Health Care and Social Assistance: As the fourth largest city in Alberta, and the largest city in central Alberta, Red Deer has become a hub for health care and related services. The Red Deer Regional Hospital and Alberta Health Services are major employers in this industry and in all of Red Deer. A recently announced expansion will add a major addition to the Red Deer Regional Hospital, with the $100 Million first phase of the project scheduled to begin in 2021. This expansion will increase the hospital’s capacity, and encourage the growth of health-related businesses in Red Deer.
The Health Care and Social Assistance industry includes jobs in hospitals, nursing and residential care facilities, as well as outpatient services. It also includes medical and diagnostic laboratories; home health care; ambulance; social assistance; community food, housing, emergency and relief services, vocational rehabilitation, daycare; and offices of health practitioners (doctors, dentists, optometrists, and chiropractors).2