Global experts convene to design evaluation of Alberta’s Compassionate Intervention program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 23, 2026

Calgary, Alberta—The Canadian Centre for Recovery Excellence (CoRE) is taking the next step in moving Alberta’s Compassionate Intervention (CI) program forward through establishment of a Compassionate Intervention Expert Group (CIEG).

Led by CoRE’s Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Nathaniel Day, the CIEG met in person for the first time on June 22, 2026, to develop recommendations that will inform the evaluation of Alberta’s CI program. CIEG brings together 11 renowned world-class experts in addiction medicine, psychiatry, law, public policy, Indigenous health, recovery science and evaluation from leading institutions across Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.

Global policymakers are increasingly recognizing the need for civil commitment to treat and support individuals with the most severe addictions who are at high risk of harm and are unable to engage in voluntary treatment. In Alberta this is called Compassionate Intervention.

“Jurisdictions around the world are struggling with how to support people with addiction. A civil commitment intervention, like Alberta’s Compassionate Intervention program, is a last resort and is an important part of Alberta’s recovery-oriented system of care. By designing a methodologically robust and ethically sound evaluation, we will be able to understand what program elements best support recovery. These learnings will be valuable in ensuring we get the best possible outcomes for individuals.”

—Dr. Nathaniel Day, Chief Scientific Officer, CoRE

“The Compassionate Intervention Act is first-of-its-kind, and it’s crucially important to evaluate its effectiveness to ensure we are improving the lives of Albertans who are struggling with mental illness and addiction. We are pleased to see the province taking this important step to endorse this evaluation process.”

—Kym Kaufmann, CEO, CoRE

“Compassionate Intervention is new in Canada. Having global experts of this caliber step forward to guide the evaluation is a testament to its importance to healthcare professionals around the world. This group will ensure we are asking the right questions and monitoring the right outcomes.”

— Dr. Robert Tanguay, Senior Medical Lead, Compassionate Intervention, Recovery Alberta

The CIEG’s evaluation recommendations will be available in late 2026 to support the implementation of Compassionate Intervention in 2027.

“In a landscape where opinions are strong and stakes are high, this evaluation will provide something essential: clear, independent evidence about the impacts of involuntary care. Our goal is to ground public discussion and policy in rigorous, transparent science.”

— Dr. Amanda Butler, Simon Fraser University

“Carefully designed evaluation allows us to distinguish between intention, implementation, and real-world outcomes—something that is essential for any complex intervention.”

— Dr. Amelia Arria, University of Maryland School of Public Health

“Without meaningful evaluation, we cannot know whether policies are achieving their stated goals or producing unintended consequences.”

— Dr. Holly Graham, Thunderchild First Nation

About CoRE

The Canadian Centre of Recovery Excellence (CoRE) was established by the Alberta government to translate research into action leading to improved recovery-oriented systems and outcomes for individuals with mental illness or addiction. CoRE advances its work through system level applied research and evaluation; comprehensive data and analytics; expert advice and clinical guidance; and leadership and collaboration to enable the best possible outcomes for Albertans.

About Compassionate Intervention in Alberta

The Compassionate Intervention Act allows adult family members, guardians, healthcare professionals, police or peace officers to request a treatment order for those whose addiction or substance use has made them a danger to themselves or others.

More information on the CIEG members can be found in the CIEG backgrounder.

Media Contact:

Michelle Gurney

COMMUNICATIONS LEAD

Canadian Centre of Recovery Excellence

Email: communications@recoveryexcellence.org

Phone: 403-431-0759

Recoveryexcellence.org