Bow Island proposes municipally-controlled corporation for medical clinic 

Posted on August 1, 2025 by Ryan Dahlman

By Nerissa McNaughton
Southern Alberta Newspapers

The Town of Bow Island is taking proactive steps to address its healthcare challenges by proposing the establishment of a Municipally Controlled Corporation (MCC) to own and operate a primary care medical clinic. This initiative aims to enhance physician recruitment efforts and ensure the sustainability of medical services for Bow Island and surrounding communities. With only one physician currently serving the area despite approval for five, the Town sees this as a critical move to maintain access to healthcare and support the local clinic and hospital.

An MCC is a for-profit corporation controlled by a municipality, designed to provide regional services or facilities. By creating an MCC, the Town can directly manage clinic operations, offer financial support, and improve accountability to taxpayers. This model allows the Town to take a more active role in recruiting physicians and providing essential services, such as medical office support and patient management systems.

Mayor Gordon Reynolds explains, “We are facing a critical shortage of doctors. We need five, but we only have one. We need to ensure we have enough doctors for the hospital and for our clinic, which serves the community including, the County of Forty Mile. One challenge with the clinic is that it’s currently being run by a single doctor who is covering all expenses. There’s no formal business structure in place.”

The benefits of an MCC are numerous. Mayor Reynolds continues, “We believe this will help with both recruitment and retention. The idea is that doctors can focus on practicing medicine without worrying about the business side of things, as the corporation would handle those aspects. The corporation would provide the space, support staff, and management.”

This concept isn’t new, and given the shortage of doctors, notably in rural Alberta, many municipalities are exploring similar solutions.

“When international doctors come to Canada, they often arrive with high hopes but with limited financial resources and, being new to Canada, have difficulty establishing credit,” the mayor adds. “An MCC can help them navigate these challenges, including other challenges such as transportation and housing.”

The facts and the business plan are readily available on the Town of Bow Island website. Additionally, a public hearing on August 11 offers residents a chance to learn more and ask questions. The hearing starts at 6 p.m. in the Hyland Room of the Town Office.

“I encourage you to attend the upcoming hearing to learn more,” Mayor Reynolds says to the communities involved. “We’ve prepared a detailed business plan and a fact sheet, both available online. If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions, the hearing is the place to voice them.”

He concludes, “This is a local solution to a local problem. We can’t rely solely on Alberta Health or AHS, especially with the ongoing restructuring. We’re taking proactive steps to support residents. We also have an opportunity to secure significant grant funding, though it requires matching funds. We believe strong healthcare is essential to a strong community. The town, county, and village are working together on housing for doctors. Ultimately, we’re striving for stability. This will not only benefit the community but also assist AHS in attracting doctors to the hospital.”

Learn more at https://bowisland.com/ and mark your calendar for the August 11 hearing.