Government & Policy

MONTREAL - Quebec psychiatrists are calling on the province’s next government to appoint a dedicated minister of mental health. The call is part of six actions unveiled in the Quebec Association of Psychiatrists’ (AMPQ) Mental Health 2026 platform. Read More

CALGARY - The Alberta government is following through on its plan to introduce a self-referral model of preventative medical testing whereby patients can pay out-of-pocket or via private insurance in an effort to cut into lengthy waiting lists. However, critics say it will only benefit those with money to spend and may further burden the public system. Read More

TORONTO — The Ontario government is taking the next step toward creating a new province-wide Primary Care Medical Record system by launching a competitive procurement process, led by Supply Ontario, to establish a Vendor of Record arrangement. Read More

TROIS-RIVIÈRES, Que. - Evan Solomon (pictured), minister of artificial intelligence and digital innovation, last week announced funding of $13.5 million for 63 Quebec organizations. These investments were granted under the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII), which supports projects aimed at either developing and marketing AI solutions or integrating these solutions into SMEs’ operations and activities. Read More

HALIFAX - Premier Tim Houston (pictured) says in many situations it would make sense to have an open competition for a newly created government job, but not in the case of the one announced last month for the former interim CEO of Nova Scotia Health. Read More

OTTAWA - The Liberal government is launching an audit and strategic review of the federally funded non-profit Canada Health Infoway after the failure of its $300-million PrescribeIT program. Read More

TORONTO - At an event hosted last week at UHN’s Toronto General Hospital, prime minister Mark Carney (pictured) announced his government’s federal AI strategy, AI For All. The plan focuses on expanding AI adoption across Canadian organizations and increasing confidence in the technology by investing in AI literacy training, job opportunities for young people and the development of sovereign infrastructure. Read More

OTTAWA - Health minister Marjorie Michel (pictured) says the government is withholding $50 million in federal funds from Canada Health Infoway, the organization responsible for the $300-million failed PrescribeIT program, until it addresses concerns about governance. Read More

EDMONTON - Alberta’s government is investing $10 million over the next three years to advance artificial intelligence and data-driven health solutions. Read More