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.

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Dates: 2026-01-26 to 2026-02-01

📋 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 to Hold Vice-Chair Election and Antimicrobial Resistance Study: On February 3, the House of Commons Health Committee will elect a Vice-Chair and take testimony regarding antimicrobial resistance from Dr. Dao Nguyen, Dr. Joseph Rubin, Dr. Scott Weese, and officials including the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
• Canadian Heritage Committee: Effects of Social Media on Children and Adolescents: The Canadian Heritage Committee meets February 3, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., studying social media’s effects on children and youth. Witnesses include Carol Todd (Amanda Todd Legacy Society), Maude Bonenfant (UQAM), and representatives from Capsana and Children First Canada.
• Senate Committee on Social Affairs Studies National Strategy for Children and Youth: The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology convenes on February 4 to elect a Deputy Chair and conduct clause-by-clause review of Bill S-212, focusing on a national strategy for children and youth.
• Senate Committee Reviews Budget and Youth Strategy Legislation: On February 5, the Senate Social Affairs Committee will continue clause-by-clause review of Bill S-212 regarding a national strategy for children and youth at 10:30 a.m.

Federal Government News

Government of Canada Commits $4.7 Million to Dementia Community Projects

On January 28, the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, allocated over $4.7 million to six new projects targeting the needs of people living with dementia and their caregivers. Funded through the Dementia Community Investment, recipient organizations include the Art Gallery of Hamilton, Canada's National Ballet School, Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, and the University of Northern British Columbia. These community-based and national initiatives span research, caregiver support, and risk factor education, as part of ongoing implementation of 'A Dementia Strategy for Canada: Together We Aspire.'

Sources: www.canada.ca

Anie Perrault Designated Chairperson of Patented Medicine Prices Review Board

On January 29, Minister Michel announced Anie Perrault's appointment as Chairperson of the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB), effective until August 9, 2028. A seasoned lawyer with three decades of professional experience, Perrault previously served as Vice-Chairperson. Supported by Dr. Emily Reynen, Mr. Peter Moreland-Giraldeau, and Ms. Sharon Blady, the Board is tasked with preventing excessive pricing of patented medicines in Canada. The announcement affirms the government’s open, transparent selection process for Governor in Council appointees.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Cyber Centre Releases National Ransomware Threat Outlook 2025–2027

On January 28, the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, part of Communications Security Establishment Canada, issued its 'Ransomware Threat Outlook 2025 to 2027.' The report finds the ransomware threat landscape is evolving, with financially motivated actors leveraging artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency. Organizations across Canada remain susceptible, and the use of new extortion tactics is noted. The Outlook advocates for regular software updates and multi-factor authentication as effective protective steps and stresses the importance of collaboration between government agencies and the private sector. The assessment forecasts ransomware attacks will continue posing substantial risk nationally over the next two years.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Ali Announces $25 Million for Primary Health Care Infrastructure in Brampton

On January 30, Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali declared $25 million in new funding for Toronto Metropolitan University's School of Medicine at its Brampton campus. Announced during his visit with TMU, the funds are targeted toward constructing a student building and establishing primary care teaching clinics in nearby communities. The investment is part of Budget 2025’s major infrastructure plan and aims to increase the number of certified doctors and healthcare professionals in Ontario. The broader fiscal package entails $60 billion in savings and revenues over five years, supporting sectoral transformation.

Sources: www.canada.ca

National Video Contest Engages Youth on Workplace Health and Safety

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety announced the 2026 Focus on Safety Youth Video Contest, inviting young Canadians to showcase the value of workplace safety in original videos. Provincial and territorial competitions precede national judging, with finalists eligible for cash prizes and schools also receiving awards. Winners will be made public during Safety and Health Week in May, with further contest details accessible via the Young Workers Zone website.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Release of Canadian Health Measures Survey Laboratory Data, 2022–2024

Statistics Canada published non-environmental and environmental laboratory datasets for Canadians ages 1 to 79 from the 2022–2024 Health Measures Survey. Indicators now available include blood and urine chemistry, cardiovascular health, diabetes and nutritional biomarkers, environmental exposure markers, thyroid function, and measures of fluoride in tap water. These datasets provide a wide reference base for ongoing health system monitoring.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Canadian Census Health and Environment Cohorts Data Sets Extended

On January 28, extended years for Canadian Census Health and Environment Cohort datasets (1991, 1996, and 2001) became available, together with Canadian Vital Statistics–Death database data to December 31, 2023, and Cancer Registry records to December 31, 2022. Updated annual postal codes for mailing address linkage (1981–2023) were released as well, supporting health system analyses.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Statistics Canada Issues Long-Term Population Projections for Canada

Population projections for Canada, the provinces, and territories were released for 2025–2075. The report integrates factors such as contemporary low fertility rates and recent immigration policy changes, supplying fresh demographic estimates pertinent to healthcare planning.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Fertility and Intentions Data from the Survey on Family Transitions

Published January 26, Statistics Canada’s release of 2024 Survey on Family Transitions data explores childbearing patterns and fertility intentions among Canadian women ages 20–49, detailing sociocultural correlates associated with these outcomes.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Nova Scotia Health Enhances Family Practice Registry Functionality

Nova Scotia Health upgraded its Need a Family Practice Registry, converting it into a dynamic patient management platform supporting thousands in the province, and completed its registry validation effort. New reporting formats will be piloted before detailed public disclosures begin in April.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

British Columbia Launches Digital Crisis Screening Tool for Mental Health

The B.C. government rolled out HealthIM, a risk assessment software for police responding to mental health crises, in several South Vancouver Island police departments. Partnerships with local hospitals will support coordinated care for individuals in crisis.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Ontario Opens Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Hub in Lambton County

Ontario launched a new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub in Lambton County, part of a $550 million investment to expand mental health and addictions service access, including support for housing and recovery.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Manitoba Government Reports Record Hip and Knee Surgeries

Manitoba conducted 7,056 joint replacement surgeries in 2025, the highest annual total in the province, with nearly 70% performed as outpatient procedures. The centralized Surgical Wait Information Management system facilitated increased operational capacity.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

British Columbia Expands Foundry Youth Mental Health Supports

The Province is extending Foundry mental health and addiction support services to five new communities, serving young people aged 12 to 24 and their caregivers, with a total $1.7 million investment and ongoing operational funding.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Government Consultations

Consultation: Review of Priority Drug Approval Reconsideration Process

Health Canada is consulting on its proposal to remove the reconsideration process for requests denied Priority Review or Advance Consideration for Notice of Compliance with conditions (NOC/c). Feedback is invited until February 6, 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Family doctors and nurse practitioners taking new patients at Health Care Connect: Ongoing recruitment is linking new patients to family doctors and nurse practitioners through Health Care Connect.
• N.S. family practice registry will resume detailed reporting in April: Nova Scotia’s family practice registry is set to resume public reporting on patient attachment.
• More caregivers in Quebec eligible for compensation under new home health policy: Quebec expands eligibility for home health compensation to additional caregivers.
• Opinion: It is the right time – socially and economically – to scale back extended health benefits for refugees: Commentary on the timing for scaling back extended health benefits for refugees in Canada.
• Opinion: As a family doctor, the nearly extinct house call is still a meaningful part of my job: Physician commentary on the enduring value of house calls in family medicine.

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