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: 2025-08-10 to 2025-08-16

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Canadian Federal GR News

Government directs arbitration in Air Canada-CUPE labour dispute to secure patient supply chains

On August 16, Minister Patty Hajdu announced that the federal government has directed the Canada Industrial Relations Board to arbitrate the ongoing contract dispute between Air Canada and CUPE, following eight months of negotiations and an impasse reached by both parties. The strike, which has disrupted passenger movement and the shipment of critical cargo, has been cited as a significant risk to Canadian supply chains, including healthcare delivery. According to Minister Hajdu, over 40% of critical goods such as pharmaceuticals and organ tissue are carried by Air Canada, raising immediate concerns for timely medical deliveries. The arbitration directive was issued under section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, extending current contract terms pending a new agreement. The government stated this step is being taken to preserve stability in Canadian economic activity and maintain continuity in vital healthcare logistics during the dispute. Both parties are instructed to engage with the Board, which will impose final and binding arbitration.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Government announces new funding to enhance health services for Francophone minority communities in Ontario

Health Canada announced upcoming support measures aimed at improving access to health services within Ontario’s Francophone minority communities. Hon. Marjorie Michel will lead the announcement, which targets expansion of primary healthcare resources and language-appropriate care for Francophone residents. This initiative forms part of broader efforts to reduce access barriers and respond to the healthcare needs of official language minorities within the province. The action responds to concerns raised about service inequities and is positioned to inform future resource allocation for providers operating in multisectoral environments in Ontario.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Federal initiative supports women with episodic disabilities entering the workforce

On August 14, Women and Gender Equality Canada committed $656,053 to a project led by Realize aimed at addressing barriers facing women with episodic disabilities in the labour market. Minister Rechie Valdez and MP Chi Nguyen highlighted the project, which deploys training, employer engagement, and workplace policy improvements to broaden opportunity and participation for these workers. The initiative seeks to challenge workplace norms and foster more inclusive environments, enhancing the potential pool of healthcare and support professionals across affected sectors.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Updated national cancer survival statistics published by Statistics Canada

A new data release from Statistics Canada covers five-year net survival rates for various cancer types for the period 1992 to 2021. The report details variability in outcomes by cancer type and tracks which cancers have posted the most pronounced survival improvements over time. Providers and policy analysts can access this latest data from the Canadian Cancer Registry to compare longitudinal changes, informing care strategies and program evaluation.

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

Provisional death counts provide recent insights into Canadian mortality trends

Statistics Canada released provisional death counts incorporating data from the Canadian Vital Statistics Death Database, spanning January 2023 to May 2025. A digital dashboard enables interactive access to mortality data, including age, sex, and cause-of-death breakdowns. Updated figures may be used by managers and researchers to monitor excess mortality and evaluate the impact of public health interventions.

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

Canada joins international donor statement on humanitarian conditions in Sudan

On August 14, Canada, through Secretary of State Randeep Sarai and Global Affairs Canada, joined 28 other international donors in issuing a joint statement calling for humanitarian access and a pause in hostilities around El Fasher, Sudan. The statement cites the extensive impact of violence on healthcare infrastructure, civilian access to medical care, and the heightened risk from diseases such as cholera. International providers with programming in the region may be affected by continued access challenges.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canadian delegation announces $77.6 million for international development health and economic programs in Peru and Colombia

Secretary of State Randeep Sarai announced $77.6 million in federal support for eight new development projects across Peru and Colombia. These programs center on improving health services, inclusive employment supports, climate-resilient agriculture, and gender-based violence prevention. Notably, initiatives include expanded access to sexual and reproductive health services and capacity building for health system actors serving migrant and Indigenous communities.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Minister of National Defence reviews Canadian Forces healthcare training at Borden

Minister David J. McGuinty visited Canadian Forces Base Borden on August 11, engaging with personnel at the Canadian Forces Health Services Training Centre. The trip included a review of recent pay increases and focused on training investments for healthcare professionals, including instructors and new recruits. Enhancements target improved recruitment and retention of military medical staff, supporting readiness and resilience in Canada’s defence health system.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Trends in multigenerational and intergenerational Canadian households published

A Statistics Canada release provides new analysis of multigenerational and intergenerational household structures based on 2021 data. It details national trends in living arrangements, with implications for aged care planning, home care service delivery, and design of programs for seniors and caregivers across jurisdictions.

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

US Federal GR News

US Health and Human Services reinstates childhood vaccine task force

The US Department of Health and Human Services has reestablished its childhood vaccine task force, nearly three decades after the body was previously disbanded. The move aims to coordinate immunization strategies and address public health outreach amid changing patterns in vaccine coverage. Implications may extend to Canadian medical device and supply firms with US-connected vaccine delivery businesses, as well as stakeholders tracking cross-border immunization program impacts.

Sources: Canadian News Outlet: www.theglobeandmail.com

Canadian Provincial GR News

Ontario launches construction on 240-bed long-term care home in Richmond Hill

Construction has commenced on The Village of Westbrook Lane, a new long-term care facility in Richmond Hill. The development is part of Ontario’s commitment to increase long-term care bed capacity, with the site tailored for specialized memory and physical care.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

New Brunswick amends Nursing Home Act to expedite hospital-to-nursing home transfers

Effective this month, New Brunswick has eliminated the 'critical state' admission process, authorizing faster transfers from hospitals to nursing homes when occupancy exceeds 95%. The new system allows for direct ministerial intervention to manage patient flow.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www2.gnb.ca

Alberta and Health Sciences Association of Alberta reach tentative collective agreement

The Government of Alberta and the Health Sciences Association of Alberta have concluded negotiations for a new collective agreement, pending union ratification. Specific terms remain confidential until voting is completed.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

BC introduces HealthIM crisis response tool in Nelson

British Columbia has launched HealthIM, a digital screening and information-sharing platform, for mental health-related police responses in Nelson. The system is designed to facilitate information exchange between first responders and healthcare providers.

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

Alberta awards $4.2 million to support First Nations student mental health

Alberta's government is distributing $4.2 million to 27 First Nations communities for mental health and learning supports in on-reserve schools for the 2025-26 academic year.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Government Consultations

Health Canada launches consultation on classification of products containing human-derived exosomes and related materials

Health Canada has opened a consultation process on the proposed regulatory classification of topical products containing human-derived exosomes, extracellular vesicles, and cell-conditioned media, seeking input from manufacturers, distributors, and practitioners until October 28, 2025.

Sources: Canadian Government Consultations: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Why Canadians with long COVID feel forgotten by the health-care system: ‘The pandemic still isn’t over’: Canadian patients report ongoing access challenges for long COVID care.
• Nurse-to-Patient Ratios Save Lives and Reduce Staff Burnout, Says New Academic Study: New research points to patient safety benefits in settings with regulated nurse staffing ratios.
• Ontario just shy of meeting target of four hours direct care for LTC residents: Ontario approaches, but does not fully meet, its direct care standards for long-term care.
• Nurse-to-Patient Ratios Save Lives and Reduce Staff Burnout, Says New Academic Study: Academic work indicates improved health worker well-being in units with set nurse-to-patient ratios.
• U.S. health department reinstates childhood-vaccine task force, nearly 30 years after it was disbanded: Federal US officials renew focus on immunization practices with a newly convened task force.

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