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: 2025-12-22 to 2026-01-18

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Federal Government News

Government of Canada announces renewed support for the 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline

Minister of Health Marjorie Michel announced funding up to $120.2 million over two years for the 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline on January 16, 2026. The helpline provides 24/7 bilingual trauma-informed support to Canadians experiencing suicide crisis or distress. Operated by CAMH, the helpline works in partnership with 37 network affiliates, including local crisis lines, provincial mental health services, Kids Help Phone, and Hope for Wellness. Since its launch in 2023, 9-8-8 has become a national for suicide crisis support, allowing both phone and text access. Continued federal investment signals ongoing support for this mental health service, sustaining its operations through 2028 and ensuring Canadians have reliable access to crisis assistance regardless of location.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Health-adjusted life expectancy in Canada: Recent trends at birth and age 65 years, 2019, 2020 and 2023

Statistics Canada released data showing health-adjusted life expectancy declined in Canada in 2023, mirroring global trends following the COVID-19 pandemic. Women continue to outlive men, although they spend more years in poor health. The report details ongoing disparities by income level and province or territory, with persistent variation in both overall and healthy longevity. The data provides a benchmark for planning resource allocation, equitable service delivery, and risk management across the health system. Detailed breakdowns stratify results by age and gender, supplying actionable demographic insight for sector analysis.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Minister Hajdu invites organizations to apply for funding to improve workplace accessibility

Minister Patty Hajdu announced a call for proposals under the Enabling Accessibility Fund, providing $12 million over three years starting in 2026-27 to support workplace and community projects that improve accessibility for persons with disabilities. Each approved project is eligible for between $500,000 and $1 million, with a subset of funds ($2 million) dedicated to Indigenous groups. The grants will be awarded to 12 to 24 targeted projects across Canada. The Fund's scope includes construction, renovation, and retrofitting initiatives aimed at reducing workplace participation barriers for Canadians living with disabilities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Michel and Canada’s Fentanyl Czar meet with impacted Vancouver communities

On January 13, 2026, Minister of Health Marjorie Michel visited Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside to address the ongoing toxic drug crisis. Joining Kevin Brosseau (Fentanyl Czar) and Ginette Lavack (MP St. Boniface—St. Vital), Minister Michel announced $492,000 in federal support for All Nations Outreach Society via Health Canada’s Emergency Treatment Fund, targeting harm reduction and culturally grounded programs for Indigenous populations. The Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation received over $626,000 in addition to $5.8 million previous SUAP funding, supporting initiatives for transition and support services for people who use drugs. Law enforcement and local organizations are involved in coordinated responses to overdose prevention and community safety.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Improving access to health services for Francophone minority communities in British Columbia

Health Minister Marjorie Michel announced an investment of $345,000 to the British Columbia government for its 'Equitable Access to Personal Health Information' project. The initiative operates within the Official Languages Health Program and aims to enhance the province's digital health platforms by capturing patients' preferred official language, planning for improved access to French-language health services. The funding supports groundwork to facilitate more equitable health care access for Francophone communities in BC.

Sources: www.canada.ca

The federal government invests in health and wellness initiatives for those at risk or experiencing homelessness in Kelowna

On January 14, 2026, MP Stephen Fuhr announced top-up funding under Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy for Kelowna. The Central Okanagan Foundation received $3.9 million and the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society $2 million for programs supporting homelessness prevention and mental health. The Canadian Mental Health Association Kelowna is among project recipients facilitating skills development and service access, while the Central Okanagan Food Bank supports economic stability and health among Indigenous populations experiencing homelessness. These measures extend support for housing and health wellness in the region.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada advances First Nations-led new path forward on long-term reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program

On December 22, 2025, Minister Mandy Gull-Masty announced the submission of a detailed plan to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal for the reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program. The government is committing $35.5 billion until 2033-34, with annual ongoing funding of $4.4 billion afterward, to enable regional agreements led by First Nations. These agreements would support tailored delivery of child and family services in local contexts, expanding First Nations jurisdiction over governance, reporting, and planning. The approach builds on prior agreements and includes resources for First Nations Representatives to act as cultural and legal advocates for children.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Hajdu launches fourth call for proposals for Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Quality Improvement Projects

On January 14, 2026, Minister Patty Hajdu released a $47 million fourth round of funding for Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Quality Improvement Projects. Eligible First Nations, Métis, and Inuit entities can apply for up to $2 million per project (maximum 36 months), focusing on themes such as defining quality Indigenous early learning, supporting ongoing education for leaders and staff, strengthening licensing rules, and training for children with special needs. Application deadline is March 25, 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Solomon in Waterloo to announce investment in local companies to scale up production

On January 14, 2026, Minister Evan Solomon announced federal funding exceeding $3.5 million for Voltera Inc. and Blake Medical Group Inc. Voltera, an electronics printing machine manufacturer, receives $1.7 million to scale up PCB assembly solutions and accelerate research and prototyping. Blake Medical is allocated nearly $1.9 million to expand its medical mattress production with advanced materials and equipment, strengthening supply to hospitals and long-term care facilities, and enabling new entries into international markets.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister McKnight highlights continued support for the 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline in British Columbia

On January 16, 2026, Minister Jill McKnight, Veterans Affairs, visited Delta, BC to confirm federal investment in the 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline, also announced by Minister Marjorie Michel. Funding of up to $120.2 million will support 38 partner organizations nationwide and crisis services for Canadians seeking suicide prevention assistance. The network includes local crisis lines and national services such as Kids Help Phone and Hope for Wellness.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canadian Survey on Working Conditions, 2024-2025 released

Statistics Canada published initial results from the 2024-2025 Canadian Survey on Working Conditions on January 16. The data set is designed to inform on working environments, employment conditions, and related trends for Canadians. Results provide new granular benchmarks applicable to workforce and health sector planning for upcoming years.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Ontario Building and Expanding 16 Teaching Clinics to Connect 300,000 More People to Primary Care

Ontario announced an investment of up to $8 million toward 16 new and expanded primary care teaching clinics, offering enhanced training for family medicine residents and other health-care professionals in a team-based care model. The initiative is part of the $2.1 billion Primary Care Action Plan.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Acute care capacity update in Alberta

Alberta’s health system reports declining hospital admissions due to influenza A, with 675 patients hospitalized as of January 14 (down from 995 on December 30). Surge plans and expanded acute and continuing care capacity are in effect.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Manitoba Government Launches Digital Health Card

The Manitoba government launched a digital health card accessible via mobile devices, alongside the online MediNav appointment booking system, streamlining access to care and patient administration across the province.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Strategy and action plan for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in New Brunswick

New Brunswick introduced a three-year dementia strategy, including $1 million for the Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick. The plan covers early diagnosis, coordinated care, professional training, monitoring, and research promotion.

Sources: www2.gnb.ca

New health system dashboard launched in Alberta

Alberta launched a health system dashboard providing transparent metrics on surgical volumes, wait times, and facility performance. Additional indicators for primary care, cancer screening, and acute care are expected to roll out in the coming weeks.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Government Consultations

Release of draft (step 2) ICH E22: General Considerations for Patient Preference Studies

Health Canada announced consultation on the draft ICH E22 Guideline, inviting comment on patient preference studies in pharmaceutical development until April 12, 2026. The aim is harmonising approaches in global drug development.

Sources: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Health Matters: Canadian health workforce numbers struggling to meet demand, CIHI report says: Briefing on challenges in meeting health workforce demand.
• Trying to improve your health and wellness in 2026? Keep it simple: Overview of approaches to wellness goals for Canadians.
• Health-care bureaucrats need to return to the front lines. They're desperately needed: Examination of workforce deployment in Canadian health care.
• Reducing Ontario health care waits: Six solutions avoiding privatization pitfalls: Discussion on potential philosophies for decreasing Ontario’s care wait times.
• Why proactive care is the key to better mental health this year: Arguments for more proactive approaches in mental health.
• ‘Running out of options’: public servant denied prescription coverage for chronically ill daughter: Coverage of challenges in prescription drug coverage.
• Health care crisis was ‘predictable’ and ‘preventable’: ER doctor: Alberta doctor addresses factors in provincial health system strain.
• XBP Global Recognized as a Leader in NelsonHall’s NEAT vendor evaluation for Healthcare Payer Agility and Innovation 2026: News on vendor leadership in payer innovation.
• Health Podcast - Listen to the New Episode: Gastro Under the Microscope: Quebec podcast episode covers gastroenteritis basics.
• Manitoba Government Lowers Breast Cancer Screening Age to 45: Announcement of changes to breast cancer screening eligibility in Manitoba.

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