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.

Dates: 2025-11-16 to 2025-11-22

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Parliamentary Calendar
• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal Government News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial Government News
• 💬 Government Consultations
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• Upcoming HESA Committee: Immigration Policy Impact and Integration Barriers for Healthcare Professionals: The House of Commons Standing Committee on Health will meet on November 27 to study the impact of immigration policy on healthcare and barriers to integrating internationally trained professionals. Dr. Patricia Houston of University of Toronto is scheduled as a witness.
• HUMA Committee Examines Government Mandates and Key Priorities: On November 25, Hon. Patty Hajdu and departmental officials will appear before the Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities Committee to discuss mandates and priorities.
• Veterans Affairs Committee Studies Suicide Prevention Among Veterans: Scheduled for November 25, witnesses including Amanda Anderson and Patricia Bell will discuss suicide prevention efforts for veterans at the Veterans Affairs Committee.
• Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs: In-Camera Meeting Scheduled: The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology will convene in camera via videoconference on November 26 at 4:15 p.m.
• Senate Committee on Social Affairs: Clause-by-Clause Consideration of Bill S-212: On November 27, the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology will conduct clause-by-clause consideration of Bill S-212, which addresses a national strategy for children and youth in Canada.

Canadian Federal Government News

Canada Pledges $1.02 Billion to Global Fund for HIV, Tuberculosis, and Malaria

On November 21, 2025, Cindy Termorshuizen, Deputy Minister for the G7 Summit and Personal Representative of the Prime Minister, announced Canada's three-year commitment of $1.02 billion for the Global Fund’s eighth replenishment. This funding targets HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria, supporting ongoing programs that saved an estimated 70 million lives and reduced death rates by 63 percent in targeted countries. In 2024, the Global Fund provided HIV medicines to 25.6 million people, treated 7.4 million cases of tuberculosis, and supplied 162 million mosquito nets to prevent malaria. The investment also supports health system strengthening in low- and middle-income countries, with $2.7 billion allocated in 2024 for laboratories, supply chains, and disease tracking.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Royal Assent Given to Citizenship Act Amendment and Corporate Legislation

On November 20, 2025, the Senate granted Royal Assent to two bills: the amendment to the Citizenship Act (Bill C-3), and a corporate act for Gore Mutual Insurance Company under Quebec law (Bill S-1001). Bill C-3 is designed to restore citizenship status, notably addressing previous gender discrimination issues in citizenship transmission. The Senate’s session further saw allocations, including $25 billion for manufacturing sector support and a $150 million budget for CBC/Radio-Canada.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Government of Canada Invests $2.9 Million in Manitoba Healthcare Innovation

On November 21, Prairies Economic Development Canada committed over $2.9 million in repayable investments for two Manitoba-based companies. MoveMobility, a maker of accessible vehicles, will receive $1.1 million to expand into specialized ambulances using van platforms, supporting healthcare service delivery in rural and northern regions. QDoc Inc., a virtual healthcare platform, will obtain $1.9 million to develop and scale its digital services, facilitating remote patient-provider interactions. Both companies are positioned to expand healthcare accessibility for remote, rural, and underserved populations.

Sources: www.canada.ca

National Addictions Awareness Week and Substance Use Initiatives

Health Canada, via Minister Marjorie Michel’s statement on November 18, marked National Addictions Awareness Week under the theme 'Anchoring Hope.' Federal educational campaigns such as 'Ease the Burden' target trades workers who are disproportionately affected by substance use, while 'Know More Opioids' focuses on outreach to teens and young adults. Funding opportunities are active for urgent needs related to substance use and overdose prevention in partnership with municipal and Indigenous governments.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Upcoming Federal Dental Care Announcement

Health Canada scheduled a national dental care announcement for November 21, 2025. No additional details were released at the time, but the initiative follows the rollout of the Canadian Dental Care Plan, which has already extended coverage to over 612,000 children under 18.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Permanent National School Food Program for Children

On November 20, Secretary of State (Children and Youth) Anna Gainey confirmed that the National School Food Program has become permanent. The program now supports healthy school meals for up to 400,000 additional children, purportedly saving parents with two children up to $800 in grocery costs. This policy is intended to complement the Canada Child Benefit and early childhood education efforts.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Releases Report on Declining Use, but Continued Importance, of Virtual Care

On November 19, Statistics Canada published updated Health Reports data showing that, while virtual care utilization fell from pandemic levels, it remains a significant component of health care delivery in Canada. The report details recent patterns of use and examines associations with sociodemographic and health-related factors.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

House of Commons and Senate Review National Strategies for Children and Youth

On November 20, the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology continued its study of Bill S-212, focused on establishing a national strategy for children and youth. Witnesses advocated for distinctions-based approaches for Indigenous communities, direct consultations, and suggested the inclusion of Indigenous self-determination. Youth representatives called for co-design and inclusiveness, while senators questioned frameworks addressing community needs, funding, and annual reporting.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Canadian Space Agency Funds 12 New Projects on Spaceflight and Human Health

On November 20, the Honourable Mélanie Joly announced $2.2 million for 16 research projects led by 12 Canadian institutions studying impacts of spaceflight on human health, through the Canadian Space Agency. Conditions explored include anemia, bone density loss, cataracts, and cardiovascular risk—paralleling chronic conditions in Canadian adults—and insights aim to advance research on aging, chronic disease management, and future health innovation.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Survey on Giving, Volunteering and Participating: 2023 Data Tables Released

Statistics Canada has released new data tables for the 2023 Survey on Giving, Volunteering and Participating, providing granular insight on donor and volunteer participation and contributions. The tables offer longitudinal comparisons with 2018 data, supporting sectoral analysis on engagement and resources.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Cultural Continuity and Mental Health Among Indigenous People Formerly in Foster Care

Statistics Canada released findings indicating that most Indigenous people formerly in foster care continue to be placed in non-Indigenous homes—78% of First Nations (off reserve), 89% of Métis, and 43% of Inuit (2022 data). The report describes recent increases in placement in Indigenous foster homes, but non-Indigenous placements remain predominant.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Canadian Provincial Government News

Ontario Expands Skin and Wound Care Training in Long-Term Care Homes

Ontario is investing $3.74 million to train 1,100 long-term care home staff in skin and wound care. Four program streams are included, targeting nurses and personal support workers for expanded clinical skills.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

New Physician Services Agreement in New Brunswick Emphasizes Collaborative Care

A four-year agreement in New Brunswick offers economic increases of up to 12.5% for physicians and prioritizes collaborative care clinics through new compensation models and patient attachment tracking.

Sources: www2.gnb.ca

Manitoba Expands Prenatal Care with New Midwifery Services in Interlake-Eastern Region

Manitoba launched integrated midwifery services in the Interlake-Eastern Health Region, aiming for better prenatal, birthing, and postpartum support. The program provides care through two full-time midwives.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

British Columbia: Tentative Agreement Reached with Facilities Bargaining Association

HEABC and the Facilities Bargaining Association have reached a tentative framework agreement addressing wage comparability and benefit equity, notably for care aides and long-term care workers. Ratification is pending.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Alberta and AUPE: Auxiliary Nursing Care Negotiations and Strike Contingency

The Alberta government confirmed contingency plans to maintain 80% essential service staffing for LPNs and health care aides in case of AUPE strike, with non-essential services to be impacted per AHS communications.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Government Consultations

Consultation on Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist Updates

Health Canada requests feedback on proposed updates to the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist, including additions and changes to restrictions, with input accepted until February 17, 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Public Officials' Social Media

Senator Kutcher posted about the need for improved integration between scientific research and policy development.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Opinion: As a physician, I see how gender-affirming care benefits youth: Physician discusses impacts of gender-affirming care for youth in clinical practice.
• Women’s Health: Perimenopause, menopause and mental health: Explores connections between menopause, perimenopause, and mental health challenges.
• What Alberta's public-private doctor plan could mean for insurance, physician burnout, nurses and more: CBC reviews potential implications of Alberta’s public-private practice proposal.
• Checking in on P.E.I.'s Pharmacy Plus program, 3 years on: Update on progress and outcomes of Prince Edward Island’s expanded pharmacy program.
• Rural recruitment, mental health funding are challenges for psychiatry sector in N.B., association says: New Brunswick Psychiatry Association outlines workforce and recruitment challenges.
• Iris Gorfinkel: When doctors are in the dark: uncovering hidden drug costs in Ontario’s healthcare system: Discusses issues with hidden drug costs and transparency for Ontario physicians.
• Opinion | Can Canada capitalize on Sweden’s health data success?: Opinion piece analyzing lessons from Sweden’s national health data strategy.
• Alberta’s plan to let doctors work publicly and privately worries critics, health-care advocates: Global News covers debates on Alberta’s plan for mixed public-private physician practice.
• Kahuna and Vocantas Partner to Help Organizations Fill Shifts Faster With Qualified, Capable Employees: Partnership facilitates healthcare shift filling with digital tools.
• What Alberta's public-private doctor plan could mean for insurance, physician burnout, nurses and more: Explainer of Alberta’s evolving physician payment/insurance landscape.

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