This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning healthcare providers, doctors, physicians, clinicians, pharmacies and pharmacists, dental care providers, oral care providers, naturopaths, and old-age care providers. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Dates: 2026-01-19 to 2026-01-25

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• Health Committee Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance—January 27: The House of Commons Standing Committee on Health will hold a meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance on January 27 from 3:30–5:30 p.m., with witnesses including Dr. Isaac Bogoch (University of Toronto), Dr. Victor Leung, Dr. Karl Weiss (Jewish General Hospital), Gerry Wright (McMaster), Dr. Makeda Semret (McGill), and Kim Neudorf (Patients for Patient Safety Canada), available via webcast.
• Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics Committee to Study AI Governance—January 26: On January 26, the Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics Committee will examine challenges posed by artificial intelligence regulation, with witnesses Wyatt Tessari L'Allié (AI Governance and Safety Canada), Etienne Brisson (The Human Line Project), Steven Adler, and Andrea Miotti (Control AI US, Inc.) testifying from 3:30–5:30 p.m.

Federal Government News

Federal Funding to Enhance Social Inclusion for Seniors in Northeastern Nova Scotia

On January 20, Jaime Battiste, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Member of Parliament for Cape Breton–Canso–Antigonish, announced up to $3.45 million in federal funding through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) for St. Francis Xavier University’s collective impact project in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. The five-year pan-Canadian initiative aims to increase social inclusion for vulnerable seniors aged 55 and above with disabilities by mapping and expanding access to local services, promoting intergenerational connections, and encouraging volunteer participation. Since its inception in 2004, NHSP has funded more than 43,000 community projects Canada-wide, with over $970 million invested. Funding through the NHSP supports multi-year collaborative approaches that address systemic barriers to seniors' inclusion, including elder abuse and lack of community engagement opportunities. St. Francis Xavier University’s project is set to benefit both the university and several local organizations in northeastern Nova Scotia, with the 2023–24 NHSP call allocating up to $61.9 million for pan-Canadian concepts targeting vulnerable senior populations.

Sources: www.canada.ca, www.canada.ca

Statement from Health Minister on National Non-Smoking Week—Federal Resources and Progress Report

The Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, released a statement for National Non-Smoking Week, noting that Health Canada’s 2026 progress report shows that Canada is on track to reduce tobacco use to less than 5% by 2035 under Canada’s Tobacco Strategy. Daily youth smoking rates are now below 1%, with about 13% of Canadians reporting tobacco use as of 2024. Health Canada continues to fund cessation programs including the virtual Smoke-Free Connect hub led by CAMH, and is working with Indigenous communities to support tailored tobacco reduction projects. Efforts include adaptation of quitting resources for rural areas and culturally grounded prevention initiatives. Canadians seeking to quit have access to online and phone-based quit supports, and providers are encouraged to reference national campaigns like Tools for a Smoke-Free Life for patient-facing resources.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Governments of Canada and Manitoba Renew Support for Farmer Mental Wellness Program

On January 21, federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced a two-year, $300,000 extension to the Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program (MFWP) as part of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. The MFWP offers counselling services delivered by practitioners with agricultural literacy, supporting farmers, their families, and employees facing stressors such as weather events, market volatility, and operational pressures. The additional federal-provincial funding aims to maintain flexible and confidential mental health support, with a focus on accessibility for rural producers. The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a $3.5-billion national agri-food sector investment, with $1 billion in federal funds and $2.5 billion cost-shared for regional programming.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Project Announcements for International Development and Health Initiatives in ASEAN

The Honourable Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development), announced more than $123 million in Canadian funding for projects across Vietnam, Indonesia, and Fiji. Health-related projects include $4.6 million to strengthen midwifery education in Indonesia in partnership with UNFPA and McMaster University, aiming to improve maternal health service quality and support equitable reproductive health access. Funding in Vietnam will support programs targeting climate-adaptive coastal communities, and several initiatives focus on women-led organizations and ecosystem restoration. ASEAN-focused projects include capacity-building for responsible AI governance and research into decarbonization technologies. The multi-year initiatives are channelled via the ASEAN-Canada Plan of Action Trust Fund, supporting research and digitalization in member states.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Funding to Support Workplace Sexual Harassment Services in BC

On January 20, Hedy Fry, MP for Vancouver Centre, representing the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice, announced $1.5 million in federal funding for SHARP Workplaces, administered by the Community Legal Assistance Society. The program will provide up to five hours of free legal advice in person, by phone, or video for workers experiencing sexual harassment, extend outreach to rural and remote areas, and offer referrals to related services. Educational resources and trauma-informed training for legal staff are included. The initiative follows increased incidents of workplace harassment and seeks to inform workers of legal rights and access available support.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Mental Health Care Access Disparities: New Statistics Canada Data Released

Statistics Canada released a new study on January 21 titled "Investigating disparities in mental health care service use among people with mood and anxiety disorders." Findings based on the 2022 Mental Health and Access to Care Survey outline which demographic groups are more likely to seek professional help for mental health issues. The dataset is nationally representative and highlights ongoing access challenges for Canadians requiring mental health services. The report provides detailed breakdowns by region, age, and disorder type, contributing to the evidence base for healthcare planning.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Saint John Launches Mobile Health-Care Team Supporting Vulnerable Populations

The Government of New Brunswick introduced a mobile health-care co-ordination team in Saint John’s uptown, providing primary care, addictions, and mental health support directly to unhoused or at-risk populations with visits to community sites and encampments.

Sources: www2.gnb.ca

Elkford, BC, Expands Same-Day Primary Care Access for Rural Residents

The Elkford urgent and primary care centre (UPCC) has provided care to approximately 1,500 rural residents since May 2025, with expanded staffing and facilities offering both walk-in and virtual appointments supported by nearly $2 million in annual operating costs.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Manitoba Government Recruits 13 U.S.-Trained Physicians and Launches Online Booking System

Manitoba recruited 13 U.S.-trained physicians to join care teams, building on the addition of 285 doctors in 2025 and integrating these hires into the new medinav.ca booking platform, which facilitated nearly 50,000 patient visits in 2025.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Éyameth’ Health Centre Opens in Harrison Mills, BC, as Indigenous-Led Primary Care Hub

The newly opened Éyameth’ Health Centre offers integrated health and wellness services on the shared territories of the Sq'ewlets and Sts'ailes Nations, with 14 full-time health-care providers serving both Indigenous and non-Indigenous patients from Agassiz to Mission.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Ontario Opens Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Hub in Dufferin County

Ontario’s new HART Hub in Orangeville provides primary care, mental health, addictions, and social supports for individuals facing housing instability, as part of a $550 million provincial initiative with plans for satellite and mobile clinics to further expand access.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Government Consultations

Consultation: Proposed Risk-Based Authorization for Infant Food for Special Dietary Purposes

Health Canada is accepting comments on a proposed risk-based approach for authorizing infant formula and medical foods for special dietary purposes until January 25, 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Breaking Barriers: How 2026’s Top Clinical Leaders Are Disrupting Chronic Disease Markets: Examination of disruptive approaches in chronic disease care.
• Infrastructure not enough to save health-care system: ER doctor: Emergency physician comments on limits of infrastructure in healthcare improvements.
• Patient information, in real-time and in one place: Overview of efforts to consolidate real-time patient data systems.
• A Toronto hospital’s mass-casualty war game puts Canada’s health care system to the test: Reporting on preparedness exercises in Canadian hospitals.
• Sustainable Innovation & Health Dividend Fund Distributions: Fund performance and industry impact highlights.
• Countdown for a Cure Partners with Dr. Taz Bhatia M.D. and hol+ to Advance Mitochondrial Research and Awareness: Announcement of mitochondrial research partnership.
• Investment into health-care system showing results despite pushback: province: Alberta government notes early impacts of health care investments.

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