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: 2025-12-14 to 2025-12-20

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Canadian Federal Government News

Health Canada Opens Consultations on Red Tape Reduction for Drug Access and Clinical Trial Modernization

On December 19, Minister Marjorie Michel announced Health Canada's launch of consultations on two regulatory initiatives aimed at reducing barriers to drug access. The Ministerial Reliance Order will allow Health Canada to review portions of drug submissions using decisions from other trusted regulators, aiming to expedite access while maintaining quality, safety, and efficacy. Parallel to this, proposed clinical trial modernization regulations introduce updated frameworks to facilitate innovation and enhance participant safety. Greater alignment with international practices is anticipated, potentially increasing Canadians' access to new therapies and accelerating the approval process for drugs not currently available domestically.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Regulatory Amendments: Precursor Chemicals and Drug Equipment Controls

Minister Marjorie Michel announced regulatory changes under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act on December 18, expanding oversight of precursor chemicals and drug manufacturing equipment. Legal importers and manufacturers will encounter additional scrutiny, especially regarding items such as pill presses and encapsulators. These amendments equip border authorities with updated tools for enforcement, designed to disrupt illicit synthetic drug production and support Canada's border security strategy. The new rules increase Health Canada's authority to supervise legitimate precursor industry activities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government Appoints New Board Members to the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction

On December 17, Health Minister Marjorie Michel announced appointments to the Board of Directors of the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA). Dr. Louis Hugo Francescutti begins a three-year term as Chair, bringing experience from emergency medicine and public health, including the Bridge Healing initiative for homeless patients. Neil Arao, CEO of Options Community Services Society, and Susan Russell-Csanyi, an expert in public policy for marginalized groups, also join the board for three-year terms. The CCSA leads national initiatives on substance use, offering strategic direction to address alcohol and drug-related harms.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Partnership Signed to Advance Indigenous Occupational Health and Safety

A memorandum of understanding was signed December 17 between the Indigenous Centre for Occupational Health and Public Safety (ICOHPS) and the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS). The partnership is designed to develop new workplace safety strategies for Indigenous communities, including possible management system development, program updates, and a planned national conference on occupational health. Further joint activities will focus on ongoing dialogue to advance safety standards among Indigenous workers.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government of Canada Recognizes Gulf War Illness for Veterans’ Disability Benefits

On December 18, Veterans Affairs Minister Jill McKnight confirmed Gulf War Illness as a recognized diagnosis for disability benefits, following discussions with the Persian Gulf Veterans of Canada. The new process enables nurse adjudicators to review and decide cases without additional consultations, streamlining application procedures for eligible veterans. Persian Gulf Veterans with relevant symptoms can access expedited reviews through VAC, effective immediately as announced earlier at the Standing Committee of Veterans Affairs.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Releases Health Indicators on Primary and Specialist Care Access, 2024

Statistics Canada published new indicator tables from the 2024 Survey on Health Care Access and Experiences. These data, available as of December 19, provide current metrics on Canadians’ navigation and quality ratings of both primary and specialist services, offering industry stakeholders a data-driven basis for evaluating access and patient experiences across demographic segments.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

StatsCan Health Report: Mood Disorders among Older Canadians

On December 17, Statistics Canada released a report analyzing the prevalence of mood disorders among adults aged 65 and older using 2015-2023 data. The report provides disaggregated estimates across population groups, supporting targeted screening approaches and the planning of mental health interventions for seniors.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Combined Data Released from Canadian Community Health Survey 2023/2024

Statistics Canada has made available combined health survey data for the 2023 and 2024 reference years, containing updated indicators on population health behaviors, chronic disease prevalence, and service use patterns relevant for planning, operations, and research.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Federal AI Investment Supports Brain Health Innovation in Ontario

Minister Evan Solomon announced on December 17 a federal package of over $19 million for 20 AI-focused businesses and organizations in southern Ontario, including $2 million for the Ontario Brain Institute. The Centre for Analytics program expansion will supply secure AI tools to facilitate implementation of brain health solutions for research, clinical care, and digital services. The broader initiative aims to foster responsible adoption and scaling of AI technologies addressing health system challenges.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canadian Provincial Government News

Nova Scotia Launches Technology Platform to Bridge Home Care Agencies and Health Services

Nova Scotia announced a new $19-million technology platform connecting all publicly funded home care agencies and Nova Scotia Health's Continuing Care program, expected to be operational by mid-2027. The goal is improved coordination, scheduling, and real-time information sharing for approximately 40,000 home care recipients.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

BC Facilities Bargaining Association Ratifies New Agreement

The Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA), representing about 67,500 health services workers, finalized a collective agreement with Health Employers Association of BC. Major outcomes include wage increases, new health and safety provisions, and expanded HEABC membership for eligible care-home operators.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Manitoba Releases Province-Wide Health Status Report

Manitoba's Office of the Chief Provincial Public Health Officer published the '2025 Health Status of Manitobans Report' alongside the 2024 RHA Indicators Atlas, highlighting improvements in child care affordability and long-term cardiac outcomes, but persistent disparities in preventable illnesses and care access.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Saskatchewan Receives $1 Million Philanthropic Investment for Integrated Youth Health Services

Saskatchewan's HOMEBASE initiative obtained $1.05 million in new donations from the Bell-Graham Boeckh Partnership, Morris Foundation, and McConnell Foundation to expand integrated youth health hubs and virtual supports across the province for ages 12-25.

Sources: www.saskatchewan.ca

Measles Exposure Notified at Manitoba Health Centre (Steinbach)

Manitoba Health issued a public advisory regarding measles exposure at Bethesda Regional Health Centre in Steinbach on December 14. The notice outlines monitoring guidelines for exposed individuals and stresses the importance of immunization.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Government Consultations

Consultation: Modernizing the Framework for Clinical Trials

Health Canada opened a consultation December 20 seeking feedback on proposed Clinical Trials Regulations for drugs and related guidance, toward advancing regulatory modernization efforts. Consultation closes March 20, 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Health Matters: Canadian health workforce numbers struggling to meet demand, CIHI report says: New CIHI data points to ongoing labor supply challenges for health care providers.
• GE HealthCare and Indonesia's Ministry of Health to expand access to quality care through the provision of 300+ advanced CT scanners: Global partnership for increased diagnostic capacity.
• The rise of medical tourism: Examination of increasing cross-border patient movement for procedures.
• How employers can lead the way in supporting women’s health: Insights on workplace interventions for employee health.
• ‘This is preventative medicine.’ Toronto hospital starts $1-million fund to help patients with rent: An urban hospital introduces direct social supports for patients at risk.
• N.S. man inspires health-care system change while waiting for surgery in Toronto: Story of a Nova Scotia patient influencing system reforms.
• Why transitional support is key for youth aging out of mental health services: Discussion of gaps and needs for youth in mental health transitions.
• They came to Canada to be doctors. Then Ontario dashed their dreams. How a judge’s rulings are giving them new hope: Examination of Ontario policy changes for international medical graduates.

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