Quieter times: The Cancer Centre operates by appointment on weekdays between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM — contact the centre at 780-791-6217 to schedule. For the host hospital's emergency department, weekday mornings tend to be moderately busy; if your condition allows, mid-morning on weekdays can sometimes mean shorter waits compared to evenings and weekends.
Busier times: Emergency department visits on Friday and Saturday evenings typically see higher volumes at most northern Alberta hospitals. Avoid arriving just before a shift change if possible. The Cancer Centre is closed on weekends and statutory holidays — plan appointments accordingly.
The Fort McMurray Community Cancer Centre is located within the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre at 7 Hospital Street in Fort McMurray, Alberta, serving residents of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and surrounding northeastern Alberta communities. As an Alberta Health Services community cancer centre, it delivers outpatient chemotherapy, cancer navigation, education, and multidisciplinary support so patients can receive high-quality cancer care close to home. The host hospital, Northern Lights Regional Health Centre, operates a 24/7 emergency department serving the broader region with emergency, surgical, and inpatient services.
Services & Specialties
Outpatient chemotherapy and systemic cancer treatment, Cancer patient navigation, Outpatient cancer pharmacy and drug benefit program, Oncology consultations, Hematology and internal medicine specialist access, Nurse practitioner services, Registered nurse cancer care, Dietitian support for cancer patients, Psychology and social work services, Pharmacist consultations, Cancer triage telephone information line, Interpreter and translation services, Cancer patient education and support programs, 24/7 emergency care (host hospital — Northern Lights Regional Health Centre).
Amenities
Cafeteria (host hospital): open Monday–Friday, 7:15 AM–2:00 PM; closed weekends and statutory holidays
Vending machines available on site
Catering services available
Outpatient cancer pharmacy on site
Alberta Cancer Telephone Line: 1-888-432-8865 (toll-free, 24/7 message available)
The Cancer Centre itself operates Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM — call ahead at 780-791-6217 to confirm your appointment or ask questions before visiting.
For 24/7 health advice, call Health Link 811 — a free service where registered nurses can help you determine whether you need emergency care, cancer centre support, or can manage at home.
If you need cancer-related guidance after hours, leave a message on the Alberta Cancer Telephone Line at 1-888-432-8865 and a care team member will follow up the next business day.
The host hospital's emergency department uses the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) — patients are seen in order of medical urgency, not arrival time, so be prepared to wait if your condition is non-critical.
The cafeteria at Northern Lights Regional Health Centre is only open weekdays until 2:00 PM — if visiting in the afternoon or on weekends, bring snacks or meals, as vending machines are available but limited.
What to Bring
Valid government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver's licence or passport)
Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) card
List of all current medications, doses, and allergies
Referral letter or oncologist documentation if attending the Cancer Centre
Previous test results, imaging reports, or pathology records relevant to your care
Insurance or drug benefit program information
Comfort items for potentially long waits (book, phone charger, water bottle)
A support person or family member, especially for chemotherapy appointments
Parking
A parking map is available through the Alberta Health Services facility page for Northern Lights Regional Health Centre at 7 Hospital Street. Online payment is available for parking citations and parking permits. Visitors are advised to check the AHS website or contact the facility directly for current parking rates and lot details.
Getting There
The centre is located at 7 Hospital Street in Fort McMurray's lower townsite, just off Highway 63. Visitors should check Wood Buffalo Transit for current bus routes serving the Hospital Street area, as no specific route information was confirmed at time of publication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Fort McMurray Community Cancer Centre the same as the hospital emergency department?
No. The Fort McMurray Community Cancer Centre is a separate cancer care clinic located inside the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre at 7 Hospital Street. The cancer centre operates weekdays from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM by appointment. The hospital's emergency department is a distinct service operating 24/7 and is accessed separately.
What types of cancer treatment are available at the Fort McMurray Cancer Centre?
The centre offers outpatient chemotherapy and systemic cancer treatment, cancer patient navigation, an outpatient cancer pharmacy, and access to oncologists, hematologists, nurse practitioners, dietitians, psychologists, and social workers — allowing most patients to receive cancer care close to home without travelling to major centres like the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton.
How do I contact the Fort McMurray Community Cancer Centre?
You can reach the Cancer Centre directly at 780-791-6217 during clinic hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM). For after-hours cancer-related questions, you can call the Alberta Cancer Telephone Line toll-free at 1-888-432-8865 and leave a message; a team member will follow up the next business day.
Is interpreter or translation support available at the Cancer Centre?
Yes. Interpreter and translation services are available at the Fort McMurray Community Cancer Centre, reflecting the diverse population of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Contact the centre in advance at 780-791-6217 to arrange language support for your appointment.
Is there parking available at 7 Hospital Street in Fort McMurray?
Yes. Parking is available at the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre site at 7 Hospital Street. A parking map is available through the Alberta Health Services website, and online payment is available for parking permits and citations. Contact the facility or check the AHS site for current rates and lot details.
What should I do if I have a cancer-related health concern outside of Cancer Centre hours?
For urgent medical emergencies, go directly to the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre emergency department at 7 Hospital Street, which is open 24/7. For non-emergency health advice at any hour, call Health Link 811 free of charge. For cancer-specific questions, leave a message on the Alberta Cancer Telephone Line at 1-888-432-8865 and a care team member will respond the next business day.
Emergency departments use triage. Patients with more serious conditions are seen first, regardless of arrival time.
Wait times are estimates based on Alberta health data. Actual wait times may vary.
This hospital does not publish a live wait, so the figure above comes from our model rather than from its own feed. We publish how that model performs where it can be checked, at the hospitals that do publish. See the accuracy scorecard, or how we work the number out.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
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Incorrect hours, wrong address, or outdated information? Let us know.