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: 2025-11-30 to 2025-12-06

📋 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

• House of Commons Standing Committee on Health: Supplementary Estimates (B), 2025-26 and Antimicrobial Resistance: On December 9, the Health Committee will review Supplementary Estimates (B) for multiple health agencies from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., featuring senior officials from the Department of Health, Public Health Agency of Canada, and Canadian Food Inspection Agency. From 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., the committee will study antimicrobial resistance, with witnesses from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Public Health Agency of Canada.
• Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology: Bill S-212 and Budget Implementation Act: On December 10 at 4:15 p.m., the Senate SOCI Committee will study Bill S-212 (national strategy for children and youth) and relevant divisions of Bill C-15. Witnesses include Gabrielle Fayant (Assembly of Seven Generations), Leila Sarangi (Campaign 2000), Karen Moores (Easter Seals), and Krista Carr (Inclusion Canada).
• Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology: Clause-by-clause review of Bill S-212: On December 11 at 10:30 a.m., the SOCI Committee will conduct clause-by-clause consideration of Bill S-212, An Act respecting a national strategy for children and youth in Canada.

Canadian Federal Government News

Government of Canada expands oral health care access in Ontario

On December 5, Viviane Lapointe, MP for Sudbury, announced $2.6 million in funding for Cambrian College to establish Northeastern Ontario's first Level II dental assisting program. This initiative is part of a larger $35 million investment over three years supporting 30 projects under the Oral Health Access Fund (OHAF). Nearly six million Canadians are now covered by the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), with 2.3 million Ontarians enrolled and 1.4 million having already received care. The CDCP provides savings averaging $800 per year for eligible patients, with more than 27,000 oral health providers participating nationwide. The expansion is intended to improve hands-on training and address gaps in oral health care access, reducing pressure on emergency departments previously visited for dental issues.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Minister of Health tables Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) 2024 Annual Report

On December 3, Minister Marjorie Michel tabled the PMPRB's 2024 Annual Report in Parliament, detailing trends in patented medicine prices and sales. Patented medicines accounted for $22.1 billion in sales, representing 47% of all pharmaceutical sales in Canada. The report includes metrics on pharmaceutical research and development spending and outlines the PMPRB's ongoing activities in price review and compliance. The PMPRB serves as an independent body overseeing medicine pricing and reporting to support evidence-based purchasing and reimbursement decisions.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Health Canada launches National Wastewater Drug Surveillance dashboard

On December 4, Minister Marjorie Michel announced the launch of a new public dashboard under the National Wastewater Drug Surveillance (NWDS) program. The dashboard aggregates wastewater sampling data collected nationwide from January 2023 to July 2025, with quarterly updates planned. Provincial and territorial drug surveillance data are now available to health providers, governments, law enforcement, researchers, and academics for early intervention and decision-making. The NWDS supports the Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy and includes data on precursor chemicals as part of Canada's Border Plan.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Senate Committee reviews Human Pathogens and Toxins Act amendments

On December 3, the Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, chaired by Senator Rosemary Moodie, examined amendments to the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act (Bill C-15). Kimby Barton from the Public Health Agency of Canada discussed measures to modernize biosecurity, including tiered security screening focused on high-risk containment level 4 and selected risk group 3 facilities. Penalties for unauthorized communication of sensitive information to foreign entities were addressed. Barton noted ongoing consultations with industry to mitigate administrative burdens on smaller labs, with emergency preparedness and supply chain integrity as legislative priorities. The session also covered impacts on vaccine research organizations, with safeguards to avoid impeding innovation.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Manitoba receives federal investment to expand emergency response training

On December 1, Anthony Housefather, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Emergency Management, announced a $400,000 federal investment to expand St. John Ambulance's Winnipeg facility. The expansion will add classrooms and training spaces, enabling more first aid courses and reducing waitlists. The facility supports volunteer training for major events, including the Grey Cup, and aims to strengthen Manitoba's emergency preparedness capacity through the Community Economic Development and Diversification (CEDD) program.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Senate reviews Budget Implementation Act (Bill C-15): health and workforce provisions

On December 2, the Senate Committee on National Finance discussed Bill C-15’s budget measures, including the personal support workers tax credit estimated at $1.4 billion over five years, and Build Canada Homes with $7.3 billion allocated from 2025-30 for 26,000 housing units. Parliamentary Budget Officer Jason Jacques fielded questions on debt ceiling increases and workforce implications. Senators debated tax credit scope for PSWs, fiscal sustainability, luxury tax on aircraft, and the removal of the 1% underutilized housing tax. Workforce impacts and administrative costs associated with federal regulations were also discussed.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Senate Committee reviews Budget Implementation Act (Bill C-15): tax credits and health incentives

On December 3, the Senate Committee on National Finance continued its review of Bill C-15, with Department of Finance officials clarifying details of clean electricity and carbon utilization tax credits, including eligibility, implementation, and fiscal impacts. Senators raised questions on enforcement resources for the Canada Labour Code, the repeal of the digital services tax, and amendments affecting osteopaths and personal support workers. The discussion covered tax incentives for mineral exploration, disability supports deduction, housing deduction, and immediate expensing of capital expenditures. The committee requested further details on interest payments related to refunds.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

StatsCan releases health workforce vacancy trends for 2024

Statistics Canada published regional data on health workforce vacancies for 2024, noting persistent challenges in filling health-related positions as care demand rises. The data reveal significant variation in unmet labour demand across regions, providing insights into pressures facing health care employers and planners.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Statistics Canada releases new oral health measures, 2022–2024

Updated direct measures from the Canadian Health Measures Survey (2022–2024) offer the first comprehensive oral health data in over 15 years. Improvements in some indicators are noted, while others—such as declining gum health—point to areas needing closer attention. The survey provides a more complete profile of Canadians’ oral health status.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Medical assistance in dying (MAID) data for 2023 available

Statistics Canada's Research Data Centres now host new data on medical assistance in dying (MAID) for 2023. Health Canada’s Fifth Annual Report details the monitoring system and findings relevant to MAID service delivery and usage across Canada.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

International Day of Persons with Disabilities: federal statements and data releases

On December 3, Minister Patty Hajdu marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, referencing Canada's ongoing work on the Disability Inclusion Action Plan and Employment Strategy for Canadians with Disabilities. The federal government aims to close the employment gap for persons with disabilities by 2040. Statistics Canada released products profiling the experiences of persons with disabilities to track progress under the Accessible Canada Act.

Sources: www.canada.ca, www.statcan.gc.ca

Canadian Provincial Government News

British Columbia reduces health authority administration to bolster frontline care

BC is consolidating administrative services across regional health authorities and PHSA, redirecting anticipated savings exceeding $60 million annually to frontline patient care. The new shared services organization will launch by spring 2026.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Manitoba expands Virtual Medicine Ward to improve patient flow

Manitoba's Virtual Medicine Ward program is being expanded to more Winnipeg hospitals, allowing monitored home recovery for eligible patients and easing emergency department pressures. Admissions have increased, freeing up over 90 bed days.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Nova Scotia surpasses healthcare program enrolment targets at universities

Nova Scotia universities exceeded their healthcare program seat targets, enrolling about 1,900 first-year students, up from the planned 1,800, strengthening the province’s future workforce.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

Quebec launches Action Plan on Alzheimer's Disease and Neurocognitive Disorders

The Ministry of Health and Social Services introduced the 2025-2030 Action Plan, focusing on prevention, dignified care, equitable access, quality improvement, and research innovations for Alzheimer’s and other neurocognitive disorders.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Manitoba increases training seats for laboratory and X-ray technologists

Manitoba doubled student seats for combined laboratory and X-ray technologists, securing ten first-year positions at Saskatchewan Polytechnic for 2026, with return-of-service agreements supporting rural diagnostic capacity.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Government Consultations

Consultation launched on new requirements for lithium-ion batteries in consumer products

Health Canada has opened a consultation on proposed mandatory requirements for lithium-ion batteries and products containing them under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act, accepting feedback until February 14, 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Dynacare: At Dynacare, care and compassion start with staff: Dynacare discusses its approach to supporting staff and quality care.
• Chronic Rare Diseases in an Aging America: Why HyBryte and Federal Policy Matter Now: US policy and drug innovation in rare diseases.
• Rocket Doctor Announces First in Canada Strategic Partnership with Toronto Metropolitan University to Support Clinical Education of Medical Learners on a Digital Health Platform: Partnership advances clinical education in digital health.
• What a N.S. palliative care unit tells us about Canada’s rural health care challenges: Reporting on rural palliative care delivery in Nova Scotia.
• Older men struggle to navigate isolation. ‘Social prescribing’ can help ease its burden: Examining approaches to social isolation among older men.
• Opinion: The never-ending riddle of Canadian health spending: Opinion piece on persistent questions in health funding.
• ‘Not just a hockey game’: Windsor first responders battle cancer together: Windsor first responders raise cancer awareness.
• Nova Scotia launches One Person One Record clinical information system at IWK: IWK Health debuts integrated electronic health records.

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