Good morning! This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly roundup of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news concerning biotech, pharmaceutical manufacturing, drug distribution and pricing, and the healthcare providers, doctors, physicians, clinicians, pharmacies and pharmacists that are making it all happen. Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to see GR activities in areas of the economy related to the Healthcare channel? Don’t miss this week’s updates in BioPharma.

Dates: 2025-07-27 to 2025-08-02

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal GR News
• 🇺🇸 US Federal GR News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial GR News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Canadian Federal GR News

Government Expands CAN Health Network and Launches Virtual Health Hub for Rural and Northern Communities

On August 1, 2025, Secretary of State Buckley Belanger announced new federal support in Saskatoon for the Virtual Health Hub’s entry into the Coordinated Accessible National (CAN) Health Network. Federal investment for the network now totals $42 million since 2019. This partnership introduces remote diagnostic capacity and faster family physician-specialist consultations across Saskatchewan’s rural and northern regions. Two projects are launching: Luxsonic Technologies will deploy virtual reality diagnostics, and Nova Scotia’s Virtual Hallway will offer expedited specialist consults for primary care providers. In the five years of CAN Health Network operations, 99 Canadian health tech companies have developed solutions in tandem with public health entities. These efforts are intended to foster ecosystem growth for Canadian digital health businesses and broaden access to care outside urban centres.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

StatsCan: Over a Third of Patients Wait Three Months or More to See Medical Specialists

Data released July 29, 2025, from Statistics Canada’s latest survey indicates that 36% of Canadians waited three months or longer for an initial appointment with a medical specialist in the previous year. 35% of respondents reported wait times under one month, while 30% waited from one to under three months. This data signals persistent wait time distribution in specialist care, which may inform planning for resource allocation and assessment of triage protocols in outpatient settings.

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

Ministerial Conditions Set for Veterinary Drug Manufacture and Import Under CEPA

A new ministerial condition, effective July 21, 2025, was published regarding the veterinary drug ingredient avermectin B1, 4''-(acetylamino)-4''-deoxy-, CAS 123997-26-2. The condition restricts manufacture or import to two purposes: preparation of drugs destined solely for export, and production for approved domestic animal/livestock drug applications.

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

Sprouting Ceremony for New Wije’winen Centre in Halifax Supported by Federal Investment

On July 31, 2025, the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre, along with Indigenous Services Canada, marked the start of construction on the new Wije’winen Centre in Halifax. Federal support for the project totals $28.8 million through Major Infrastructure funding under the Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples stream, alongside further funds from the National Association of Friendship Centres. The new facility is set to serve more than 7,000 urban Indigenous residents annually, expanding more than 55 health, housing, and harm reduction programs. The centre is designed to reinforce access to culturally grounded, wraparound healthcare in an urban context.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Ottawa and B.C. Announce Over $84 Million for Broadband Expansion in Rural and Indigenous Communities

On July 28, 2025, federal and provincial ministers detailed more than $77 million in funding for 15 high-speed internet projects across British Columbia, set to connect over 6,900 rural and remote households, including more than 1,200 Indigenous households. An additional $7 million supports expanded cellular coverage and brings high-speed access to another 727 households in First Nation territories. These investments are part of the Universal Broadband Fund and the joint Connecting Communities BC framework, which targets 98% national broadband coverage by 2026 and 100% by 2030. Expanded connectivity aims to facilitate digital health service delivery and telemedicine for remote communities.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

New Humanitarian Funding for Gaza and West Bank, Including Support for Health Services

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, speaking at the UN High-Level Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine, confirmed $30 million in new Canadian funding for humanitarian needs in Gaza and the West Bank and an additional $10 million for the Palestinian Authority’s governance activities. An earlier commitment of $20 million will be routed through the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the UN Population Fund to facilitate restoration of basic health services. The funds are intended for early recovery and the resumption of essential clinics and health infrastructure, with bilateral consultations held in New York alongside partners from France, Brazil, Egypt, and others.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Secretary of State Sarai’s East Africa Visit: Canadian Global Health Programs and Maternal Care

Secretary of State Randeep Sarai visited Ethiopia and Tanzania, July 17–23, participating in health and development dialogues with government officials and the African Union. In Ethiopia, meetings addressed health security and sexual and reproductive health; visits included Hamlin’s Fistula Hospital and initiatives for survivors of sexual violence. In Tanzania, Canadian contributions to the Health Basket Fund and maternal health projects were reviewed, including support for Canadian-made vitamin A distribution and emergency health connectivity for remote areas. These engagements are part of a broader development and trade agenda, with implications for Canadian health sector organizations operating internationally.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Accessible Transit Investment in Grey and Bruce Counties Targets Disabled Residents’ Mobility

On July 30, 2025, the federal government and Saugeen Mobility and Regional Transit (S.M.A.R.T.) announced more than $1.4 million for new accessible vans, cars, and scheduling software for residents of Bruce and Grey counties with disabilities. The investment will also support a feasibility study, conducted with Home and Community Support Services of Grey and Bruce, to assess improved service delivery software for on-demand transit. This move is intended to enhance transportation access for healthcare appointments and daily needs among individuals with mobility challenges in rural Ontario.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Internal Trade Act: Privy Council Opens Consultation on Interprovincial Regulatory Comparability

On August 2, 2025, the Privy Council Office published a call for stakeholder feedback regarding the Act governing recognition of provincial and territorial regulations for interprovincial trade in goods and services. Comments are solicited on exceptions related to health, safety, or environmental risk—including considerations of potential impact in areas such as food safety and health product regulation. Stakeholders are asked to identify cost-benefit impacts and to propose mechanisms for comparability when aligning federal and subnational requirements, with comment submissions due by August 22, 2025.

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

US Federal GR News

US White House and CMS Partner to Advance Interoperable Digital Health Ecosystem

CLEAR, a US-based secure identity platform, announced participation in a White House and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) initiative aimed at powering an interoperable and secure digital health ecosystem. This initiative seeks to streamline digital identity verification for patients and enhance the security and accessibility of health records nationwide. The development is positioned to support telemedicine, streamline provider and patient interactions, and could have implications for cross-border health data flows relevant to providers interacting with US-based partners.

Sources: Canadian News Outlet: www.theglobeandmail.com

US Family Physicians Group Backs FDA’s Proposed Reduced Nicotine Mandate

The American Academy of Family Physicians publicly supported the FDA’s proposed rule to mandate reduced nicotine content in cigarettes. This regulatory proposal aims to lower smoking rates and drive down the public health burden and healthcare costs associated with nicotine addiction. The organization’s endorsement could influence sectoral adoption and regulatory compliance among tobacco manufacturers and health insurers operating or affiliated in both US and Canadian markets.

Sources: Canadian News Outlet: www.theglobeandmail.com

Canadian Provincial GR News

Ontario Expands Non-Ambulance Patient Transportation Program in Northern Communities

The Ontario government is investing $1.3 million to expand the Transportation of Medically Stable Patients program to Blanche River Health, increasing access for nine Northern communities and aiming to reduce ambulance deployment for medically stable transfers.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

BC Increases and Simplifies Access to HPV Vaccination under Cancer Action Plan

British Columbia is broadening eligibility for free HPV vaccines, shifting the immunization schedule to a one-dose regiment for those aged nine to 20, and expanding access to additional adult groups starting July 31, 2025.

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

Measles Exposure Notifications Issued in Southern Manitoba Health Facilities

Manitoba Health announced two new measles exposure locations as of July 31, 2025, urging those present during specified periods at Boundary Trails Health Centre emergency and C.W. Wiebe Medical Centre urgent care to monitor symptoms and review immunization records.

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

Ontario Launches Skills Development Investments for Health and Support Workers

Ontario opened the sixth round of its Skills Development Fund, providing $260 million for upskilling and training projects, including digital cross-training for personal support workers, practical nurses, and registered nurses in hospitals and long-term care.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Nova Scotia Opens RFPs for Two New Long-Term Care Facilities

Nova Scotia issued requests for proposals to build and operate long-term care homes in Pictou and Kings counties, with 240 new single-occupancy rooms planned and openings expected in 2028.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Maternity health providers in B.C. lament shortage of qualified workers: BC maternity care teams discuss labor challenges in the province.
• Complex health needs of unhoused populations are preventing palliative care access, Lakehead U. review finds: Barriers to palliative care for unhoused groups in Canada.
• Indonesia’s Ministry of Health and Philips to deliver nationwide coverage of advanced image-guided therapy systems in Indonesia, expanding access to cardiac, stroke and cancer care in all 38 provinces: International rollout of imaging tech for chronic and acute care.

.