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: 2026-02-08 to 2026-02-14

📋 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

There are no scheduled committee meetings this week.

Federal Government News

Senate Sittings Cover Health Workforce, Aging Population and Innovation

During Senate sitting no. 51 on February 12, Hon. Colin Deacon raised concerns about long specialist wait times and the formal referral process, referencing Nova Scotia’s Virtual Hallway platform as an example, which reportedly reduced referrals by 84%. He commended CAN Health Network for supporting connections between health systems and innovators, citing job and revenue growth. Hon. Victor Boudreau described the Nursing Home Without Walls program, which offers services enabling seniors to delay nursing home entry. The session included procedural discussions affecting health sector funding—such as debate of Supplementary Estimates. Topics addressed during Question Period affecting the healthcare industry included permanent residency delays, CIHR funding, genetically modified pork transparency, and Alberta’s Bill 11. Senator Osler suggested QR codes could enhance access to health information in the context of the Internal Economy committee’s resource exemption approval for Indigenous dental Calls to Action. The session concluded with Royal Assent for an Income Tax Act amendment.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Senate Sitting Addresses AI in Youth Mental Health, Privacy, and Sports Medicine

The February 10 Senate session began with Hon. Senator Yonah Martin promoting Bill S-204 on heart failure, in parallel with acknowledgments for community equity celebrations and technical challenges. Senator McPhedran drew attention to the mental health implications of artificial intelligence on youth. Senator Klyne discussed issues related to privacy laws, and questions were raised about the use of social media in official communications. Broader discussions linked physical activity and health outcomes, situating the role of sports medicine in care models and referencing community initiatives throughout the sitting. No direct federal legislation affecting healthcare operations advanced; however, procedural guidance and debate on health and innovation issues continued.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Government Extends and Expands Veteran Family Telemedicine Service (VFTS)

Veterans Affairs Canada announced on February 9 an extension and expansion of the Veteran Family Telemedicine Service, in partnership with Canadian Forces Morale Welfare Services. The program, operated by Maple, will now cover all veterans released from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) on or after April 1, 2025, in addition to their families and survivors. This initiative, previously limited to medically released veterans, offers virtual access nationwide to doctors, nurse practitioners, and specialists. All currently enrolled CAF veterans and their families will have coverage extended for an additional year. New registrations are open on the Maple platform until March 31, 2027.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CRTC Discusses Digital Equity and Rural Health Connectivity

Vicky Eatrides, Chairperson of the CRTC, delivered remarks to the Standing Committee on Finance on February 9, emphasizing the CRTC’s Broadband Fund, which has allocated over $770 million since 2019 for projects reaching more than 320 communities, including health care facilities. The commission is advancing telecom and broadcasting policy—with decisions due soon on consumer protections, and implementation of the Online Streaming Act requiring streaming services to support local, French-language, and Indigenous content. Eatrides said improved broadband access has positively affected health connectivity in rural and Indigenous regions. The committee was told prices for cellphone services declined by over 37% between 2021 and 2025, affecting telemedicine operational costs and access.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Releases Mortality Data Update Covering January 2024 to November 2025

Statistics Canada published updated adjusted counts of deaths from the Canadian Vital Statistics Death Database, covering January 2024 through December 2025. The Provisional Deaths in Canada Dashboard now features the latest available data and new visualization tools, giving health system planners and analysts timely insights on mortality trends. The release informs ongoing evaluation of excess mortality, supporting analysis for healthcare planning and resource allocation.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Government of Canada Appoints Rita Virk to CMHC Board of Directors

On February 11, Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities Canada announced the addition of Rita Virk—a Chartered Professional Accountant with experience including Fraser Health and BC Children’s Hospital Foundation—to the board of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Virk’s prior leadership in financial services and health sector governance is expected to inform oversight and risk management at CMHC, which has implications for future health infrastructure finance and real estate policy.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

New Brunswick Launches Digital Health Strategy and Invests in EMRs

New Brunswick has introduced a strategy to modernize its digital health infrastructure, allocate $1.75 million for electronic medical record funding, and enhance data sharing among providers. The strategy’s five main objectives are advanced analytics, seamless communications, provider experience, patient empowerment, and modernized systems.

Sources: www2.gnb.ca

Ontario Expands Primary Care Workforce Initiatives

Ontario allocated $30 million to expand the primary care workforce, funding over 1,400 registered nurse upskilling opportunities and adding nurse practitioner and physician assistant education seats. The plan supports education partnerships with institutions and aims to facilitate chronic disease management and maternal care.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Manitoba Releases Roadmap for Safe Nurse Staffing Ratios

Manitoba completed its first collaborative report on nurse staffing in partnership with front-line nurses and the Manitoba Nurses Union. The roadmap presents evidence-based methods for safer care and stronger staff retention, targeting high-acuity settings such as ICUs and operating rooms.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Alberta Issues Measles Exposure Notice Linked to Grande Prairie Location

Alberta’s health authorities have notified the public about potential measles exposure at a Grande Prairie indoor play area on three dates between January 26 and February 10. Unvaccinated individuals are advised to review their immunization status and monitor for symptoms.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

British Columbia Announces Major Funding for Disability Services

British Columbia will invest $475 million over three years in a new direct benefit and supplement for families of children and youth with disabilities, expanding financial supports and community-based services province-wide. The benefit will eventually replace the current autism funding program, with phased implementation through 2026–2027.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Government Consultations

Consultation: Draft guidelines for Canadian drinking water quality, Chlorite and chlorate

Health Canada is seeking feedback on draft guidelines for chlorite and chlorate in Canadian drinking water, including the assessment methodology and expected implementation impacts. The consultation runs until April 14, 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Complex learning needs: Examines the increasing complexity of student requirements in Canadian schools.
• 'Entre les lignes': the mental health toll on Quebec paramedics: Focuses on the mental health toll on Quebec paramedics.
• ‘Everyone Deserves To Smile’ campaign aims to provide dental care for Victoria’s most vulnerable: Looks at Victoria dental care accessibility for underserved groups.
• New Brunswick launches strategy to streamline health-care services after facing hospital capacity criticisms: Reports on New Brunswick’s strategy to reorganize health-care services.
• P.E.I. physician calls for ‘system-level solutions’ to health-care problems: A P.E.I. physician makes the case for health system reforms.
• Alberta pauses health-care coverage change for some international work permit holders: Alberta government reconsiders changes to health coverage for foreign workers.
• Opinion: Data, data everywhere but nothing to connect it to health care: Discusses the challenges in integrating health data with direct patient care.
• Alberta reconsiders cutting health coverage for some temporary foreign workers after concerns raised: More detail on Alberta's health coverage debate for temporary foreign workers.
• Opinion: Quebec’s centrally planned health care is failing: Argument regarding Quebec’s centrally managed health care approach.

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