Government & Policy

TORONTO – Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy (pictured) delivered a fall economic update earlier this month, saying the province “finds itself in a very different place than it did seven years ago” due to the onslaught of U.S. tariffs. Nevertheless, he said the deficit this year is now projected at $13.5 billion, compared to a projected $14.6 billion in the spring budget. Read More

OTTAWA - The federal budget announced that $5 billion over three years, starting in 2026-27, will be dedicated for a Health Infrastructure Fund. According to the budget, this fund will complement existing health-related support provided to provinces and territories by helping to ensure their health infrastructure, such as hospitals, emergency rooms, urgent care centres, and medical schools, will be able to respond to the healthcare needs of Canadians. Read More

REGINA - The provincial government has ordered the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) to stop using scheduling software that healthcare workers say has left them partially or totally unpaid and jeopardized some patient care. The SHA will go back to using the previous scheduling system that the new Administrative Information Management System (AIMS) is meant to replace. The switch to the old system should be complete by Nov. 30, according to the SHA. Read More

TORONTO - Ontario’s life sciences sector is taking a major leap forward with the launch of Life Sciences Central, a new collaborative initiative that brings together the commercialization services, investment networks and talent resources of three of the province’s leading innovation organizations: MaRS Discovery District (MaRS), OBIO and Toronto Innovation Acceleration Partners (TIAP). Read More

EDMONTON - A report into allegations of corruption in Alberta Health Services contracts says it was widely known two employees were in conflicts of interest, but no steps were taken by senior officials. Read More

QUEBEC CITY – Santé Québec, the less-than-year-old Crown corporation that oversees the province’s healthcare network, has now postponed one of its digital transformation projects and suspended another, citing budget concerns and issues managing the websites. The announcement comes after months of scrutiny from opposition parties concerning the digital transition. They feared a repeat of the cost overruns and major technical issues seen with the launch of Quebec’s auto insurance board’s website, SAAQclic. Read More

WINNIPEG – Manitoba’s health minister is apologizing for the troubled rollout of a new system meant to centralize scheduling for home-care workers in Winnipeg that led to cancellations and delays in service. Read More

TORONTO — The Ontario government launched the Health Innovation Pathway, a streamlined system to accelerate the adoption of new health technologies and improve patient care. The pathway will create a consistent process for reviewing and adopting technologies like medical devices and procedures, digital tools, medical imaging and screening, lab and genetic testing and models of healthcare delivery to prioritize made-in-Ontario innovations and ensure more patients receive world-class care close to home. Read More

TORONTO — Ontario’s top doctor is calling for a national immunization schedule and registry to address gaps exposed by the resurgence of measles in Canada — but first, he says his own province needs a centralized digital vaccine system. Read More