Good morning! Welcome back to Queen Street Analytics' weekly roundup 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: 2025-04-20
End Date: 2025-04-26

Top Headlines

Main Stories

BMO Life Assurance Company Files for Assumption Reinsurance Agreement

BMO Life Assurance Company has announced its intent to seek approval from the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) to enter into an assumption reinsurance agreement with Union Life, Mutual Assurance Company. The transaction covers all direct marketed life, accident and sickness insurance, pre-needs life insurance, participating life insurance, and group administered retirement savings plan risks issued in Canada. Subject to regulatory approvals, completion is targeted for on or after May 30, 2025. Policyholders have a 30-day window to review the agreement and independent actuary's report at BMO Life's Toronto office.

Sources: Gazette, Part I: www.gazette.gc.ca

Provincial Announcements

New Brunswick Expands Cataract Surgery Access via Partnership

A new agreement between Vitalité Health Network, Horizon Health Network, and a Moncton clinic is expected to increase cataract surgeries to over 3,000 per year in southeastern New Brunswick, reducing waitlists. Surgeries will be covered by medicare.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www2.gnb.ca

BC Begins Construction on Centre for Children with Health Complexity

Construction has started on a dedicated facility at BC Children's Hospital to serve children and youth with complex care needs. The three-storey centre will offer in-person and virtual care, specialized training, and 16 suites for short stays, with completion expected in 2028.

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

British Columbia Expands Home-Care Supports for Seniors

The province is investing $304 million over five years with United Way BC to expand home support services for seniors, including non-medical supports, peer support, and expanded programs for caregivers and active aging.

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

Héma-Québec Announces New Plasma Donation Centre in Lévis

Héma-Québec will open a new plasma donation centre in Lévis in 2026, aiming to help the province reach 42% self-sufficiency in intravenous immunoglobulin by 2026–2027. The centre will have 10 donor chairs and target 15,000 annual plasma donations.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.quebec.ca

Saskatchewan Launches Pharmacy Mental Health Medication Pilot in Weyburn

The Government of Saskatchewan has launched a pharmacy pilot project in Weyburn, allowing pharmacists to manage mental health medications under a collaborative agreement. The project aims to improve patient access and may be expanded based on evaluation.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.saskatchewan.ca

Saskatchewan Increases Personal Care Home Benefit for Seniors

A $10 million investment increases the Personal Care Home Benefit by up to $1,000 per month for eligible seniors in licensed personal care homes. More than 2,000 seniors are expected to benefit.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.saskatchewan.ca

Manitoba Public Health Encourages Measles Immunization Review

Amid Canada's largest measles outbreak since 1998, Manitoba Health is urging residents to verify their immunization status during National Immunization Awareness Week. Vaccines are available through public health clinics and providers statewide.

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

Ontario Breaks Ground on CHEO Integrated Treatment Centre in Ottawa

Ontario has begun construction of a 200,000-square-foot CHEO Integrated Treatment Centre consolidating services for children and youth with complex needs, with completion expected in 2028. The centre will support approximately 13,700 children and youth annually.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Ontario Opens New Diagnostic Imaging Department in Scarborough

Scarborough Health Network has completed a new 36,000-square-foot diagnostic imaging department at its General Hospital site, doubling imaging capacity and adding the region's first 3-Tesla MRI, with expected significant reductions in wait times.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Nova Scotia Opens Sydney River Health Centre Services

The Sydney River Health Centre in Cape Breton begins offering services including orthopedic, cardiopulmonary, diabetes, and family care. The new facility is designed for over 30,000 patient visits annually and will consolidate multiple clinics under one roof.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca

Ontario Breaks Ground on Culturally Inclusive Long-Term Care Home in Courtice

Construction has begun on a 192-bed long-term care home in Courtice, operated by Muslim Welfare Canada, with completion expected in 2027. The facility will offer amenities designed to support culturally appropriate care for residents.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

New Urgent Care Response Centre for Mental Health Opens in New Westminster, BC

Royal Columbian Hospital's new Urgent Care Response Centre North provides integrated, same-day assessment and care for urgent mental health and substance use needs, expanding access to community-based and hospital services.

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

New Brunswick Increases Funding for Child Welfare and Youth Services

The province's child welfare and youth services budget will rise by nearly 15%, including $10 million for high-needs children and youth and nearly $8.7 million for initiatives under the Child and Youth Well-Being Act, which extends services up to age 26.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www2.gnb.ca

Public Officials' Social Media

MP Joanne Thompson Critiques Opposition Plan for Pharmacare and Dental Care

MP Joanne Thompson criticized Pierre Poilievre’s plan for childcare, pharmacare, and dental care, stating it would only retain coverage for current recipients while others would lose access.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Julie Dzerowicz Highlights Healthcare Workforce and Credentialing

MP Julie Dzerowicz promoted the Liberal approach to healthcare, referencing plans for more doctors and nurses and expedited credential recognition across provinces.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Salma Zahid Details Various Health Infrastructure Plans

MP Salma Zahid shared various healthcare proposals.

Sources: Social Media: x.com, Social Media: x.com, Social Media: x.com, Social Media: x.com

MP Sophie Chatel Supports Training and Modernization in Health Services

MP Sophie Chatel expressed support for plans to train more physicians, modernize clinics, and invest in mental health and reproductive care, with a focus on accessible services.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Kamal Khera Recognizes SEIU Healthcare Workers

MP Kamal Khera acknowledged healthcare workers at SEIU Health Canada, stating her ongoing commitment to public healthcare as a fundamental right.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator Paulette Senior Attends Toronto Black Maternal Health Week Launch

Senator Paulette Senior attended the opening event for Toronto’s first Black Maternal Health Week at North York General Hospital.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

What We're Reading This Week

• CBC News: Quebec's push for plasma self-sufficiency: Quebec announces new plasma collection centre in Lévis with a goal to boost local immunoglobulin supply.
• Global News: BC launches construction on complex pediatric care centre: British Columbia begins work on a new centre for children with complex medical needs.
• Montreal Gazette: Héma-Québec's plasma donation expansion: Héma-Québec opens a new facility to meet increasing demand for plasma-derived medicines.
• Vancouver Sun: Nanaimo's new urgent and primary care centre: Nanaimo to see improved access with a second urgent and primary care centre opening soon.
• CBC Manitoba: Measles outbreak prompts vaccine push: Manitoba health officials urge review of immunization records amid national measles outbreak.
• Ottawa Citizen: CHEO's Integrated Treatment Centre project advances: Groundbreaking for CHEO’s new centre marks a major step for pediatric care in eastern Ontario.
• Globe and Mail: Saskatchewan boosts personal care home benefits: Saskatchewan increases monthly subsidies for seniors in personal care homes.
• Halifax Chronicle Herald: Sydney River Health Centre opens services: Nova Scotia consolidates health services at a new centre in Cape Breton.