Anatomical Gifts Program. The program receives 50 to 80 donations each year, coordinator Jason Papirny told CBC, and more than 10,000 people have registered their intention to donate their bodies to help medical students and others learn.
• As two major online sports gambling platforms enter the Alberta market, stronger player protections and lower betting limits are needed, said Alana Brown, a mental health and addictions recovery instructor at NorQuest College. "(Sports is) the fastest growing segment of online gambling in Canada right now," Brown told CBC Edmonton's Radio Active. "Estimates tell us that Canadians are wagering — and they're losing — in the billions to sports books every year."
• The Royal Alexandra Hospital has implemented a one-bag policy for patients and visitors to reduce tripping risks.
• Primary Care Alberta is encouraging parents and guardians to check whether their children are up to date on routine immunizations during National Immunization Awareness Week. Routine vaccines are offered free of charge to all Alberta youth, children, and infants. Measles cases continue to be identified throughout the province.

Happenings

Here are some events coming up over the next seven days:

• April 29: ELIXR Industry Roundtable starting at 9am online
• May 2: Families Facing Diabetes Conference starting at 8:30am at Chateau Louis Hotel & Conference Centre
• May 2: natIgnite: Pitch Day starting at 1pm at University of Alberta (Donadeo Innovation Centre For Engineering)
• May 2-10: natIgnite at University of Alberta (Donadeo Innovation Centre For Engineering)
• May 5: What Life Sciences Investors Actually Fund: Panel Discussion starting at 7:30am at Edmonton Unlimited
• May 6: Connected Care in Alberta: Optimizing Digital Health Across Agencies starting at 8am at Holiday Inn - Gateway Blvd

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• May 12: Caregivers Alberta's 25th Anniversary Celebration at Jerry Forbes Centre
• May 21: From Point A to Point Care: Creating Seamless Paths to Support for Rural Caregivers online
• May 25: Navigating Life with ADHD and Autism at Edmonton Public Library (Meadows)

Visit the Taproot Edmonton Calendar for many more events in the Edmonton region.