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Monday, March 9, 2026

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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.

‘What’s going on?’: Canadians wonder why Conservatives losing MPs, says Nanos of Carney’s growing popularity

  • But pollster Nik Nanos also says he thinks Iran is 'the new wildcard' in public opinion. He will be looking to see if it
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | March 9, 2026
Canadians are left wondering what three recent defections from the Conservative Party say about the leadership of Pierre Poilievre, left, says Nik Nanos, while Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, is benefitting from still being in a ‘honeymoon’ phase. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

‘What’s going on?’: Canadians wonder why Conservatives losing MPs, says Nanos of Carney’s growing popularity

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | March 9, 2026
  • But pollster Nik Nanos also says he thinks Iran is 'the new wildcard' in public opinion. He will be looking to see if it

‘What’s going on?’: Canadians wonder why Conservatives losing MPs, says Nanos of Carney’s growing popularity

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | March 9, 2026
  • But pollster Nik Nanos also says he thinks Iran is 'the new wildcard' in public opinion. He will be looking to see if it
Canadians are left wondering what three recent defections from the Conservative Party say about the leadership of Pierre Poilievre, left, says Nik Nanos, while Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, is benefitting from still being in a ‘honeymoon’ phase. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

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

  • U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing the sector to negotiate for drug prices similar to those in Canada, which could impact whether companies choose
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | March 8, 2026
Canada-U.S. Trade Dominic LeBlanc, left, and Health Minister Marjorie Michel met on Feb. 23 with Innovative Medicines Canada and pharmaceutical firm representatives to discuss the U.S.’s most favoured nation approach, and the upcoming Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement review. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia and Andrew Meade

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

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | March 8, 2026
  • U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing the sector to negotiate for drug prices similar to those in Canada, which could impact whether companies choose

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

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | March 8, 2026
  • U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing the sector to negotiate for drug prices similar to those in Canada, which could impact whether companies choose
Canada-U.S. Trade Dominic LeBlanc, left, and Health Minister Marjorie Michel met on Feb. 23 with Innovative Medicines Canada and pharmaceutical firm representatives to discuss the U.S.’s most favoured nation approach, and the upcoming Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement review. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia and Andrew Meade

Outspoken health advocate Joss Reimer talks about finding ‘common ground’ with government as she becomes Canada’s top doctor

  • Joss Reimer says she wants to tackle misinformation and disinformation, and place more emphasis on the social determinants of health and preventative health. She's
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | March 2, 2026
Dr. Joss Reimer will join the Public Health Agency of Canada as its chief public health officer on April 1, 2026. The former president of the Canadian Medical Association, the long-time physician is known for her frequent media appearances advocating for improvements to the health-care system. Photograph courtesy of the Canadian Medical Association

Outspoken health advocate Joss Reimer talks about finding ‘common ground’ with government as she becomes Canada’s top doctor

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | March 2, 2026
  • Joss Reimer says she wants to tackle misinformation and disinformation, and place more emphasis on the social determinants of health and preventative health. She's

Outspoken health advocate Joss Reimer talks about finding ‘common ground’ with government as she becomes Canada’s top doctor

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | March 2, 2026
  • Joss Reimer says she wants to tackle misinformation and disinformation, and place more emphasis on the social determinants of health and preventative health. She's
Dr. Joss Reimer will join the Public Health Agency of Canada as its chief public health officer on April 1, 2026. The former president of the Canadian Medical Association, the long-time physician is known for her frequent media appearances advocating for improvements to the health-care system. Photograph courtesy of the Canadian Medical Association

‘It’s not my bill, it’s our bill’: Senator Henkel and 50 advocacy groups push for law calling for women’s health framework

  • After her two daughters' health issues were nearly misdiagnosed, Sen. Danièle Henkel decided to focus on women’s health in the Upper Chamber. The result
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | March 1, 2026
PSG Senator Danièle Henkel speaks at a reception on behalf of Bill S-243, National Framework for Women’s Health in Canada Act, at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building on Feb. 25, 2026. Henkel introduced the bill last fall once she realized that Canada did not have an active strategy for women's health. The Hill Times photograph by Tessie Sanci

‘It’s not my bill, it’s our bill’: Senator Henkel and 50 advocacy groups push for law calling for women’s health framework

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | March 1, 2026
  • After her two daughters' health issues were nearly misdiagnosed, Sen. Danièle Henkel decided to focus on women’s health in the Upper Chamber. The result

‘It’s not my bill, it’s our bill’: Senator Henkel and 50 advocacy groups push for law calling for women’s health framework

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | March 1, 2026
  • After her two daughters' health issues were nearly misdiagnosed, Sen. Danièle Henkel decided to focus on women’s health in the Upper Chamber. The result
PSG Senator Danièle Henkel speaks at a reception on behalf of Bill S-243, National Framework for Women’s Health in Canada Act, at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building on Feb. 25, 2026. Henkel introduced the bill last fall once she realized that Canada did not have an active strategy for women's health. The Hill Times photograph by Tessie Sanci

New policy adding nurse practitioners to public health-care plans will go ahead April 1

  • The previous Liberal government told provinces and territories early last year that they would have to cover medically necessary services by non-physicians and gave
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | February 27, 2026
Health Canada, led by Minister Marjorie Michel, will require provinces and territories to report extra-billing or user charges connected to medically necessary services by nurse practitioners, midwives, and pharmacists beginning in December 2028. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

New policy adding nurse practitioners to public health-care plans will go ahead April 1

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | February 27, 2026
  • The previous Liberal government told provinces and territories early last year that they would have to cover medically necessary services by non-physicians and gave

New policy adding nurse practitioners to public health-care plans will go ahead April 1

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | February 27, 2026
  • The previous Liberal government told provinces and territories early last year that they would have to cover medically necessary services by non-physicians and gave
Health Canada, led by Minister Marjorie Michel, will require provinces and territories to report extra-billing or user charges connected to medically necessary services by nurse practitioners, midwives, and pharmacists beginning in December 2028. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Dangerous’ Bill C-12’s immigration changes give too much power to cabinet and department: Sen. McPhedran and legal rights groups

  • The bill's proposal for a new timeline for refugee applications that would be in effect starting in 2020—more than five years prior to the
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | February 23, 2026
Bill C-12 is ‘primarily designed to significantly reduce the rights of individuals wanting to come to Canada,’ says non-affiliated Senator Marilou McPhedran. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Dangerous’ Bill C-12’s immigration changes give too much power to cabinet and department: Sen. McPhedran and legal rights groups

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | February 23, 2026
  • The bill's proposal for a new timeline for refugee applications that would be in effect starting in 2020—more than five years prior to the

‘Dangerous’ Bill C-12’s immigration changes give too much power to cabinet and department: Sen. McPhedran and legal rights groups

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | February 23, 2026
  • The bill's proposal for a new timeline for refugee applications that would be in effect starting in 2020—more than five years prior to the
Bill C-12 is ‘primarily designed to significantly reduce the rights of individuals wanting to come to Canada,’ says non-affiliated Senator Marilou McPhedran. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

With seven Upper Chamber vacancies, PCO won’t say how new Senators will be appointed as Senate advisory board loses more members

  • Prime Minister Mark Carney has not made it clear how he will move ahead with appointing Senators. But others say he's got 'bigger fish
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | February 9, 2026
Prime Minister Mark Carney has not appointed members to an advisory board that makes recommendations on Senate appointments. The board is nearly empty after the terms of most members expired. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

With seven Upper Chamber vacancies, PCO won’t say how new Senators will be appointed as Senate advisory board loses more members

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | February 9, 2026
  • Prime Minister Mark Carney has not made it clear how he will move ahead with appointing Senators. But others say he's got 'bigger fish

With seven Upper Chamber vacancies, PCO won’t say how new Senators will be appointed as Senate advisory board loses more members

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | February 9, 2026
  • Prime Minister Mark Carney has not made it clear how he will move ahead with appointing Senators. But others say he's got 'bigger fish
Prime Minister Mark Carney has not appointed members to an advisory board that makes recommendations on Senate appointments. The board is nearly empty after the terms of most members expired. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Arctic security investments must also improve living conditions in the North, say territories

  • The Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut premiers were recently in Ottawa to discuss the need for funding for housing, electricity, and transportation infrastructure as
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | February 9, 2026
Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson, left, and Nunavut Premier John Main were in Ottawa late last month to discuss their jurisdictions’ needs for foundational investments in roads, housing, and electricity. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Arctic security investments must also improve living conditions in the North, say territories

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | February 9, 2026
  • The Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut premiers were recently in Ottawa to discuss the need for funding for housing, electricity, and transportation infrastructure as

Arctic security investments must also improve living conditions in the North, say territories

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | February 9, 2026
  • The Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut premiers were recently in Ottawa to discuss the need for funding for housing, electricity, and transportation infrastructure as
Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson, left, and Nunavut Premier John Main were in Ottawa late last month to discuss their jurisdictions’ needs for foundational investments in roads, housing, and electricity. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

‘Diseases do not recognize borders’: U.S. decision to leave WHO ignores reality of how diseases spread, says Liberal MP Powlowski

  • Both the MP, a practising physician, and infectious disease specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch warn that progress made in reducing the prevalence of various diseases,
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | February 2, 2026
Liberal MP Marcus Powlowski, a practising medical doctor, says that while it’s not an MP's place to provide opinion on the U.S. government's decisions, he also said he feels compelled to comment on the importance of countries supporting international institutions. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Diseases do not recognize borders’: U.S. decision to leave WHO ignores reality of how diseases spread, says Liberal MP Powlowski

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | February 2, 2026
  • Both the MP, a practising physician, and infectious disease specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch warn that progress made in reducing the prevalence of various diseases,

‘Diseases do not recognize borders’: U.S. decision to leave WHO ignores reality of how diseases spread, says Liberal MP Powlowski

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | February 2, 2026
  • Both the MP, a practising physician, and infectious disease specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch warn that progress made in reducing the prevalence of various diseases,
Liberal MP Marcus Powlowski, a practising medical doctor, says that while it’s not an MP's place to provide opinion on the U.S. government's decisions, he also said he feels compelled to comment on the importance of countries supporting international institutions. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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

  • Seven provinces and two territories don’t yet have deals even though Prime Minister Mark Carney said last fall that his government is committed to
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | February 1, 2026
New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt, left, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, centre, and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe say they are all interested in discussing a pharmacare deal with the federal government, but any deal would have to respect each individual province’s unique needs and realities. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

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

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | February 1, 2026
  • Seven provinces and two territories don’t yet have deals even though Prime Minister Mark Carney said last fall that his government is committed to

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

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | February 1, 2026
  • Seven provinces and two territories don’t yet have deals even though Prime Minister Mark Carney said last fall that his government is committed to
New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt, left, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, centre, and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe say they are all interested in discussing a pharmacare deal with the federal government, but any deal would have to respect each individual province’s unique needs and realities. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Make federal funding permanent for Canada’s suicide crisis helpline, say Conservative and NDP critics

  • Long-time mental health advocates Conservative MP Todd Doherty and NDP MP Gord Johns say their passion for the subject is personal.
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | January 26, 2026
NDP MP Gord Johns, left, was named his party’s mental health and addictions critic in 2021 and continues his advocacy in his current role as health critic. Conservative MP Todd Doherty began his formal focus on the mental health file in 2020 when he was named special adviser on mental health and wellness. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Make federal funding permanent for Canada’s suicide crisis helpline, say Conservative and NDP critics

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | January 26, 2026
  • Long-time mental health advocates Conservative MP Todd Doherty and NDP MP Gord Johns say their passion for the subject is personal.

Make federal funding permanent for Canada’s suicide crisis helpline, say Conservative and NDP critics

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | January 26, 2026
  • Long-time mental health advocates Conservative MP Todd Doherty and NDP MP Gord Johns say their passion for the subject is personal.
NDP MP Gord Johns, left, was named his party’s mental health and addictions critic in 2021 and continues his advocacy in his current role as health critic. Conservative MP Todd Doherty began his formal focus on the mental health file in 2020 when he was named special adviser on mental health and wellness. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Health workforce, toxic drug crisis on health critics’ agendas this winter

  • Conservative health critic Dan Mazier says an upcoming committee report on immigration and health care will include ‘damning evidence’ that will surprise people.
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | January 26, 2026
Conservative health critic Dan Mazier, left, says a key focus for him during the winter sitting is the proximity of some supervised injection sites to places frequented by children, while NDP health critic Gord Johns says he’ll be vocal on issues including mental health and pharmacare. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Health workforce, toxic drug crisis on health critics’ agendas this winter

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | January 26, 2026
  • Conservative health critic Dan Mazier says an upcoming committee report on immigration and health care will include ‘damning evidence’ that will surprise people.

Health workforce, toxic drug crisis on health critics’ agendas this winter

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | January 26, 2026
  • Conservative health critic Dan Mazier says an upcoming committee report on immigration and health care will include ‘damning evidence’ that will surprise people.
Conservative health critic Dan Mazier, left, says a key focus for him during the winter sitting is the proximity of some supervised injection sites to places frequented by children, while NDP health critic Gord Johns says he’ll be vocal on issues including mental health and pharmacare. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

PHAC says creating national vaccination registry would be ‘difficult’ as Canada contends with high measles count, loss of measles-free status

  • The Canadian Medical Association wants to see a national registry while the Canadian Public Health Association says the feds should provide funds to provinces
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | January 19, 2026
The Public Health Agency of Canada says it's focusing on working with provinces and territories in improving the sharing of their vaccination data. ’Canada’s federated system includes 13 health systems governed by provinces and territories, making a single, national immunization registry model difficult,’ the agency says. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

PHAC says creating national vaccination registry would be ‘difficult’ as Canada contends with high measles count, loss of measles-free status

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | January 19, 2026
  • The Canadian Medical Association wants to see a national registry while the Canadian Public Health Association says the feds should provide funds to provinces

PHAC says creating national vaccination registry would be ‘difficult’ as Canada contends with high measles count, loss of measles-free status

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | January 19, 2026
  • The Canadian Medical Association wants to see a national registry while the Canadian Public Health Association says the feds should provide funds to provinces
The Public Health Agency of Canada says it's focusing on working with provinces and territories in improving the sharing of their vaccination data. ’Canada’s federated system includes 13 health systems governed by provinces and territories, making a single, national immunization registry model difficult,’ the agency says. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Health organizations have questions, but few answers about feds’ new $5-billion Health Infrastructure Fund

  • The Canadian Association for Long Term Care says it will need an additional 382,400 to 454,000 beds by 2035 to keep up with demand.
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | January 19, 2026
Housing Minister Gregor Robertson’s department is taking the lead on the Build Communities Strong Fund, which includes funding for health infrastructure. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Health organizations have questions, but few answers about feds’ new $5-billion Health Infrastructure Fund

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | January 19, 2026
  • The Canadian Association for Long Term Care says it will need an additional 382,400 to 454,000 beds by 2035 to keep up with demand.

Health organizations have questions, but few answers about feds’ new $5-billion Health Infrastructure Fund

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | January 19, 2026
  • The Canadian Association for Long Term Care says it will need an additional 382,400 to 454,000 beds by 2035 to keep up with demand.
Housing Minister Gregor Robertson’s department is taking the lead on the Build Communities Strong Fund, which includes funding for health infrastructure. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s reliance on U.S. health data under spotlight after federal health minister says she ‘cannot trust’ American vaccine policy

  • Canadian Public Health Association’s Ian Culbert says the U.S. used to be a trustworthy source, but Canada now needs to ‘up our game’ on
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | January 12, 2026
Health Minister Marjorie Michel recently told a Canadian news outlet that she “cannot trust” the U.S. on the issue of vaccines. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s reliance on U.S. health data under spotlight after federal health minister says she ‘cannot trust’ American vaccine policy

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | January 12, 2026
  • Canadian Public Health Association’s Ian Culbert says the U.S. used to be a trustworthy source, but Canada now needs to ‘up our game’ on

Canada’s reliance on U.S. health data under spotlight after federal health minister says she ‘cannot trust’ American vaccine policy

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | January 12, 2026
  • Canadian Public Health Association’s Ian Culbert says the U.S. used to be a trustworthy source, but Canada now needs to ‘up our game’ on
Health Minister Marjorie Michel recently told a Canadian news outlet that she “cannot trust” the U.S. on the issue of vaccines. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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

  • Although a return to appointing Liberal members of the Red Chamber could be possible under the current government, PSG Leader Brian Francis says, 'I
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 28, 2025
Progressive Senate Group Leader Brian Francis, left, incoming-Canadian Senators Group leader Gigi Osler, current PSG Senator Peter Harder, and Independent Senator Pierre Dalphond say they want to see the continuation of the independent Senate model. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia

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

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 28, 2025
  • Although a return to appointing Liberal members of the Red Chamber could be possible under the current government, PSG Leader Brian Francis says, 'I

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

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 28, 2025
  • Although a return to appointing Liberal members of the Red Chamber could be possible under the current government, PSG Leader Brian Francis says, 'I
Progressive Senate Group Leader Brian Francis, left, incoming-Canadian Senators Group leader Gigi Osler, current PSG Senator Peter Harder, and Independent Senator Pierre Dalphond say they want to see the continuation of the independent Senate model. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia

PHAC lacks timely national data on children’s vaccination rates as report finds agency is not meeting targets 

  • The agency’s 2024-25 departmental results report uses rates from a 2021 survey. Newer data is available, but that source doesn’t include rates from all
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 23, 2025
Health Minister Marjorie Michel recently told CBC Radio’s “The House” that she's “relying a lot” on the efforts of frontline organizations and the health sciences sector to improve vaccination rates because she doesn’t want to “politicize” the issue. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

PHAC lacks timely national data on children’s vaccination rates as report finds agency is not meeting targets 

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 23, 2025
  • The agency’s 2024-25 departmental results report uses rates from a 2021 survey. Newer data is available, but that source doesn’t include rates from all

PHAC lacks timely national data on children’s vaccination rates as report finds agency is not meeting targets 

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 23, 2025
  • The agency’s 2024-25 departmental results report uses rates from a 2021 survey. Newer data is available, but that source doesn’t include rates from all
Health Minister Marjorie Michel recently told CBC Radio’s “The House” that she's “relying a lot” on the efforts of frontline organizations and the health sciences sector to improve vaccination rates because she doesn’t want to “politicize” the issue. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

PMPRB closes all open drug-pricing investigations before implementing new guidelines on Jan. 1

  • But that doesn’t mean the drug pricing tribunal can’t look at past years’ data to inform future reviews of drug prices, says director general
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 22, 2025
Guillaume Couillard, director general at the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board, says that the high number of investigations in 2023 and 2024 are due to one approach set by the 2022 temporary guidelines, which will be replaced by permanent guidance on Jan. 1, 2026. Photograph courtesy of the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board

PMPRB closes all open drug-pricing investigations before implementing new guidelines on Jan. 1

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 22, 2025
  • But that doesn’t mean the drug pricing tribunal can’t look at past years’ data to inform future reviews of drug prices, says director general

PMPRB closes all open drug-pricing investigations before implementing new guidelines on Jan. 1

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 22, 2025
  • But that doesn’t mean the drug pricing tribunal can’t look at past years’ data to inform future reviews of drug prices, says director general
Guillaume Couillard, director general at the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board, says that the high number of investigations in 2023 and 2024 are due to one approach set by the 2022 temporary guidelines, which will be replaced by permanent guidance on Jan. 1, 2026. Photograph courtesy of the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board

Lack of primary care so ‘chronic’ that patients don’t even talk about it, says Liberal MP and doctor Powlowski

  • Two recent surveys find that a significant portion of Canadians do not have access to a primary care provider as governments across Canada attempt
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 15, 2025
Liberal MP and doctor Marcus Powlowski continues to practice medicine in his riding of Thunder Bay-Rainy River, Ont. ‘I don’t spend a lot of time talking politics when I’m practising medicine. People are happy to see a doctor and I think the lack of primary health care has become so chronic, people don’t usually bother mentioning it,’ he says. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Lack of primary care so ‘chronic’ that patients don’t even talk about it, says Liberal MP and doctor Powlowski

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 15, 2025
  • Two recent surveys find that a significant portion of Canadians do not have access to a primary care provider as governments across Canada attempt

Lack of primary care so ‘chronic’ that patients don’t even talk about it, says Liberal MP and doctor Powlowski

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 15, 2025
  • Two recent surveys find that a significant portion of Canadians do not have access to a primary care provider as governments across Canada attempt
Liberal MP and doctor Marcus Powlowski continues to practice medicine in his riding of Thunder Bay-Rainy River, Ont. ‘I don’t spend a lot of time talking politics when I’m practising medicine. People are happy to see a doctor and I think the lack of primary health care has become so chronic, people don’t usually bother mentioning it,’ he says. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Bill calling for more serious punishment for assaulting first responders not fast-tracked despite Conservative MPs’ efforts

  • The Senate bill is identical to MP Todd Doherty’s bill, which nearly became law but died on the order paper when the election was
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 15, 2025
Conservative addictions critic Todd Doherty, left, Conservative health critic Dan Mazier, and Pierre Poirier, chief of the Ottawa Paramedic Service, at a Dec. 9 press conference about the need to fast-track a bill legislating more serious criminal sentences for assaults against health-care workers and first responders. The Hill Times photograph by Tessie Sanci

Bill calling for more serious punishment for assaulting first responders not fast-tracked despite Conservative MPs’ efforts

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 15, 2025
  • The Senate bill is identical to MP Todd Doherty’s bill, which nearly became law but died on the order paper when the election was

Bill calling for more serious punishment for assaulting first responders not fast-tracked despite Conservative MPs’ efforts

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 15, 2025
  • The Senate bill is identical to MP Todd Doherty’s bill, which nearly became law but died on the order paper when the election was
Conservative addictions critic Todd Doherty, left, Conservative health critic Dan Mazier, and Pierre Poirier, chief of the Ottawa Paramedic Service, at a Dec. 9 press conference about the need to fast-track a bill legislating more serious criminal sentences for assaults against health-care workers and first responders. The Hill Times photograph by Tessie Sanci

Bloc joins push for mandatory labelling of genetically engineered foods

  • ‘We want to know what's on our plate, we want to know what we're buying,’ says agricultural critic Yves Perron about the petition he
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 8, 2025
Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, centre, holds a press conference in the West Block on June 18, 2025, with Bloc MPs Christine Normandin, left, and Yves Perron. The Bloc is throwing its weight behind a move by the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network asking for mandatory labelling on genetically engineered foods. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Bloc joins push for mandatory labelling of genetically engineered foods

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 8, 2025
  • ‘We want to know what's on our plate, we want to know what we're buying,’ says agricultural critic Yves Perron about the petition he

Bloc joins push for mandatory labelling of genetically engineered foods

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 8, 2025
  • ‘We want to know what's on our plate, we want to know what we're buying,’ says agricultural critic Yves Perron about the petition he
Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, centre, holds a press conference in the West Block on June 18, 2025, with Bloc MPs Christine Normandin, left, and Yves Perron. The Bloc is throwing its weight behind a move by the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network asking for mandatory labelling on genetically engineered foods. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

New report recommends making pharmacare permanent with annual funding as progress on bilaterals remains stalled 

  • Interim NDP leader Don Davies says the feds must continue negotiating deals with provinces and territories under the pharmacare law passed last year.
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 1, 2025
Health Minister Marjorie Michel has not produced any bilateral agreements since joining cabinet this past May even though her government has repeatedly committed to protecting pharmacare. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

New report recommends making pharmacare permanent with annual funding as progress on bilaterals remains stalled 

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 1, 2025
  • Interim NDP leader Don Davies says the feds must continue negotiating deals with provinces and territories under the pharmacare law passed last year.

New report recommends making pharmacare permanent with annual funding as progress on bilaterals remains stalled 

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 1, 2025
  • Interim NDP leader Don Davies says the feds must continue negotiating deals with provinces and territories under the pharmacare law passed last year.
Health Minister Marjorie Michel has not produced any bilateral agreements since joining cabinet this past May even though her government has repeatedly committed to protecting pharmacare. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

House Health Committee shines spotlight on foreign-funded medical residencies and feds’ role in attracting health-care workers

  • The committee has been studying health care and Canada’s immigration capacity in response to problems with access to care.
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 1, 2025
Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab, left, and Health Minister Marjorie Michel appeared at the House Health Committee on Nov. 18 to explain their respective departments' roles in helping health-care workers move to Canada to help with the health human-resources shortage. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

House Health Committee shines spotlight on foreign-funded medical residencies and feds’ role in attracting health-care workers

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 1, 2025
  • The committee has been studying health care and Canada’s immigration capacity in response to problems with access to care.

House Health Committee shines spotlight on foreign-funded medical residencies and feds’ role in attracting health-care workers

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 1, 2025
  • The committee has been studying health care and Canada’s immigration capacity in response to problems with access to care.
Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab, left, and Health Minister Marjorie Michel appeared at the House Health Committee on Nov. 18 to explain their respective departments' roles in helping health-care workers move to Canada to help with the health human-resources shortage. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Health Canada’s alcohol guidelines are 14 years old, despite new ones issued in 2023

  • With the department's support, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction developed new guidance, which it published in 2023. That information is not
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 24, 2025
Marjorie Michel
Marjorie Michel
The website for Health Canada, led by Health Minister Marjorie Michel, continues to showcase 2011 guidance on alcohol consumption even though it commissioned an update, which is available and public since 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Health Canada’s alcohol guidelines are 14 years old, despite new ones issued in 2023

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 24, 2025
  • With the department's support, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction developed new guidance, which it published in 2023. That information is not

Health Canada’s alcohol guidelines are 14 years old, despite new ones issued in 2023

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 24, 2025
  • With the department's support, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction developed new guidance, which it published in 2023. That information is not
Marjorie Michel
The website for Health Canada, led by Health Minister Marjorie Michel, continues to showcase 2011 guidance on alcohol consumption even though it commissioned an update, which is available and public since 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Health Canada’s alcohol guidelines are 14 years old, despite new ones issued in 2023

  • With the department's support, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction developed new guidance, which it published in 2023. That information is not
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 24, 2025
Marjorie Michel
Marjorie Michel
The website for Health Canada, led by Health Minister Marjorie Michel, continues to showcase 2011 guidance on alcohol consumption even though it commissioned an update, which is available and public since 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Health Canada’s alcohol guidelines are 14 years old, despite new ones issued in 2023

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 24, 2025
  • With the department's support, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction developed new guidance, which it published in 2023. That information is not

Health Canada’s alcohol guidelines are 14 years old, despite new ones issued in 2023

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 24, 2025
  • With the department's support, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction developed new guidance, which it published in 2023. That information is not
Marjorie Michel
The website for Health Canada, led by Health Minister Marjorie Michel, continues to showcase 2011 guidance on alcohol consumption even though it commissioned an update, which is available and public since 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘We will be facing a financial cliff’: advocates concerned about mental health and substance use programs as bilaterals begin to lapse in 2027

  • The 2025 budget didn’t include any new funding for these areas as Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals continue to rely on bilateral agreements negotiated
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 17, 2025
Health Minister Marjorie Michel has emphasized in her public comments that mental health is a priority for her, but that did not result in any new funding for that or programs connected to the toxic drug crisis. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘We will be facing a financial cliff’: advocates concerned about mental health and substance use programs as bilaterals begin to lapse in 2027

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 17, 2025
  • The 2025 budget didn’t include any new funding for these areas as Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals continue to rely on bilateral agreements negotiated

‘We will be facing a financial cliff’: advocates concerned about mental health and substance use programs as bilaterals begin to lapse in 2027

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 17, 2025
  • The 2025 budget didn’t include any new funding for these areas as Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals continue to rely on bilateral agreements negotiated
Health Minister Marjorie Michel has emphasized in her public comments that mental health is a priority for her, but that did not result in any new funding for that or programs connected to the toxic drug crisis. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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

  • Disinformation and weak access to health care are playing a part in measles outbreaks, according to some MPs.
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 15, 2025
Liberal MP Hedy Fry, a physician, says the return of measles to Canada is a 'ridiculous' situation. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

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

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 15, 2025
  • Disinformation and weak access to health care are playing a part in measles outbreaks, according to some MPs.

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

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 15, 2025
  • Disinformation and weak access to health care are playing a part in measles outbreaks, according to some MPs.
Liberal MP Hedy Fry, a physician, says the return of measles to Canada is a 'ridiculous' situation. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright
More Stories

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
Feature | BY 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

Feature | BY 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

Feature | BY 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

Canada could have access to more than 10,000 doctors if licensing were less complicated, House Health Committee hears

  • The House Health Committee is looking into the links between immigration and health human resources shortages. But Liberal MP Mark Powlowski says the Conservatives'
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 3, 2025
The House health committee study was proposed by Conservative health critic Dan Mazier, left, who says there’s a ‘disconnect’ between immigration and the health care system. But Liberal MP Marcus Powlowski says the Conservatives’ framing of the issue ‘ticks’ him off and that the health-care system relies on immigrants who work within it. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Canada could have access to more than 10,000 doctors if licensing were less complicated, House Health Committee hears

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 3, 2025
  • The House Health Committee is looking into the links between immigration and health human resources shortages. But Liberal MP Mark Powlowski says the Conservatives'

Canada could have access to more than 10,000 doctors if licensing were less complicated, House Health Committee hears

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 3, 2025
  • The House Health Committee is looking into the links between immigration and health human resources shortages. But Liberal MP Mark Powlowski says the Conservatives'
The House health committee study was proposed by Conservative health critic Dan Mazier, left, who says there’s a ‘disconnect’ between immigration and the health care system. But Liberal MP Marcus Powlowski says the Conservatives’ framing of the issue ‘ticks’ him off and that the health-care system relies on immigrants who work within it. The Hill Times photographs 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

Carney ‘did the right thing’: feds’ new support for national pharmacare ‘positive,’ but evolving stance surprises advocates

  • Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Sept. 11 that his government will continue to negotiate bilateral agreements, contradicting an earlier stance that it would
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | September 15, 2025
This is one of six billboards sponsored by the Canadian Health Coalition and Friends of Medicare in Edmonton on Sept. 8 urging Prime Minister Mark Carney to continue negotiating bilateral agreements for pharmacare. Photograph courtesy of Canadian Health Coalition

Carney ‘did the right thing’: feds’ new support for national pharmacare ‘positive,’ but evolving stance surprises advocates

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | September 15, 2025
  • Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Sept. 11 that his government will continue to negotiate bilateral agreements, contradicting an earlier stance that it would

Carney ‘did the right thing’: feds’ new support for national pharmacare ‘positive,’ but evolving stance surprises advocates

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | September 15, 2025
  • Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Sept. 11 that his government will continue to negotiate bilateral agreements, contradicting an earlier stance that it would
This is one of six billboards sponsored by the Canadian Health Coalition and Friends of Medicare in Edmonton on Sept. 8 urging Prime Minister Mark Carney to continue negotiating bilateral agreements for pharmacare. Photograph courtesy of Canadian Health Coalition

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

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