In July, the Government of Alberta announced that healthcare aides will now be a regulated profession, being governed and regulated by the College of Licensed Practical Nurses and Health Care Aides of Alberta, previously  the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta. 

This change will officially take effect on February 2, 2026, at which point the newly reorganized college will oversee the professional standards, training, and accountability of health care aides, particularly those working in rural and underserved communities.  

The announcement has sparked discussion about the broader implications for other support roles in health care, including communication health assistants. 

This decision sets a precedent for formal regulation of support roles in health care.  

For SAC members, it signals a potential pathway toward the regulation of communication health assistants, especially those who work under the supervision of speech-language pathologists, supporting individuals with communication and swallowing needs. Regulation could enhance the quality of care, ensure consistent training standards, and improve public trust in these roles, but could also introduce barriers to practice that could interfere with our members’ employment. 

SAC encourages members in Alberta to stay informed and engaged. We urge you to share your perspective on the regulation of communication health assistants by emailing us at: advocacy@sac-oac.ca 

This development aligns with SAC’s ongoing efforts to ensure our members are informed about any potential developments that could lead to a change in their profession or practice. It reinforces our commitment to ensuring safe, effective, and equitable communication health services across Canada.