Tessie Sanci

Tessie Sanci

Electricity in winter not a ‘convenience’ but ‘a matter of public safety,’ says Yukon energy minister, as territorial officials seek feds’ help to reduce energy poverty in the North

The “energy poverty” experienced in Canada’s North has significant consequences for affordability, residents’ health and safety, and could affect the feds’ big economic plans if Ottawa doesn’t do more to help, said multiple witnesses, including territorial cabinet ministers, at a recent House Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee meeting. “In a Yukon winter, electricity reliability isn’t a convenience; it is a...

Tessie Sanci

Canadian Medical Association and Canadian Cancer Society lead health lobbying in 2026

With 129 communication reports, the Canadian Medical Association’s conversations with the federal government on access to primary care and the need for shareable health data propelled the organization to the top of the most active lobbying health groups for the first half of 2026. Dr. Margot Burnell, a board member and past president of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), said...

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Health Minister Michel has not asked AG to investigate Canada Health Infoway spending, wants a third-party audit

Auditor General Karen Hogan won’t be conducting an audit into the circumstances of the terminated PrescribeIT program or into the financial practices of Canada Health Infoway, which spent nearly $300-million on the technology. Her office told The Hill Times that Health Minister Marjorie Michel did not ask them to investigate, and that conducting a review would duplicate work that’s expected...

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After Grit MPs on House Health Committee spent a month blocking probe into Canada Health Infoway’s $300-million terminated PrescribeIT program, minister orders audit, review

While Liberal MPs tried to squeeze one more study into the schedule, Conservatives held firm that they should continue reviewing the terminated federally-funded e-prescribing program. Conservative health critic Dan Mazier says it’s important because ‘$300-million has gone into nowhere.’

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Senate bill for FASD framework trying to fix ‘cracks’ in care for the disorder

A Senate bill originally introduced nearly four years ago is calling on the federal government to produce a framework for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder emphasizing improved and early diagnosis. This can be the difference between “night and day” for families, says one former Senator with lived experience. A last-minute change in the Senate Social Affairs Committee schedule means that former...

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With a $75-million investment to Canadian Blood Services to increase domestic blood and plasma supplies for health emergencies, the federal Liberals have provided a first look at their plans to bolster Canada’s medical countermeasures, which were classified as a “sovereign capability” in the Defence Industrial Strategy released earlier this year. But two other life sciences experts say the strategy’s health...

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Medical organizations sound alarm on sterilization bill’s potential impact on access to reproductive care

A bill that names sterilization without valid consent as a specific offence under the Criminal Code is raising concerns from multiple medical organizations, including the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada and the Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Quebec, about the potential of unintended impacts for physicians who may hesitate to perform these procedures due to fear of...

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ISED cuts $20-million from Strategic Science Fund nearly two years after signing agreements with recipients

Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada informed organizations receiving money through the Strategic Science Fund late last month that it will cut $20-million from the $800-million fund as a part of the government’s plan to reduce spending. The decision affects 17 of the 19 organizations that will be funded until 2028-29 and have had contribution agreements in place since May...

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LeBlanc, Michel meet with pharma sector as U.S. buckles down on cutting drug prices

United States President Donald Trump’s efforts to reset how pharmaceutical firms negotiate drug prices with his government—and the consequences for countries including Canada—were recently discussed at an in-person meeting between pharmaceutical representatives, Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc, Health Minister Marjorie Michel, and Janice Charette, the newly appointed chief trade negotiator to the U.S.

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Lack of flexibility, questions about long-term funding have been stumbling blocks in signing pharmacare deals, say some premiers

Provinces including New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, and Nova Scotia say they’re interested in a pharmacare deal, but want to see more consideration for their provinces’ unique needs, and details on whether they can depend on long-term funding. New Brunswick is “not seeing a lot of flexibility with the government right now. It feels like a bit of a take-it-or-leave it deal...

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Little appetite for return to two-party Upper Chamber among former and current Senate leaders

first appointments to fill Upper Chamber vacancies, a number of past, current, and incoming group leaders are clearly stating they want to see the continuation of the independent model that began under the previous Liberal government. “It’s certainly possible that we could see another political party in the Senate, maybe the return of a Liberal caucus. But I think many...

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Losing measles elimination status makes Canada a ‘pariah,’ says Liberal MP

One week after Canada lost its measles elimination status, some MPs say the development is an unfortunate “milestone,” and has turned this country into a “pariah.” “It makes us a pariah. It’s what we see in a lot of developing countries. This is ridiculous. I mean, measles was eliminated around the world even in developing countries,” said Hedy Fry (Vancouver...

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Saskatchewan, Newfoundland, Nunavut, and Northwest Territories all open to pharmacare talks, but say they’re not taking place

Both Saskatchewan and Nunavut are open to conversations about a national pharmacare program, but say they are not in active talks with the federal government. Newfoundland and Labrador says it has reached out to Health Canada to “re-engage” in conversations, but did not say whether the federal department has responded. These are some of the answers to questions sent by...

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Health Canada plan forecasts a $1-billion spending drop by 2027-28

The department could also see a staff reduction of nearly 2,000 bureaucrats by 2028. Expiring funding for programs that include the National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Diseases and the Emergency Treatment Fund could lead to a drop of $1-billion in spending between the 2025-26 and 2027-28 fiscal years, according to Health Canada’s most recent departmental plan. “For expiring budgetary...

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Health minister wants more time for pharmacare deals, but NDP health critic says they can be signed in the ‘next few days’

The fate of Canada’s pharmacare plan—for which not a single province has signed on—is unclear as Parliament remains prorogued with the possibility of a spring election to follow. Part of the plan requires provinces and territories to sign bilateral agreements in order to receive their share of the $1.5-billion that has been set aside to help the jurisdictions cover a...

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‘One-off funding announcements’ not the way to fix homelessness and substance use, says Burlington mayor

A new campaign from a group of mayors representing Ontario’s largest cities is demanding the provincial government develop an action plan for homelessness, mental health, and substance use, while also telling the feds they should be at the table as this is a national crisis. “There needs to be a comprehensive nationwide strategy,” said Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward in...

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Pharmacare bill and Liberal messaging at odds, confusing stakeholders on vision for ‘single-payer’ system

The Liberal government’s highly anticipated pharmacare bill promises a single-payer program, but what that means exactly is unclear as Health Minister Mark Holland continues to say publicly that people on private insurance plans can keep using those plans.