Good morning! This is 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: 2025-05-11
End Date: 2025-05-19

Top Headlines

Main Stories

Assisted Living Residences and Community Health Boundaries Datasets Refreshed

BC’s data on assisted living and community health service area boundaries received biweekly and configuration updates, aiding health planning.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: open.canada.ca, Open Government Data Set: open.canada.ca

BC Publishes Updated Health System Open Data: Walk-in Clinics, Assisted Living, Community Health, First Responders

Four major British Columbia health datasets were refreshed on May 15, 2025. Updated entries include walk-in clinic program details, assisted living residences (public and private) via the Programs Map, revised community health service area boundaries, and sites for ambulance, fire, police, and coast guard first responders. The assisted living data includes service type, address, and capacity, with biweekly updates reflecting new operational residences. These datasets provide reference points for health workforce planning and emergency response routing in BC.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: open.canada.ca, Open Government Data Set: open.canada.ca, Open Government Data Set: open.canada.ca, Open Government Data Set: open.canada.ca

Canadian International Trade Tribunal to Hear Case on Surgical Table Cover Tariffs

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal has set a public hearing for June 17, 2025, regarding Medline Canada Corporation’s appeal against Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) over the tariff classification of surgical table covers. The hearing will examine if these goods should be classified under the CBSA’s designation (tariff 6307.90.99) or as nonwovens/technical textiles under headings 5603.14.00 or 5911.90.00, as sought by Medline. The outcome may affect duty rates for imported surgical supplies.

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

Provincial Announcements

Manitoba Health Issues Measles Exposure Advisory with New Sites Listed

Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care has reported new public exposure sites linked to recent measles cases, with some cases having no known exposure contact. Individuals present at Winnipeg locations on May 11 (Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain and Dave and LaVerne’s Modern Diner) are requested to monitor symptoms through June 2.

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

Alberta Extends Cancer Screening Initiatives and Launches New Grants

Alberta’s government announced a $5.5 million investment to enhance cancer prevention, including continuing the Alberta Lung Cancer Screening Program and providing grants to support cancer screening in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities. The Cancer Research in Screening and Prevention Program will provide $3 million in funding for research and awareness in the current cycle, with applications open until May 30, 2025.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

BC Recognizes Nursing Week, Expands Recruitment Efforts

In statements marking National Nursing Week, BC officials emphasized recruitment of nurses and nurse practitioners from the U.S., and continued collaboration with nursing organizations on workforce strategies.

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

Addiction Assessment Nurses Expand Substance-Use Care in Fraser Valley

Addiction assessment nurses now staff nine hospital emergency departments in the Fraser Health region, connecting over 6,000 patients since 2020 to treatment and recovery services.

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

Saskatchewan Introduces Point of Care Testing in Rural Emergency Departments

Point of Care Testing devices are now available in hospitals in Kamsack, La Loche, and Shaunavon, providing rapid diagnostics and aiming to prevent emergency department service interruptions.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.saskatchewan.ca

Family Health Team Established at Carleton North Medical Clinic, New Brunswick

A new team at Carleton North Medical Clinic, with planned staffing increases, is expected to serve an additional 800 patients without primary care providers by late 2026.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www2.gnb.ca

Nova Scotia Commits $1.4 Million to Healthcare Professional Recruitment and Retention

Twenty-four organizations across Nova Scotia receive community grants for recruitment, mentorship, and settlement programs targeting healthcare professionals and their families.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca

Extended Hours Primary Care Clinic Opens in Winnipeg, Manitoba

Victoria General Hospital launches a clinic open evenings and weekends, offering access to multidisciplinary teams and diagnostic services, staffed by physicians and registered nurses.

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

BC Government Releases Suicide Prevention Clinical Framework

A new framework, co-developed with the Canadian Mental Health Association BC Division, provides clinical guidance for supporting patients at risk for suicide in health facilities, focusing on care in emergency and acute settings.

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

Saskatchewan Legislature Advances Health Recruitment Incentives and Rural Programs

Saskatchewan expands its Rural and Remote Recruitment Incentive to 16 additional communities, boosting staffing in health and emergency services, and highlights record investments in health care and public safety.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.saskatchewan.ca

Public Officials' Social Media

On May 16, MP Hedy Fry stated on X that family doctors are fundamental to the Canadian health care system and recounted personal experience as a family physician.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Yasir Naqvi highlighted the Distress Centre Ottawa and Canada's 988 mental health crisis hotline during an appearance on An Hour to Give.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Hedy Fry shared that the Canadian Dental Care Plan now covers citizens aged 18–34 without employer coverage earning below $90,000 annually.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

On May 16, MP Yasir Naqvi joined RNAO Ottawa’s Nursing Week event and commended nurses’ frontline expertise in patient care.

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

On May 16, MP Shelby Kramp-Neuman posted appreciation for nurses, citing their role as trusted caregivers.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

On May 12, MP Dave Epp publicly acknowledged the dedication and resilience of Canadian nurses in two identical posts.

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

On May 13, MP Jean Yip recognized nurses for their leadership and daily contributions to Canadians’ lives.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator René Cormier marked National Nursing Week, praising the valuable role nurses play in patient recovery.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia offered support and gratitude to nurses at the outset of Nursing Week.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

What We're Reading This Week

• OPINION: The cybersecurity crisis in healthcare and our failing defenses: Recent analysis of cybersecurity gaps facing healthcare organizations.
• Investing in Smarter Healthcare: The New Era of AI-Driven Medicine: Media commentary on investments in AI-driven medicine.
• Nurses prescribe changes to provincial healthcare system: Nurses' perspectives on potential provincial healthcare changes.