Good morning! Welcome back to Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news concerning healthcare providers, doctors, physicians, clinicians, pharmacies and pharmacists, dentists, and old-age care providers.

Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Start Date: 2025-03-09
End Date: 2025-03-15

Top Headlines

Main Stories

Federal Government Launches Age Well at Home Initiative

On March 13, 2025, Employment and Social Development Canada announced the Age Well at Home initiative, a federal grants program with two streams: Scaling Up for Seniors and In-Home Support Pilot Projects. This initiative aims to expand services for seniors to help them age at home, with over 24 projects approved under the Scaling Up for Seniors stream and 80 projects under the In-Home Support Pilot Projects stream, totaling over $64 million in funding. Services include light housekeeping, meal delivery, and transportation assistance.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Yukon Agreement for Rare Diseases Drug Access

A bilateral agreement between Canada and Yukon, announced on March 13, 2025, by Health Canada, allocates over $8.5 million to improve access to drugs for rare diseases. This agreement will fund Yescarta, a CAR T-cell therapy for specific lymphomas, and support enhanced access to existing drugs and early diagnosis. The initiative is part of Canada's National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Diseases.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Entos Pharmaceuticals Receives $62 Million for Biomanufacturing Expansion

On March 11, 2025, the Canadian government announced a $62 million contribution to Entos Pharmaceuticals to build a 103,000-square-foot facility in Edmonton, Alberta. This strategic investment aims to scale up the production of genetic medicines, potentially treating various diseases, and strengthen Canada's biomanufacturing capacity. The project promises 90 new jobs and 69 co-op positions for students.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canada Invests $308 Million in Research and Innovation

On March 13, 2025, Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced over $308 million in federal funding to advance science and research across Canada. The investment includes $142 million for interdisciplinary projects through the New Frontiers in Research Fund's Transformation stream and $153 million for new and renewed Canada Research Chairs. Areas of focus include Indigenous-centred brain health, smart wear technology, and RNA-targeted drug discovery.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

New Horizons for Seniors Program Funding Announced

On March 13, 2025, Minister Steven MacKinnon announced $6.5 million in funding for 42 projects under the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) in Gatineau, Quebec. The NHSP aims to enhance seniors' social inclusion through initiatives like meal deliveries, financial literacy education, and innovation labs. Funded projects are set to improve the quality of life for seniors in the Outaouais region.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Important Updates

Secondary Stories

Northwest Territories Rare Disease Drug Agreement

On March 13, 2025, Health Canada announced a $7.8 million agreement with Northwest Territories to improve access to drugs for rare diseases, including Poteligeo for Sézary syndrome.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Nunavut Rare Disease Drug Agreement

On March 13, 2025, Health Canada signed an agreement with Nunavut, allocating $7.3 million to enhance drug access for rare diseases and support diagnosis and screening.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

CIHR Appoints New Scientific Director

Dr. Patricia Conrod, a leading expert in youth mental health, was appointed CIHR Scientific Director of Neurosciences, effective July 1, 2025.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canada Disability Benefit Regulations Published

Regulations for the Canada Disability Benefit were published on March 12, 2025, aiming to lift 20,000 recipients and 10,000 family members out of poverty by 2026.

Sources: Canada Gazette, Part II: www.gazette.gc.ca

Healthcare Access Among Children and Youth

StatsCan released survey results indicating 91% of children and youth in Canadian provinces have a regular healthcare provider.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provisional Death Counts Updated

StatsCan updated the Provisional Deaths Dashboard, providing insights on mortality trends from January 2023 to December 2024.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Announcements

Acute Care Tower Opens at Lions Gate Hospital

On March 9, 2025, the Paul Myers Tower at Lions Gate Hospital opened, providing 108 additional beds and eight operating rooms for patient care.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.gov.bc.ca

Saskatchewan Releases Health Care Practitioner Support Toolkit

Saskatchewan Health Care Recruitment Agency issued a toolkit to aid communities in retaining healthcare professionals.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.saskatchewan.ca

New Licensing Pathway for Family Physicians in New Brunswick

Ten internationally trained family physicians completed the Practice Ready Assessment program to work in New Brunswick.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www2.gnb.ca

Alberta Plans to Expand Acute Care Capacity

Alberta's Budget 2025 proposes $2 million for planning inpatient towers at Grey Nuns and Misericordia hospitals, potentially adding 700 beds.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Youth Secretariat Supports Intergenerational Exchanges in Quebec

Quebec allocates $552,612 to facilitate exchanges between students and seniors, supporting intergenerational housing projects.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.quebec.ca

Measles Case Confirmed at Montreal's Bell Centre

Quebec health authorities confirmed a measles case at the Bell Centre on March 3, urging contacts to self-isolate until March 17.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.quebec.ca

Ontario Reports Rise in Measles Cases

Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health announced 350 confirmed measles cases, highlighting the importance of vaccination.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Refocusing Emergency Services in Alberta

Alberta announces EMS transfer to Acute Care Alberta and $56 million investment in emergency services through Budget 2025.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

New Mental Health Guidance in BC

BC issued guidance on involuntary care under the Mental Health Act for patients with dual mental health and substance-use disorders.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.gov.bc.ca

COVID-19 National Day of Observance in BC

BC marked the National Day of Observance for COVID-19, honoring those lost and recognizing the contributions of healthcare professionals.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.gov.bc.ca

Public Officials' Social Media

MP Kamal Khera's Commitment as Health Minister

Kamal Khera expressed her dedication to supporting patients as Canada's Minister of Health, thanking PM Mark Carney for his confidence.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Ryan Turnbull Highlights New Horizons Grants

Ryan Turnbull visited local organizations receiving federal grants through the New Horizons for Seniors Program, emphasizing community impact.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Jagmeet Singh Defends Universal Health Care

Jagmeet Singh affirmed Canada's commitment to universal health care amidst external criticisms, reinforcing national pride in the system.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Hedy Fry on Universal Health Care Accessibility

Hedy Fry tweeted about Canada's universal health care system's ability to provide equal care to all, regardless of socioeconomic status.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator René Cormier on Pandemic Observance Day

René Cormier commemorated National Pandemic Observance Day, reflecting on the efforts of healthcare workers during the pandemic.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

What We're Reading This Week

• CTV News: Advocacy group strives for improved care for Ontario seniors.
• Global News: New supports for fall prevention in health care.
• CTV News: Health groups advocate against counter-tariffs on medical supplies.
• The Star: Discussion on shielding medical supplies from economic measures.
• The Globe and Mail: Health industry calls for protection of medical devices from tariffs.