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: 2025-05-19
End Date: 2025-05-24

Top Headlines

Main Stories

StatsCan: Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders Rise Among Canadian Youth

Statistics Canada's May 2025 Health Reports indicate an increase in the prevalence of mental health and substance use disorders among youth in Canada. The report notes that girls and women were more likely to report worsened mental health since the COVID-19 pandemic compared to boys and men. The data raise questions about access to mental health services, particularly for younger women. The findings are expected to inform future assessments of mental health resource allocation and demand patterns across health systems.

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

Provincial Announcements

Ontario Launches Construction of New Hospitals in Orillia and Northumberland

Ontario began planning processes for new hospitals in Orillia (Soldiers’ Memorial) and Northumberland County (Campbellford Memorial). The planned facilities are expected to expand access to emergency and inpatient care, with funding forming part of a 10-year, $60 billion health infrastructure strategy.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca, Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Langley’s Urgent and Primary Care Centre Opens Permanent Facility

The permanent Langley Urgent and Primary Care Centre in BC began operations on May 13, offering extended hours and onsite medical imaging, including X-rays and CT scans by referral. The $16-million facility is designed to improve team-based primary care and access to diagnostics outside hospital settings.

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

Alberta Allocates $25 Million in Grants to Advance Community Primary Care

Alberta’s government awarded $25 million in grants for 19 community-led primary care innovation projects, including the expansion of services for Indigenous communities. Initiatives include virtual care clinics, training for health professionals, and the introduction of Indigenous-led support services.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

BC Recognizes Family Doctor Day with Administrative Reductions

BC eliminated sick notes for short-term absences and pledged to replace outdated processes with digital systems, reducing administrative work for family doctors. Recruitment efforts for physicians from the U.S. have seen 573 expressions of interest since March 2025.

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

Ontario Directs $22 Million to Next Generation 9-1-1 Emergency System

Ontario extended funding for municipalities and emergency response centers to transition to Next Generation 9-1-1, supporting upgrades to emergency call technology and networks. The system will allow for enhanced incident reporting via text and video.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Manitoba Issues Update on Measles Exposure Sites

Manitoba public health issued new guidance after recent measles exposures at Prairie Dale School and Collège Lorette Collegiate. The notice includes symptom monitoring instructions and encourages contact with health providers for potential exposures.

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

Public Officials' Social Media

MP Ginette Petitpas Taylor posted on X that the CDCP now covers uninsured Canadians aged 18-34, with expansion to those 35-54 from May 29.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Sameer Zuberi attended a community ball hockey fundraiser for mental health, drawing attention to grassroots support services.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator Stan Kutcher noted on X that health disinformation is linked to efforts by malign global actors to destabilize democracies.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator Leo Housakos posted concerns about ambulance diversion in Toronto due to a rally, referencing hospital access disruptions.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Michael Barrett posted about opposition to MAiD being offered to veterans and advocated for changes to disability application review timelines.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Sameer Zuberi also posted in French about his participation in a community mental health fundraiser.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Ginette Petitpas Taylor reiterated in French that the CDCP is extending eligibility for uninsured Canadians to receive dental care.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Helena Konanz joined a community event recognizing organizations providing support for individuals in addiction recovery.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

What We're Reading This Week

• Dr. Robert Corkern: A Lifelong Advocate for Rural Healthcare Innovation and Medical Mentorship: The Globe and Mail profiles Dr. Robert Corkern's impact on rural medicine.
• Electronic Caregiver Expands National Reseller Program: Electronic Caregiver launches new reseller opportunities for health monitoring technology.
• N.S. health authority testing device to enhance communications, workplace security: CBC covers a pilot of communications devices in Nova Scotia hospitals.