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Tuesday, November 11, 2025

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Tessie Sanci

Tessie Sanci is a deputy editor at The Hill Times, where she focuses on federal health policy. She was previously the executive editor of Hill Times Health, and The Lobby Monitor, which are also a part of Hill Times Publishing.

Feds focused on ‘streamlining’ programs, says health minister after budget fails to provide new money for mental health or substance use

  • Health Minister Marjorie Michel says that funds remain available through existing bilateral agreements and the Emergency Treatment Fund.
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 10, 2025
Health Minister Marjorie Michel at an announcement in Ottawa on Oct. 2, 2025. "We are focusing on streamlining some programs,” said Michel about the absence of new mental health and addictions support program money in the budget. “But, if you look, we protected health care [through the] transfers.” The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds focused on ‘streamlining’ programs, says health minister after budget fails to provide new money for mental health or substance use

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 10, 2025
  • Health Minister Marjorie Michel says that funds remain available through existing bilateral agreements and the Emergency Treatment Fund.

Feds focused on ‘streamlining’ programs, says health minister after budget fails to provide new money for mental health or substance use

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 10, 2025
  • Health Minister Marjorie Michel says that funds remain available through existing bilateral agreements and the Emergency Treatment Fund.
Health Minister Marjorie Michel at an announcement in Ottawa on Oct. 2, 2025. "We are focusing on streamlining some programs,” said Michel about the absence of new mental health and addictions support program money in the budget. “But, if you look, we protected health care [through the] transfers.” The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Winners and losers you might have missed in the federal budget

  • Prime Minister Mark Carney plans to run a deficit in the tens of billions of dollars for years to come, but despite his warning
News | BY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA, MARLO GLASS, ELEANOR WAND, TESSIE SANCI | November 5, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, and Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne presented their first federal budget on Nov. 4. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Winners and losers you might have missed in the federal budget

News | BY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA, MARLO GLASS, ELEANOR WAND, TESSIE SANCI | November 5, 2025
  • Prime Minister Mark Carney plans to run a deficit in the tens of billions of dollars for years to come, but despite his warning

Winners and losers you might have missed in the federal budget

News | BY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA, MARLO GLASS, ELEANOR WAND, TESSIE SANCI | November 5, 2025
  • Prime Minister Mark Carney plans to run a deficit in the tens of billions of dollars for years to come, but despite his warning
Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, and Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne presented their first federal budget on Nov. 4. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada reacts to the budget

  • Plus, the Liberal benches gain an extra member, and the Supreme Court begins a hearing on whether MPs can limit their own free speech
FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA, TESSIE SANCI, ELEANOR WAND, MARLO GLASS | November 5, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, and Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne will start selling their budget in earnest to the Canadian public today. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada reacts to the budget

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA, TESSIE SANCI, ELEANOR WAND, MARLO GLASS | November 5, 2025
  • Plus, the Liberal benches gain an extra member, and the Supreme Court begins a hearing on whether MPs can limit their own free speech

Canada reacts to the budget

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA, TESSIE SANCI, ELEANOR WAND, MARLO GLASS | November 5, 2025
  • Plus, the Liberal benches gain an extra member, and the Supreme Court begins a hearing on whether MPs can limit their own free speech
Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, and Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne will start selling their budget in earnest to the Canadian public today. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney government promises to spend $81.8-billion over five years on defence

  • The funding boost is a part of Canada’s commitment to meet spending targets set by NATO.
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 4, 2025
Defence Minister David McGuinty’s department is one of the few not expected to cut spending by 7.5 per cent in 2026-27, and instead will meet a two-per-cent target. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney government promises to spend $81.8-billion over five years on defence

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 4, 2025
  • The funding boost is a part of Canada’s commitment to meet spending targets set by NATO.

Carney government promises to spend $81.8-billion over five years on defence

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 4, 2025
  • The funding boost is a part of Canada’s commitment to meet spending targets set by NATO.
Defence Minister David McGuinty’s department is one of the few not expected to cut spending by 7.5 per cent in 2026-27, and instead will meet a two-per-cent target. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney Liberals focus on health infrastructure, but no new funding for mental health, substance use programs in budget

  • A number of health programs—including the Emergency Treatment Fund—will expire in 2026-27, delaying decisions for some programs into the future.
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 4, 2025
Federal Minister of Health Marjorie Michel. The federal budget has little to no mention of investments for health initiatives that have been a focus in previous years such as mental health, pharmacare, and substance use and addictions.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney Liberals focus on health infrastructure, but no new funding for mental health, substance use programs in budget

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 4, 2025
  • A number of health programs—including the Emergency Treatment Fund—will expire in 2026-27, delaying decisions for some programs into the future.

Carney Liberals focus on health infrastructure, but no new funding for mental health, substance use programs in budget

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 4, 2025
  • A number of health programs—including the Emergency Treatment Fund—will expire in 2026-27, delaying decisions for some programs into the future.
Federal Minister of Health Marjorie Michel. The federal budget has little to no mention of investments for health initiatives that have been a focus in previous years such as mental health, pharmacare, and substance use and addictions.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Health innovation groups say they hope governments’ ‘Buy Canadian’ mentality hits their sector

  • Large American firms are ‘kind of monopolizing’ health care procurement in Canada, says Council of Canadian Innovators’ Skaidra Puodžiūnas.
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 3, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney has said his government will implement a 'Buy Canadian' policy to boost this country's economy and local companies. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Health innovation groups say they hope governments’ ‘Buy Canadian’ mentality hits their sector

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 3, 2025
  • Large American firms are ‘kind of monopolizing’ health care procurement in Canada, says Council of Canadian Innovators’ Skaidra Puodžiūnas.

Health innovation groups say they hope governments’ ‘Buy Canadian’ mentality hits their sector

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 3, 2025
  • Large American firms are ‘kind of monopolizing’ health care procurement in Canada, says Council of Canadian Innovators’ Skaidra Puodžiūnas.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has said his government will implement a 'Buy Canadian' policy to boost this country's economy and local companies. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Health innovation groups say they hope governments’ ‘Buy Canadian’ mentality hits their sector

  • Large American firms are ‘kind of monopolizing’ health care procurement in Canada, says Council of Canadian Innovators’ Skaidra Puodžiūnas.
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 3, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney has said his government will implement a 'Buy Canadian' policy to boost this country's economy and local companies. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Health innovation groups say they hope governments’ ‘Buy Canadian’ mentality hits their sector

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 3, 2025
  • Large American firms are ‘kind of monopolizing’ health care procurement in Canada, says Council of Canadian Innovators’ Skaidra Puodžiūnas.

Health innovation groups say they hope governments’ ‘Buy Canadian’ mentality hits their sector

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 3, 2025
  • Large American firms are ‘kind of monopolizing’ health care procurement in Canada, says Council of Canadian Innovators’ Skaidra Puodžiūnas.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has said his government will implement a 'Buy Canadian' policy to boost this country's economy and local companies. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

CMA leads health lobbying in lead up to budget

  • MPs have been on the Hill for less than three months this year thanks to prorogation this past winter and the spring election campaign,
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | October 27, 2025
Health Minister Marjorie Michel is named in 29 communication reports since joining cabinet in May. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

CMA leads health lobbying in lead up to budget

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | October 27, 2025
  • MPs have been on the Hill for less than three months this year thanks to prorogation this past winter and the spring election campaign,

CMA leads health lobbying in lead up to budget

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | October 27, 2025
  • MPs have been on the Hill for less than three months this year thanks to prorogation this past winter and the spring election campaign,
Health Minister Marjorie Michel is named in 29 communication reports since joining cabinet in May. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Stakeholders lament lack of timelines, ‘concrete’ action plans for fixing health care after ministers’ annual meeting

  • Health Minister Marjorie Michel said something could happen with pan-Canadian licensure for doctors in 2026 but the organization responsible for this work isn’t making
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | October 27, 2025
Linda Silas, front, at an event in Ottawa earlier this year, with Jason MacLean, chair of the Canadian Health Coalition. Silas told The Hill Times that she felt there was a lack of 'directives' from the health ministers after their meeting about how they were going to tackle pan-Canadian licensing and violence against health care workers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Stakeholders lament lack of timelines, ‘concrete’ action plans for fixing health care after ministers’ annual meeting

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | October 27, 2025
  • Health Minister Marjorie Michel said something could happen with pan-Canadian licensure for doctors in 2026 but the organization responsible for this work isn’t making

Stakeholders lament lack of timelines, ‘concrete’ action plans for fixing health care after ministers’ annual meeting

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | October 27, 2025
  • Health Minister Marjorie Michel said something could happen with pan-Canadian licensure for doctors in 2026 but the organization responsible for this work isn’t making
Linda Silas, front, at an event in Ottawa earlier this year, with Jason MacLean, chair of the Canadian Health Coalition. Silas told The Hill Times that she felt there was a lack of 'directives' from the health ministers after their meeting about how they were going to tackle pan-Canadian licensing and violence against health care workers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

AI study and Senate bills on alcohol warnings and sickle cell disease framework on Senate Social Affairs Committee’s agenda

  • Policy priorities for some Senate committee members also include digital health technologies, the impacts of climate disasters, and medical assistance in dying.
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | October 20, 2025
Non-Affiliated Senator Patrick Brazeau, left, CSG Senator Gigi Osler, and PSG Senator Katherine Hay all sit on the Senate Social Affairs Committee, which is currently studying Brazeau's bill to add warning labels to the packages of alcoholic beverages. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia

AI study and Senate bills on alcohol warnings and sickle cell disease framework on Senate Social Affairs Committee’s agenda

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | October 20, 2025
  • Policy priorities for some Senate committee members also include digital health technologies, the impacts of climate disasters, and medical assistance in dying.

AI study and Senate bills on alcohol warnings and sickle cell disease framework on Senate Social Affairs Committee’s agenda

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | October 20, 2025
  • Policy priorities for some Senate committee members also include digital health technologies, the impacts of climate disasters, and medical assistance in dying.
Non-Affiliated Senator Patrick Brazeau, left, CSG Senator Gigi Osler, and PSG Senator Katherine Hay all sit on the Senate Social Affairs Committee, which is currently studying Brazeau's bill to add warning labels to the packages of alcoholic beverages. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia

Recent health spending comes from Trudeau era, but fits with current Liberal focus on health prevention, lowering costs, consultants say

  • The Nov. 4 budget and this week's health ministers’ meeting are the Carney government’s chance to communicate a distinct health policy agenda.
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | October 13, 2025
Health Minister Marjorie Michel, pictured at a press conference in Ottawa on Oct. 2, has thus far made announcements based on funding set aside by the previous Liberal government. Stakeholders will look to this fall’s budget and this week’s health ministers’ meeting to have a deeper understanding of her priorities. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Recent health spending comes from Trudeau era, but fits with current Liberal focus on health prevention, lowering costs, consultants say

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | October 13, 2025
  • The Nov. 4 budget and this week's health ministers’ meeting are the Carney government’s chance to communicate a distinct health policy agenda.

Recent health spending comes from Trudeau era, but fits with current Liberal focus on health prevention, lowering costs, consultants say

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | October 13, 2025
  • The Nov. 4 budget and this week's health ministers’ meeting are the Carney government’s chance to communicate a distinct health policy agenda.
Health Minister Marjorie Michel, pictured at a press conference in Ottawa on Oct. 2, has thus far made announcements based on funding set aside by the previous Liberal government. Stakeholders will look to this fall’s budget and this week’s health ministers’ meeting to have a deeper understanding of her priorities. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Cutting red tape,’ mental health and primary care on the health docket this fall

  • Amid the Liberals’ focus on building a stronger economy, Health Minister Marjorie Michel’s office says that faster access to new medicines and supporting researchers
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | September 15, 2025
Health Minister Marjorie Michel. Health priorities are in part meant to fit with the Carney's government's work on building a stronger Canadian economy, according to consultants. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

‘Cutting red tape,’ mental health and primary care on the health docket this fall

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | September 15, 2025
  • Amid the Liberals’ focus on building a stronger economy, Health Minister Marjorie Michel’s office says that faster access to new medicines and supporting researchers

‘Cutting red tape,’ mental health and primary care on the health docket this fall

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | September 15, 2025
  • Amid the Liberals’ focus on building a stronger economy, Health Minister Marjorie Michel’s office says that faster access to new medicines and supporting researchers
Health Minister Marjorie Michel. Health priorities are in part meant to fit with the Carney's government's work on building a stronger Canadian economy, according to consultants. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

‘Cutting red tape,’ mental health and primary care on the health docket this fall

  • Amid the Liberals’ focus on building a stronger economy, Health Minister Marjorie Michel’s office says that faster access to new medicines and supporting researchers
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | September 15, 2025
Health Minister Marjorie Michel. Health priorities are in part meant to fit with the Carney's government's work on building a stronger Canadian economy, according to consultants. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

‘Cutting red tape,’ mental health and primary care on the health docket this fall

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | September 15, 2025
  • Amid the Liberals’ focus on building a stronger economy, Health Minister Marjorie Michel’s office says that faster access to new medicines and supporting researchers

‘Cutting red tape,’ mental health and primary care on the health docket this fall

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | September 15, 2025
  • Amid the Liberals’ focus on building a stronger economy, Health Minister Marjorie Michel’s office says that faster access to new medicines and supporting researchers
Health Minister Marjorie Michel. Health priorities are in part meant to fit with the Carney's government's work on building a stronger Canadian economy, according to consultants. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

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

  • The Carney government’s commitment to a national program is in question after the Liberals promised to ‘protect’ pharmacare during the 2025 campaign. Health Minister
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | August 18, 2025
Marjorie Michel
Marjorie Michel
Health Minister Marjorie Michel is in charge of any future work connected to a national single-payer pharmacare program. However, what that program will look like is unknown as her office is not committing to negotiating deals with provinces and territories that had not signed up prior to the 2025 election. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | August 18, 2025
  • The Carney government’s commitment to a national program is in question after the Liberals promised to ‘protect’ pharmacare during the 2025 campaign. Health Minister

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

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | August 18, 2025
  • The Carney government’s commitment to a national program is in question after the Liberals promised to ‘protect’ pharmacare during the 2025 campaign. Health Minister
Marjorie Michel
Health Minister Marjorie Michel is in charge of any future work connected to a national single-payer pharmacare program. However, what that program will look like is unknown as her office is not committing to negotiating deals with provinces and territories that had not signed up prior to the 2025 election. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Ottawa needs to do more to recognize Newfoundland and Labrador’s ‘positive impact’ on national agenda, says former premier Ball

  • A recent study of the provinces found that Newfoundland and Labrador residents are the most frustrated with their place in Canada. Among the reasons for
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | August 17, 2025
Former Newfoundland premier Dwight Ball says his province has the natural resources and the people to help the federal government with its plan for big national projects, and that Ottawa just has to recognize it. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Ottawa needs to do more to recognize Newfoundland and Labrador’s ‘positive impact’ on national agenda, says former premier Ball

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | August 17, 2025
  • A recent study of the provinces found that Newfoundland and Labrador residents are the most frustrated with their place in Canada. Among the reasons for

Ottawa needs to do more to recognize Newfoundland and Labrador’s ‘positive impact’ on national agenda, says former premier Ball

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | August 17, 2025
  • A recent study of the provinces found that Newfoundland and Labrador residents are the most frustrated with their place in Canada. Among the reasons for
Former Newfoundland premier Dwight Ball says his province has the natural resources and the people to help the federal government with its plan for big national projects, and that Ottawa just has to recognize it. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Less focus on COVID-19 expected to lead to $650-million spending cuts for PHAC by 2027-2028

  • Overall spending, including internal services, could drop by nearly $650-million, from approximately $1.83-billion in 2025-26 to $1.18-billion in 2027-28. Expiring funding for some mental
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | August 11, 2025
Then-deputy chief public health officer Dr. Howard Njoo, left, and then-chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam at a press conference in 2020. Following Tam’s departure from the public health agency this past June, Njoo is now the interim chief public health officer. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Less focus on COVID-19 expected to lead to $650-million spending cuts for PHAC by 2027-2028

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | August 11, 2025
  • Overall spending, including internal services, could drop by nearly $650-million, from approximately $1.83-billion in 2025-26 to $1.18-billion in 2027-28. Expiring funding for some mental

Less focus on COVID-19 expected to lead to $650-million spending cuts for PHAC by 2027-2028

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | August 11, 2025
  • Overall spending, including internal services, could drop by nearly $650-million, from approximately $1.83-billion in 2025-26 to $1.18-billion in 2027-28. Expiring funding for some mental
Then-deputy chief public health officer Dr. Howard Njoo, left, and then-chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam at a press conference in 2020. Following Tam’s departure from the public health agency this past June, Njoo is now the interim chief public health officer. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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.
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | July 28, 2025
Marjorie Michel
Marjorie Michel
Health Minister Marjorie Michel inherits a portfolio under which major programs were initiated by former prime minister Justin Trudeau’s government. Those include the early stages of national pharmacare and an income-based national dental care program. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | July 28, 2025
  • The department could also see a staff reduction of nearly 2,000 bureaucrats by 2028.

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

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | July 28, 2025
  • The department could also see a staff reduction of nearly 2,000 bureaucrats by 2028.
Marjorie Michel
Health Minister Marjorie Michel inherits a portfolio under which major programs were initiated by former prime minister Justin Trudeau’s government. Those include the early stages of national pharmacare and an income-based national dental care program. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

U.S. tariffs on pharmaceuticals could complicate an already complex supply chain

  • Drug companies could begin questioning whether to manufacture drugs or conduct clinical trials in Canada, says Life Sciences Ontario CEO.
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | July 27, 2025
Donald Trump
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump recently told reporters that he may announce his final decision on pharmaceutical tariffs at the end of July. Photograph courtesy of White House photographer by Daniel Torok

U.S. tariffs on pharmaceuticals could complicate an already complex supply chain

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | July 27, 2025
  • Drug companies could begin questioning whether to manufacture drugs or conduct clinical trials in Canada, says Life Sciences Ontario CEO.

U.S. tariffs on pharmaceuticals could complicate an already complex supply chain

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | July 27, 2025
  • Drug companies could begin questioning whether to manufacture drugs or conduct clinical trials in Canada, says Life Sciences Ontario CEO.
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump recently told reporters that he may announce his final decision on pharmaceutical tariffs at the end of July. Photograph courtesy of White House photographer by Daniel Torok

Health minister won’t commit to tabling safe long-term care bill

  • The bill was initially promised by Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government following the thousands of deaths that occurred in long-term care during the initial waves
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | July 21, 2025
Marjorie Michel
Marjorie Michel
Health Minister Marjorie Michel takes over from previous Liberal health ministers who said they would move ahead with safe long-term care legislation. However, Health Canada's 2025-26 departmental plan makes no mention of the promise. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Health minister won’t commit to tabling safe long-term care bill

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | July 21, 2025
  • The bill was initially promised by Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government following the thousands of deaths that occurred in long-term care during the initial waves

Health minister won’t commit to tabling safe long-term care bill

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | July 21, 2025
  • The bill was initially promised by Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government following the thousands of deaths that occurred in long-term care during the initial waves
Marjorie Michel
Health Minister Marjorie Michel takes over from previous Liberal health ministers who said they would move ahead with safe long-term care legislation. However, Health Canada's 2025-26 departmental plan makes no mention of the promise. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A different ‘philosophy’ steers new drug pricing guidelines, says top PMPRB bureaucrat after contentious path to rule changes  

  • Guideline changes became necessary after Justin Trudeau's government chose to amend the Patented Medicines Regulations, a process beset with legal challenges and many delays.
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | July 20, 2025
Guillaume Couillard became director general of the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board in April 2023. He now leads a team that will monitor and review drug prices under new guidelines to enforce regulations that were put into force in July 2022. Photograph courtesy of the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board

A different ‘philosophy’ steers new drug pricing guidelines, says top PMPRB bureaucrat after contentious path to rule changes  

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | July 20, 2025
  • Guideline changes became necessary after Justin Trudeau's government chose to amend the Patented Medicines Regulations, a process beset with legal challenges and many delays.

A different ‘philosophy’ steers new drug pricing guidelines, says top PMPRB bureaucrat after contentious path to rule changes  

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | July 20, 2025
  • Guideline changes became necessary after Justin Trudeau's government chose to amend the Patented Medicines Regulations, a process beset with legal challenges and many delays.
Guillaume Couillard became director general of the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board in April 2023. He now leads a team that will monitor and review drug prices under new guidelines to enforce regulations that were put into force in July 2022. Photograph courtesy of the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board

Canada’s next top doctor must be a ‘focal point’ for public health amid changes in the U.S., concerns about next pandemic

  • Dr. Theresa Tam has left the job of chief public health officer after eight years. Her successor will have to contend with a change
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | June 30, 2025
Theresa Tam
Theresa Tam
Dr. Theresa Tam was Canada’s chief public health officer between June 26, 2017, and June 20, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s next top doctor must be a ‘focal point’ for public health amid changes in the U.S., concerns about next pandemic

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | June 30, 2025
  • Dr. Theresa Tam has left the job of chief public health officer after eight years. Her successor will have to contend with a change

Canada’s next top doctor must be a ‘focal point’ for public health amid changes in the U.S., concerns about next pandemic

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | June 30, 2025
  • Dr. Theresa Tam has left the job of chief public health officer after eight years. Her successor will have to contend with a change
Theresa Tam
Dr. Theresa Tam was Canada’s chief public health officer between June 26, 2017, and June 20, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

It’s time for Ottawa to fully fund NIHB program, say Northwest Territories and Nunavut health ministers

  • Nunavut Health Minister John Main and his Northwest Territories counterpart Lesa Semmler were in Ottawa to discuss viable funding for the federal Non-Insured Health
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | June 16, 2025
After becoming Indigenous services minister on May 13, Mandy Gull-Masty is now in charge of a process to renew agreements for Non-Insured Health Benefits funding. Both Nunavut and the Northwest Territories have been without an agreement since March 31, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade.

It’s time for Ottawa to fully fund NIHB program, say Northwest Territories and Nunavut health ministers

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | June 16, 2025
  • Nunavut Health Minister John Main and his Northwest Territories counterpart Lesa Semmler were in Ottawa to discuss viable funding for the federal Non-Insured Health

It’s time for Ottawa to fully fund NIHB program, say Northwest Territories and Nunavut health ministers

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | June 16, 2025
  • Nunavut Health Minister John Main and his Northwest Territories counterpart Lesa Semmler were in Ottawa to discuss viable funding for the federal Non-Insured Health
After becoming Indigenous services minister on May 13, Mandy Gull-Masty is now in charge of a process to renew agreements for Non-Insured Health Benefits funding. Both Nunavut and the Northwest Territories have been without an agreement since March 31, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade.

From Haiti to the PMO to cabinet: Canada’s new Health Minister Michel reflects on her front-row seat in politics

  • Before becoming involved in Canadian politics, Marjorie Michel was the daughter of a Haitian prime minister. Politics is 'not really a privilege, it's like
FeatureBY TESSIE SANCI | June 9, 2025
Marjorie Michel
Marjorie Michel
Health Minister Marjorie Michel sits for an interview with The Hill Times in West Block on May 29, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

From Haiti to the PMO to cabinet: Canada’s new Health Minister Michel reflects on her front-row seat in politics

FeatureBY TESSIE SANCI | June 9, 2025
  • Before becoming involved in Canadian politics, Marjorie Michel was the daughter of a Haitian prime minister. Politics is 'not really a privilege, it's like

From Haiti to the PMO to cabinet: Canada’s new Health Minister Michel reflects on her front-row seat in politics

FeatureBY TESSIE SANCI | June 9, 2025
  • Before becoming involved in Canadian politics, Marjorie Michel was the daughter of a Haitian prime minister. Politics is 'not really a privilege, it's like
Marjorie Michel
Health Minister Marjorie Michel sits for an interview with The Hill Times in West Block on May 29, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Health minister says mental health and access to care are on her list of priorities

  • Health Minister Marjorie Michel says she has been communicating with her provincial and territorial counterparts as she develops a list of policy tasks.
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | June 5, 2025
Marjorie Michel
Marjorie Michel
Health Minister Marjorie Michel sits for an interview with The Hill Times in West Block on May 29, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Health minister says mental health and access to care are on her list of priorities

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | June 5, 2025
  • Health Minister Marjorie Michel says she has been communicating with her provincial and territorial counterparts as she develops a list of policy tasks.

Health minister says mental health and access to care are on her list of priorities

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | June 5, 2025
  • Health Minister Marjorie Michel says she has been communicating with her provincial and territorial counterparts as she develops a list of policy tasks.
Marjorie Michel
Health Minister Marjorie Michel sits for an interview with The Hill Times in West Block on May 29, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau era’s ‘activist’ health policy moves likely in the rear-view mirror, say consultants

  • Major health policy shifts including cannabis legalization and national dental care were introduced by the last Liberal government, but the path forward for this
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | June 2, 2025
Liberal MP Marjorie Michel, centre, pictured with Prime Minister Mark Carney and Governor General Mary Simon at the cabinet swearing-in on May 13, is the minister now tasked with driving forward Carney's health agenda. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia for The Hill Times

Trudeau era’s ‘activist’ health policy moves likely in the rear-view mirror, say consultants

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | June 2, 2025
  • Major health policy shifts including cannabis legalization and national dental care were introduced by the last Liberal government, but the path forward for this

Trudeau era’s ‘activist’ health policy moves likely in the rear-view mirror, say consultants

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | June 2, 2025
  • Major health policy shifts including cannabis legalization and national dental care were introduced by the last Liberal government, but the path forward for this
Liberal MP Marjorie Michel, centre, pictured with Prime Minister Mark Carney and Governor General Mary Simon at the cabinet swearing-in on May 13, is the minister now tasked with driving forward Carney's health agenda. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia for The Hill Times

Now-eliminated mental health and addictions cabinet post ‘shone a brighter light’ on issues, but also caused some confusion, stakeholders say

  • The new Liberal cabinet no longer includes a seat for a mental health and addictions minister after former prime minister Justin Trudeau created the
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | May 26, 2025
Health Minister Marjorie Michel, left, is sworn in as a cabinet minister by PCO Clerk John Hannaford, right, on May 13, 2025, at Rideau Hall as Governor General Mary Simon and Prime Minister Mark Carney look on. The Hill Times Photograph by Sam Garcia

Now-eliminated mental health and addictions cabinet post ‘shone a brighter light’ on issues, but also caused some confusion, stakeholders say

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | May 26, 2025
  • The new Liberal cabinet no longer includes a seat for a mental health and addictions minister after former prime minister Justin Trudeau created the

Now-eliminated mental health and addictions cabinet post ‘shone a brighter light’ on issues, but also caused some confusion, stakeholders say

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | May 26, 2025
  • The new Liberal cabinet no longer includes a seat for a mental health and addictions minister after former prime minister Justin Trudeau created the
Health Minister Marjorie Michel, left, is sworn in as a cabinet minister by PCO Clerk John Hannaford, right, on May 13, 2025, at Rideau Hall as Governor General Mary Simon and Prime Minister Mark Carney look on. The Hill Times Photograph by Sam Garcia

Liberals to push ahead with pharmacare, but program’s fate under Conservatives is unclear

  • Health Minister Kamal Khera highlighted Yukon signing onto the pharmacare deal since Mark Carney became prime minister, saying the Liberal government 'will continue to
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | March 26, 2025
Kamal Khera
Kamal Khera
Health Minister Kamal Khera said that the Liberal Party will continue to focus on delivering diabetes medication and oral contraception that is 'changing lives.' Bilateral deals for pharmacare funding have now been signed by four provinces and territories. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Liberals to push ahead with pharmacare, but program’s fate under Conservatives is unclear

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | March 26, 2025
  • Health Minister Kamal Khera highlighted Yukon signing onto the pharmacare deal since Mark Carney became prime minister, saying the Liberal government 'will continue to

Liberals to push ahead with pharmacare, but program’s fate under Conservatives is unclear

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | March 26, 2025
  • Health Minister Kamal Khera highlighted Yukon signing onto the pharmacare deal since Mark Carney became prime minister, saying the Liberal government 'will continue to
Kamal Khera
Health Minister Kamal Khera said that the Liberal Party will continue to focus on delivering diabetes medication and oral contraception that is 'changing lives.' Bilateral deals for pharmacare funding have now been signed by four provinces and territories. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
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‘One-off funding announcements’ not the way to fix homelessness and substance use, says Burlington mayor

  • A group representing Ontario’s big cities is calling on the province to appoint a minister to lead a plan to tackle homelessness, mental health,
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | August 16, 2024
Ya’ara Saks
Ya’ara Saks
Mental Health and Addictions Minister Ya’ara Saks did not reply to a request for comment from Hill Times Health about calls from Ontario’s big city mayors for Ottawa to step up on homelessness, mental health, and substance use. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | August 16, 2024
  • A group representing Ontario’s big cities is calling on the province to appoint a minister to lead a plan to tackle homelessness, mental health,

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

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | August 16, 2024
  • A group representing Ontario’s big cities is calling on the province to appoint a minister to lead a plan to tackle homelessness, mental health,
Ya’ara Saks
Mental Health and Addictions Minister Ya’ara Saks did not reply to a request for comment from Hill Times Health about calls from Ontario’s big city mayors for Ottawa to step up on homelessness, mental health, and substance use. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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

  • The language in the pharmacare bill is ‘fatally flawed,’ according to pharmacare expert Dr. Steve Morgan.
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | June 8, 2024
Mark Holland
Mark Holland
Despite the pharmacare bill referencing only a ‘single-payer’ program, Health Minister Mark Holland says people with private insurance for contraceptives and diabetes-related pharmaceuticals can keep their plans following the implementation of national pharmacare. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | June 8, 2024
  • The language in the pharmacare bill is ‘fatally flawed,’ according to pharmacare expert Dr. Steve Morgan.

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

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | June 8, 2024
  • The language in the pharmacare bill is ‘fatally flawed,’ according to pharmacare expert Dr. Steve Morgan.
Mark Holland
Despite the pharmacare bill referencing only a ‘single-payer’ program, Health Minister Mark Holland says people with private insurance for contraceptives and diabetes-related pharmaceuticals can keep their plans following the implementation of national pharmacare. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canadian access to pork insulin at risk if Health Canada adopts 1,400 per cent fee increase, says sole supplier

  • This story is an exclusive from Hill Times Research Health. To find out more, register for a free trial now. A Health Canada decision
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | August 13, 2021
Health Minister Patty Hajdu is facing calls to stop her department from charging Wockhardt UK the standard base fee for importing medicines into Canada. The company was previously subject to a heavily discounted fee to account for its low volume of sales of pork insulin in Canada. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canadian access to pork insulin at risk if Health Canada adopts 1,400 per cent fee increase, says sole supplier

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | August 13, 2021
  • This story is an exclusive from Hill Times Research Health. To find out more, register for a free trial now. A Health Canada decision

Canadian access to pork insulin at risk if Health Canada adopts 1,400 per cent fee increase, says sole supplier

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | August 13, 2021
  • This story is an exclusive from Hill Times Research Health. To find out more, register for a free trial now. A Health Canada decision
Health Minister Patty Hajdu is facing calls to stop her department from charging Wockhardt UK the standard base fee for importing medicines into Canada. The company was previously subject to a heavily discounted fee to account for its low volume of sales of pork insulin in Canada. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Health Canada’s COVID-19 task force ‘likely working night and day’ as bureaucrats across departments hammer out policy response

  • The global nature of the COVID-19 pandemic is demonstrated by a “whole-of-government” approach that has captured bureaucrats from many federal departments to form Health
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | April 13, 2020
Health Minister Patty Hajdu provides an update on the government’s COVID-19 response in the West Block on April 2. Behind the scenes, a task force of bureaucrats is working at a ‘hectic’ pace to provide the policy backbone. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Health Canada’s COVID-19 task force ‘likely working night and day’ as bureaucrats across departments hammer out policy response

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | April 13, 2020
  • The global nature of the COVID-19 pandemic is demonstrated by a “whole-of-government” approach that has captured bureaucrats from many federal departments to form Health

Health Canada’s COVID-19 task force ‘likely working night and day’ as bureaucrats across departments hammer out policy response

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | April 13, 2020
  • The global nature of the COVID-19 pandemic is demonstrated by a “whole-of-government” approach that has captured bureaucrats from many federal departments to form Health
Health Minister Patty Hajdu provides an update on the government’s COVID-19 response in the West Block on April 2. Behind the scenes, a task force of bureaucrats is working at a ‘hectic’ pace to provide the policy backbone. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s chief public health officers take centre stage amid COVID-19 crisis

  • Chief public health officers across the country now have a public profile never before seen in this country, thanks to their position as the
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | March 27, 2020
Dr. Theresa Tam and her deputy, Dr. Howard Njoo, have become recurring fixtures in Canadians' lives, thanks to their public-facing role in communicating the feds' response to COVID-19 pandemic. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s chief public health officers take centre stage amid COVID-19 crisis

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | March 27, 2020
  • Chief public health officers across the country now have a public profile never before seen in this country, thanks to their position as the

Canada’s chief public health officers take centre stage amid COVID-19 crisis

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | March 27, 2020
  • Chief public health officers across the country now have a public profile never before seen in this country, thanks to their position as the
Dr. Theresa Tam and her deputy, Dr. Howard Njoo, have become recurring fixtures in Canadians' lives, thanks to their public-facing role in communicating the feds' response to COVID-19 pandemic. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Millennials influence parties’ key policy promises, outreach efforts

  • With millennials making up about one-third of Canadian voters, most political parties have been eager to develop policy platforms and appealing messaging to entice
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | October 21, 2019
Thousands of protesters, many of them young Canadians not yet old enough to vote, took to the streets of Ottawa on Sept. 27 to call on political leaders to do more to curb greenhouse gas emissions. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Millennials influence parties’ key policy promises, outreach efforts

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | October 21, 2019
  • With millennials making up about one-third of Canadian voters, most political parties have been eager to develop policy platforms and appealing messaging to entice

Millennials influence parties’ key policy promises, outreach efforts

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | October 21, 2019
  • With millennials making up about one-third of Canadian voters, most political parties have been eager to develop policy platforms and appealing messaging to entice
Thousands of protesters, many of them young Canadians not yet old enough to vote, took to the streets of Ottawa on Sept. 27 to call on political leaders to do more to curb greenhouse gas emissions. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

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