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Monday, February 16, 2026

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Tessie Sanci

Tessie Sanci is a deputy editor at The Hill Times, where she focuses on federal health policy. She was previously the executive editor of Hill Times Health, and The Lobby Monitor, which are also a part of Hill Times Publishing.

With seven Upper Chamber vacancies, PCO won’t say how new Senators will be appointed as Senate advisory board loses more members

  • Prime Minister Mark Carney has not made it clear how he will move ahead with appointing Senators. But others say he's got 'bigger fish
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | February 9, 2026
Prime Minister Mark Carney has not appointed members to an advisory board that makes recommendations on Senate appointments. The board is nearly empty after the terms of most members expired. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

With seven Upper Chamber vacancies, PCO won’t say how new Senators will be appointed as Senate advisory board loses more members

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | February 9, 2026
  • Prime Minister Mark Carney has not made it clear how he will move ahead with appointing Senators. But others say he's got 'bigger fish

With seven Upper Chamber vacancies, PCO won’t say how new Senators will be appointed as Senate advisory board loses more members

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | February 9, 2026
  • Prime Minister Mark Carney has not made it clear how he will move ahead with appointing Senators. But others say he's got 'bigger fish
Prime Minister Mark Carney has not appointed members to an advisory board that makes recommendations on Senate appointments. The board is nearly empty after the terms of most members expired. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Arctic security investments must also improve living conditions in the North, say territories

  • The Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut premiers were recently in Ottawa to discuss the need for funding for housing, electricity, and transportation infrastructure as
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | February 9, 2026
Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson, left, and Nunavut Premier John Main were in Ottawa late last month to discuss their jurisdictions’ needs for foundational investments in roads, housing, and electricity. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Arctic security investments must also improve living conditions in the North, say territories

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | February 9, 2026
  • The Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut premiers were recently in Ottawa to discuss the need for funding for housing, electricity, and transportation infrastructure as

Arctic security investments must also improve living conditions in the North, say territories

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | February 9, 2026
  • The Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut premiers were recently in Ottawa to discuss the need for funding for housing, electricity, and transportation infrastructure as
Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson, left, and Nunavut Premier John Main were in Ottawa late last month to discuss their jurisdictions’ needs for foundational investments in roads, housing, and electricity. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

‘Diseases do not recognize borders’: U.S. decision to leave WHO ignores reality of how diseases spread, says Liberal MP Powlowski

  • Both the MP, a practising physician, and infectious disease specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch warn that progress made in reducing the prevalence of various diseases,
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | February 2, 2026
Liberal MP Marcus Powlowski, a practising medical doctor, says that while it’s not an MP's place to provide opinion on the U.S. government's decisions, he also said he feels compelled to comment on the importance of countries supporting international institutions. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Diseases do not recognize borders’: U.S. decision to leave WHO ignores reality of how diseases spread, says Liberal MP Powlowski

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | February 2, 2026
  • Both the MP, a practising physician, and infectious disease specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch warn that progress made in reducing the prevalence of various diseases,

‘Diseases do not recognize borders’: U.S. decision to leave WHO ignores reality of how diseases spread, says Liberal MP Powlowski

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | February 2, 2026
  • Both the MP, a practising physician, and infectious disease specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch warn that progress made in reducing the prevalence of various diseases,
Liberal MP Marcus Powlowski, a practising medical doctor, says that while it’s not an MP's place to provide opinion on the U.S. government's decisions, he also said he feels compelled to comment on the importance of countries supporting international institutions. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Lack of flexibility, questions about long-term funding have been stumbling blocks in signing pharmacare deals, say some premiers

  • Seven provinces and two territories don’t yet have deals even though Prime Minister Mark Carney said last fall that his government is committed to
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | February 1, 2026
New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt, left, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, centre, and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe say they are all interested in discussing a pharmacare deal with the federal government, but any deal would have to respect each individual province’s unique needs and realities. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Lack of flexibility, questions about long-term funding have been stumbling blocks in signing pharmacare deals, say some premiers

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | February 1, 2026
  • Seven provinces and two territories don’t yet have deals even though Prime Minister Mark Carney said last fall that his government is committed to

Lack of flexibility, questions about long-term funding have been stumbling blocks in signing pharmacare deals, say some premiers

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | February 1, 2026
  • Seven provinces and two territories don’t yet have deals even though Prime Minister Mark Carney said last fall that his government is committed to
New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt, left, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, centre, and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe say they are all interested in discussing a pharmacare deal with the federal government, but any deal would have to respect each individual province’s unique needs and realities. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Make federal funding permanent for Canada’s suicide crisis helpline, say Conservative and NDP critics

  • Long-time mental health advocates Conservative MP Todd Doherty and NDP MP Gord Johns say their passion for the subject is personal.
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | January 26, 2026
NDP MP Gord Johns, left, was named his party’s mental health and addictions critic in 2021 and continues his advocacy in his current role as health critic. Conservative MP Todd Doherty began his formal focus on the mental health file in 2020 when he was named special adviser on mental health and wellness. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Make federal funding permanent for Canada’s suicide crisis helpline, say Conservative and NDP critics

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | January 26, 2026
  • Long-time mental health advocates Conservative MP Todd Doherty and NDP MP Gord Johns say their passion for the subject is personal.

Make federal funding permanent for Canada’s suicide crisis helpline, say Conservative and NDP critics

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | January 26, 2026
  • Long-time mental health advocates Conservative MP Todd Doherty and NDP MP Gord Johns say their passion for the subject is personal.
NDP MP Gord Johns, left, was named his party’s mental health and addictions critic in 2021 and continues his advocacy in his current role as health critic. Conservative MP Todd Doherty began his formal focus on the mental health file in 2020 when he was named special adviser on mental health and wellness. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Health workforce, toxic drug crisis on health critics’ agendas this winter

  • Conservative health critic Dan Mazier says an upcoming committee report on immigration and health care will include ‘damning evidence’ that will surprise people.
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | January 26, 2026
Conservative health critic Dan Mazier, left, says a key focus for him during the winter sitting is the proximity of some supervised injection sites to places frequented by children, while NDP health critic Gord Johns says he’ll be vocal on issues including mental health and pharmacare. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Health workforce, toxic drug crisis on health critics’ agendas this winter

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | January 26, 2026
  • Conservative health critic Dan Mazier says an upcoming committee report on immigration and health care will include ‘damning evidence’ that will surprise people.

Health workforce, toxic drug crisis on health critics’ agendas this winter

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | January 26, 2026
  • Conservative health critic Dan Mazier says an upcoming committee report on immigration and health care will include ‘damning evidence’ that will surprise people.
Conservative health critic Dan Mazier, left, says a key focus for him during the winter sitting is the proximity of some supervised injection sites to places frequented by children, while NDP health critic Gord Johns says he’ll be vocal on issues including mental health and pharmacare. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Health organizations have questions, but few answers about feds’ new $5-billion Health Infrastructure Fund

  • The Canadian Association for Long Term Care says it will need an additional 382,400 to 454,000 beds by 2035 to keep up with demand.
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | January 19, 2026
Housing Minister Gregor Robertson’s department is taking the lead on the Build Communities Strong Fund, which includes funding for health infrastructure. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Health organizations have questions, but few answers about feds’ new $5-billion Health Infrastructure Fund

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | January 19, 2026
  • The Canadian Association for Long Term Care says it will need an additional 382,400 to 454,000 beds by 2035 to keep up with demand.

Health organizations have questions, but few answers about feds’ new $5-billion Health Infrastructure Fund

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | January 19, 2026
  • The Canadian Association for Long Term Care says it will need an additional 382,400 to 454,000 beds by 2035 to keep up with demand.
Housing Minister Gregor Robertson’s department is taking the lead on the Build Communities Strong Fund, which includes funding for health infrastructure. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

PHAC says creating national vaccination registry would be ‘difficult’ as Canada contends with high measles count, loss of measles-free status

  • The Canadian Medical Association wants to see a national registry while the Canadian Public Health Association says the feds should provide funds to provinces
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | January 19, 2026
The Public Health Agency of Canada says it's focusing on working with provinces and territories in improving the sharing of their vaccination data. ’Canada’s federated system includes 13 health systems governed by provinces and territories, making a single, national immunization registry model difficult,’ the agency says. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

PHAC says creating national vaccination registry would be ‘difficult’ as Canada contends with high measles count, loss of measles-free status

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | January 19, 2026
  • The Canadian Medical Association wants to see a national registry while the Canadian Public Health Association says the feds should provide funds to provinces

PHAC says creating national vaccination registry would be ‘difficult’ as Canada contends with high measles count, loss of measles-free status

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | January 19, 2026
  • The Canadian Medical Association wants to see a national registry while the Canadian Public Health Association says the feds should provide funds to provinces
The Public Health Agency of Canada says it's focusing on working with provinces and territories in improving the sharing of their vaccination data. ’Canada’s federated system includes 13 health systems governed by provinces and territories, making a single, national immunization registry model difficult,’ the agency says. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s reliance on U.S. health data under spotlight after federal health minister says she ‘cannot trust’ American vaccine policy

  • Canadian Public Health Association’s Ian Culbert says the U.S. used to be a trustworthy source, but Canada now needs to ‘up our game’ on
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | January 12, 2026
Health Minister Marjorie Michel recently told a Canadian news outlet that she “cannot trust” the U.S. on the issue of vaccines. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s reliance on U.S. health data under spotlight after federal health minister says she ‘cannot trust’ American vaccine policy

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | January 12, 2026
  • Canadian Public Health Association’s Ian Culbert says the U.S. used to be a trustworthy source, but Canada now needs to ‘up our game’ on

Canada’s reliance on U.S. health data under spotlight after federal health minister says she ‘cannot trust’ American vaccine policy

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | January 12, 2026
  • Canadian Public Health Association’s Ian Culbert says the U.S. used to be a trustworthy source, but Canada now needs to ‘up our game’ on
Health Minister Marjorie Michel recently told a Canadian news outlet that she “cannot trust” the U.S. on the issue of vaccines. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Little appetite for return to two-party Upper Chamber among former and current Senate leaders

  • Although a return to appointing Liberal members of the Red Chamber could be possible under the current government, PSG Leader Brian Francis says, 'I
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 28, 2025
Progressive Senate Group Leader Brian Francis, left, incoming-Canadian Senators Group leader Gigi Osler, current PSG Senator Peter Harder, and Independent Senator Pierre Dalphond say they want to see the continuation of the independent Senate model. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia

Little appetite for return to two-party Upper Chamber among former and current Senate leaders

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 28, 2025
  • Although a return to appointing Liberal members of the Red Chamber could be possible under the current government, PSG Leader Brian Francis says, 'I

Little appetite for return to two-party Upper Chamber among former and current Senate leaders

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 28, 2025
  • Although a return to appointing Liberal members of the Red Chamber could be possible under the current government, PSG Leader Brian Francis says, 'I
Progressive Senate Group Leader Brian Francis, left, incoming-Canadian Senators Group leader Gigi Osler, current PSG Senator Peter Harder, and Independent Senator Pierre Dalphond say they want to see the continuation of the independent Senate model. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia

PHAC lacks timely national data on children’s vaccination rates as report finds agency is not meeting targets 

  • The agency’s 2024-25 departmental results report uses rates from a 2021 survey. Newer data is available, but that source doesn’t include rates from all
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 23, 2025
Health Minister Marjorie Michel recently told CBC Radio’s “The House” that she's “relying a lot” on the efforts of frontline organizations and the health sciences sector to improve vaccination rates because she doesn’t want to “politicize” the issue. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

PHAC lacks timely national data on children’s vaccination rates as report finds agency is not meeting targets 

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 23, 2025
  • The agency’s 2024-25 departmental results report uses rates from a 2021 survey. Newer data is available, but that source doesn’t include rates from all

PHAC lacks timely national data on children’s vaccination rates as report finds agency is not meeting targets 

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 23, 2025
  • The agency’s 2024-25 departmental results report uses rates from a 2021 survey. Newer data is available, but that source doesn’t include rates from all
Health Minister Marjorie Michel recently told CBC Radio’s “The House” that she's “relying a lot” on the efforts of frontline organizations and the health sciences sector to improve vaccination rates because she doesn’t want to “politicize” the issue. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

PMPRB closes all open drug-pricing investigations before implementing new guidelines on Jan. 1

  • But that doesn’t mean the drug pricing tribunal can’t look at past years’ data to inform future reviews of drug prices, says director general
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 22, 2025
Guillaume Couillard, director general at the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board, says that the high number of investigations in 2023 and 2024 are due to one approach set by the 2022 temporary guidelines, which will be replaced by permanent guidance on Jan. 1, 2026. Photograph courtesy of the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board

PMPRB closes all open drug-pricing investigations before implementing new guidelines on Jan. 1

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 22, 2025
  • But that doesn’t mean the drug pricing tribunal can’t look at past years’ data to inform future reviews of drug prices, says director general

PMPRB closes all open drug-pricing investigations before implementing new guidelines on Jan. 1

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 22, 2025
  • But that doesn’t mean the drug pricing tribunal can’t look at past years’ data to inform future reviews of drug prices, says director general
Guillaume Couillard, director general at the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board, says that the high number of investigations in 2023 and 2024 are due to one approach set by the 2022 temporary guidelines, which will be replaced by permanent guidance on Jan. 1, 2026. Photograph courtesy of the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board

Lack of primary care so ‘chronic’ that patients don’t even talk about it, says Liberal MP and doctor Powlowski

  • Two recent surveys find that a significant portion of Canadians do not have access to a primary care provider as governments across Canada attempt
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 15, 2025
Liberal MP and doctor Marcus Powlowski continues to practice medicine in his riding of Thunder Bay-Rainy River, Ont. ‘I don’t spend a lot of time talking politics when I’m practising medicine. People are happy to see a doctor and I think the lack of primary health care has become so chronic, people don’t usually bother mentioning it,’ he says. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Lack of primary care so ‘chronic’ that patients don’t even talk about it, says Liberal MP and doctor Powlowski

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 15, 2025
  • Two recent surveys find that a significant portion of Canadians do not have access to a primary care provider as governments across Canada attempt

Lack of primary care so ‘chronic’ that patients don’t even talk about it, says Liberal MP and doctor Powlowski

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 15, 2025
  • Two recent surveys find that a significant portion of Canadians do not have access to a primary care provider as governments across Canada attempt
Liberal MP and doctor Marcus Powlowski continues to practice medicine in his riding of Thunder Bay-Rainy River, Ont. ‘I don’t spend a lot of time talking politics when I’m practising medicine. People are happy to see a doctor and I think the lack of primary health care has become so chronic, people don’t usually bother mentioning it,’ he says. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Bill calling for more serious punishment for assaulting first responders not fast-tracked despite Conservative MPs’ efforts

  • The Senate bill is identical to MP Todd Doherty’s bill, which nearly became law but died on the order paper when the election was
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 15, 2025
Conservative addictions critic Todd Doherty, left, Conservative health critic Dan Mazier, and Pierre Poirier, chief of the Ottawa Paramedic Service, at a Dec. 9 press conference about the need to fast-track a bill legislating more serious criminal sentences for assaults against health-care workers and first responders. The Hill Times photograph by Tessie Sanci

Bill calling for more serious punishment for assaulting first responders not fast-tracked despite Conservative MPs’ efforts

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 15, 2025
  • The Senate bill is identical to MP Todd Doherty’s bill, which nearly became law but died on the order paper when the election was

Bill calling for more serious punishment for assaulting first responders not fast-tracked despite Conservative MPs’ efforts

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 15, 2025
  • The Senate bill is identical to MP Todd Doherty’s bill, which nearly became law but died on the order paper when the election was
Conservative addictions critic Todd Doherty, left, Conservative health critic Dan Mazier, and Pierre Poirier, chief of the Ottawa Paramedic Service, at a Dec. 9 press conference about the need to fast-track a bill legislating more serious criminal sentences for assaults against health-care workers and first responders. The Hill Times photograph by Tessie Sanci

Bloc joins push for mandatory labelling of genetically engineered foods

  • ‘We want to know what's on our plate, we want to know what we're buying,’ says agricultural critic Yves Perron about the petition he
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 8, 2025
Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, centre, holds a press conference in the West Block on June 18, 2025, with Bloc MPs Christine Normandin, left, and Yves Perron. The Bloc is throwing its weight behind a move by the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network asking for mandatory labelling on genetically engineered foods. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Bloc joins push for mandatory labelling of genetically engineered foods

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 8, 2025
  • ‘We want to know what's on our plate, we want to know what we're buying,’ says agricultural critic Yves Perron about the petition he

Bloc joins push for mandatory labelling of genetically engineered foods

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 8, 2025
  • ‘We want to know what's on our plate, we want to know what we're buying,’ says agricultural critic Yves Perron about the petition he
Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, centre, holds a press conference in the West Block on June 18, 2025, with Bloc MPs Christine Normandin, left, and Yves Perron. The Bloc is throwing its weight behind a move by the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network asking for mandatory labelling on genetically engineered foods. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

House Health Committee shines spotlight on foreign-funded medical residencies and feds’ role in attracting health-care workers

  • The committee has been studying health care and Canada’s immigration capacity in response to problems with access to care.
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 1, 2025
Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab, left, and Health Minister Marjorie Michel appeared at the House Health Committee on Nov. 18 to explain their respective departments' roles in helping health-care workers move to Canada to help with the health human-resources shortage. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

House Health Committee shines spotlight on foreign-funded medical residencies and feds’ role in attracting health-care workers

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 1, 2025
  • The committee has been studying health care and Canada’s immigration capacity in response to problems with access to care.

House Health Committee shines spotlight on foreign-funded medical residencies and feds’ role in attracting health-care workers

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 1, 2025
  • The committee has been studying health care and Canada’s immigration capacity in response to problems with access to care.
Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab, left, and Health Minister Marjorie Michel appeared at the House Health Committee on Nov. 18 to explain their respective departments' roles in helping health-care workers move to Canada to help with the health human-resources shortage. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

New report recommends making pharmacare permanent with annual funding as progress on bilaterals remains stalled 

  • Interim NDP leader Don Davies says the feds must continue negotiating deals with provinces and territories under the pharmacare law passed last year.
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 1, 2025
Health Minister Marjorie Michel has not produced any bilateral agreements since joining cabinet this past May even though her government has repeatedly committed to protecting pharmacare. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

New report recommends making pharmacare permanent with annual funding as progress on bilaterals remains stalled 

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 1, 2025
  • Interim NDP leader Don Davies says the feds must continue negotiating deals with provinces and territories under the pharmacare law passed last year.

New report recommends making pharmacare permanent with annual funding as progress on bilaterals remains stalled 

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | December 1, 2025
  • Interim NDP leader Don Davies says the feds must continue negotiating deals with provinces and territories under the pharmacare law passed last year.
Health Minister Marjorie Michel has not produced any bilateral agreements since joining cabinet this past May even though her government has repeatedly committed to protecting pharmacare. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Health Canada’s alcohol guidelines are 14 years old, despite new ones issued in 2023

  • With the department's support, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction developed new guidance, which it published in 2023. That information is not
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 24, 2025
Marjorie Michel
Marjorie Michel
The website for Health Canada, led by Health Minister Marjorie Michel, continues to showcase 2011 guidance on alcohol consumption even though it commissioned an update, which is available and public since 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Health Canada’s alcohol guidelines are 14 years old, despite new ones issued in 2023

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 24, 2025
  • With the department's support, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction developed new guidance, which it published in 2023. That information is not

Health Canada’s alcohol guidelines are 14 years old, despite new ones issued in 2023

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 24, 2025
  • With the department's support, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction developed new guidance, which it published in 2023. That information is not
Marjorie Michel
The website for Health Canada, led by Health Minister Marjorie Michel, continues to showcase 2011 guidance on alcohol consumption even though it commissioned an update, which is available and public since 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Don’t forget the kids, health advocates tell feds

  • Children are ‘an afterthought,’ ‘get attention in a crisis, but not beyond,’ say advocates as they push for strategic action and funding for kids’
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 24, 2025
Health Minister Marjorie Michel recently touted ongoing support for child care and early learning, and a national school food program in remarks about how her government supports children. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Don’t forget the kids, health advocates tell feds

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 24, 2025
  • Children are ‘an afterthought,’ ‘get attention in a crisis, but not beyond,’ say advocates as they push for strategic action and funding for kids’

Don’t forget the kids, health advocates tell feds

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 24, 2025
  • Children are ‘an afterthought,’ ‘get attention in a crisis, but not beyond,’ say advocates as they push for strategic action and funding for kids’
Health Minister Marjorie Michel recently touted ongoing support for child care and early learning, and a national school food program in remarks about how her government supports children. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘We will be facing a financial cliff’: advocates concerned about mental health and substance use programs as bilaterals begin to lapse in 2027

  • The 2025 budget didn’t include any new funding for these areas as Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals continue to rely on bilateral agreements negotiated
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 17, 2025
Health Minister Marjorie Michel has emphasized in her public comments that mental health is a priority for her, but that did not result in any new funding for that or programs connected to the toxic drug crisis. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘We will be facing a financial cliff’: advocates concerned about mental health and substance use programs as bilaterals begin to lapse in 2027

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 17, 2025
  • The 2025 budget didn’t include any new funding for these areas as Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals continue to rely on bilateral agreements negotiated

‘We will be facing a financial cliff’: advocates concerned about mental health and substance use programs as bilaterals begin to lapse in 2027

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 17, 2025
  • The 2025 budget didn’t include any new funding for these areas as Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals continue to rely on bilateral agreements negotiated
Health Minister Marjorie Michel has emphasized in her public comments that mental health is a priority for her, but that did not result in any new funding for that or programs connected to the toxic drug crisis. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Losing measles elimination status makes Canada a ‘pariah,’ says Liberal MP

  • Disinformation and weak access to health care are playing a part in measles outbreaks, according to some MPs.
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 15, 2025
Liberal MP Hedy Fry, a physician, says the return of measles to Canada is a 'ridiculous' situation. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Losing measles elimination status makes Canada a ‘pariah,’ says Liberal MP

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 15, 2025
  • Disinformation and weak access to health care are playing a part in measles outbreaks, according to some MPs.

Losing measles elimination status makes Canada a ‘pariah,’ says Liberal MP

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 15, 2025
  • Disinformation and weak access to health care are playing a part in measles outbreaks, according to some MPs.
Liberal MP Hedy Fry, a physician, says the return of measles to Canada is a 'ridiculous' situation. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Feds focused on ‘streamlining’ programs, says health minister after budget fails to provide new money for mental health or substance use

  • Health Minister Marjorie Michel says that funds remain available through existing bilateral agreements and the Emergency Treatment Fund.
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 10, 2025
Health Minister Marjorie Michel at an announcement in Ottawa on Oct. 2, 2025. "We are focusing on streamlining some programs,” said Michel about the absence of new mental health and addictions support program money in the budget. “But, if you look, we protected health care [through the] transfers.” The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds focused on ‘streamlining’ programs, says health minister after budget fails to provide new money for mental health or substance use

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 10, 2025
  • Health Minister Marjorie Michel says that funds remain available through existing bilateral agreements and the Emergency Treatment Fund.

Feds focused on ‘streamlining’ programs, says health minister after budget fails to provide new money for mental health or substance use

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 10, 2025
  • Health Minister Marjorie Michel says that funds remain available through existing bilateral agreements and the Emergency Treatment Fund.
Health Minister Marjorie Michel at an announcement in Ottawa on Oct. 2, 2025. "We are focusing on streamlining some programs,” said Michel about the absence of new mental health and addictions support program money in the budget. “But, if you look, we protected health care [through the] transfers.” The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Winners and losers you might have missed in the federal budget

  • Prime Minister Mark Carney plans to run a deficit in the tens of billions of dollars for years to come, but despite his warning
News | BY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA, MARLO GLASS, ELEANOR WAND, TESSIE SANCI | November 5, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, and Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne presented their first federal budget on Nov. 4. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Winners and losers you might have missed in the federal budget

News | BY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA, MARLO GLASS, ELEANOR WAND, TESSIE SANCI | November 5, 2025
  • Prime Minister Mark Carney plans to run a deficit in the tens of billions of dollars for years to come, but despite his warning

Winners and losers you might have missed in the federal budget

News | BY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA, MARLO GLASS, ELEANOR WAND, TESSIE SANCI | November 5, 2025
  • Prime Minister Mark Carney plans to run a deficit in the tens of billions of dollars for years to come, but despite his warning
Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, and Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne presented their first federal budget on Nov. 4. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada reacts to the budget

  • Plus, the Liberal benches gain an extra member, and the Supreme Court begins a hearing on whether MPs can limit their own free speech
Feature | BY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA, TESSIE SANCI, ELEANOR WAND, MARLO GLASS | November 5, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, and Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne will start selling their budget in earnest to the Canadian public today. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada reacts to the budget

Feature | BY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA, TESSIE SANCI, ELEANOR WAND, MARLO GLASS | November 5, 2025
  • Plus, the Liberal benches gain an extra member, and the Supreme Court begins a hearing on whether MPs can limit their own free speech

Canada reacts to the budget

Feature | BY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA, TESSIE SANCI, ELEANOR WAND, MARLO GLASS | November 5, 2025
  • Plus, the Liberal benches gain an extra member, and the Supreme Court begins a hearing on whether MPs can limit their own free speech
Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, and Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne will start selling their budget in earnest to the Canadian public today. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney government promises to spend $81.8-billion over five years on defence

  • The funding boost is a part of Canada’s commitment to meet spending targets set by NATO.
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 4, 2025
Defence Minister David McGuinty’s department is one of the few not expected to cut spending by 7.5 per cent in 2026-27, and instead will meet a two-per-cent target. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney government promises to spend $81.8-billion over five years on defence

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 4, 2025
  • The funding boost is a part of Canada’s commitment to meet spending targets set by NATO.

Carney government promises to spend $81.8-billion over five years on defence

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 4, 2025
  • The funding boost is a part of Canada’s commitment to meet spending targets set by NATO.
Defence Minister David McGuinty’s department is one of the few not expected to cut spending by 7.5 per cent in 2026-27, and instead will meet a two-per-cent target. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney Liberals focus on health infrastructure, but no new funding for mental health, substance use programs in budget

  • A number of health programs—including the Emergency Treatment Fund—will expire in 2026-27, delaying decisions for some programs into the future.
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 4, 2025
Federal Minister of Health Marjorie Michel. The federal budget has little to no mention of investments for health initiatives that have been a focus in previous years such as mental health, pharmacare, and substance use and addictions.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney Liberals focus on health infrastructure, but no new funding for mental health, substance use programs in budget

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 4, 2025
  • A number of health programs—including the Emergency Treatment Fund—will expire in 2026-27, delaying decisions for some programs into the future.

Carney Liberals focus on health infrastructure, but no new funding for mental health, substance use programs in budget

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 4, 2025
  • A number of health programs—including the Emergency Treatment Fund—will expire in 2026-27, delaying decisions for some programs into the future.
Federal Minister of Health Marjorie Michel. The federal budget has little to no mention of investments for health initiatives that have been a focus in previous years such as mental health, pharmacare, and substance use and addictions.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada could have access to more than 10,000 doctors if licensing were less complicated, House Health Committee hears

  • The House Health Committee is looking into the links between immigration and health human resources shortages. But Liberal MP Mark Powlowski says the Conservatives'
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 3, 2025
The House health committee study was proposed by Conservative health critic Dan Mazier, left, who says there’s a ‘disconnect’ between immigration and the health care system. But Liberal MP Marcus Powlowski says the Conservatives’ framing of the issue ‘ticks’ him off and that the health-care system relies on immigrants who work within it. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Canada could have access to more than 10,000 doctors if licensing were less complicated, House Health Committee hears

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 3, 2025
  • The House Health Committee is looking into the links between immigration and health human resources shortages. But Liberal MP Mark Powlowski says the Conservatives'

Canada could have access to more than 10,000 doctors if licensing were less complicated, House Health Committee hears

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | November 3, 2025
  • The House Health Committee is looking into the links between immigration and health human resources shortages. But Liberal MP Mark Powlowski says the Conservatives'
The House health committee study was proposed by Conservative health critic Dan Mazier, left, who says there’s a ‘disconnect’ between immigration and the health care system. But Liberal MP Marcus Powlowski says the Conservatives’ framing of the issue ‘ticks’ him off and that the health-care system relies on immigrants who work within it. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
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Liberals to push ahead with pharmacare, but program’s fate under Conservatives is unclear

  • Health Minister Kamal Khera highlighted Yukon signing onto the pharmacare deal since Mark Carney became prime minister, saying the Liberal government 'will continue to
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | March 26, 2025
Kamal Khera
Kamal Khera
Health Minister Kamal Khera said that the Liberal Party will continue to focus on delivering diabetes medication and oral contraception that is 'changing lives.' Bilateral deals for pharmacare funding have now been signed by four provinces and territories. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Liberals to push ahead with pharmacare, but program’s fate under Conservatives is unclear

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | March 26, 2025
  • Health Minister Kamal Khera highlighted Yukon signing onto the pharmacare deal since Mark Carney became prime minister, saying the Liberal government 'will continue to

Liberals to push ahead with pharmacare, but program’s fate under Conservatives is unclear

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | March 26, 2025
  • Health Minister Kamal Khera highlighted Yukon signing onto the pharmacare deal since Mark Carney became prime minister, saying the Liberal government 'will continue to
Kamal Khera
Health Minister Kamal Khera said that the Liberal Party will continue to focus on delivering diabetes medication and oral contraception that is 'changing lives.' Bilateral deals for pharmacare funding have now been signed by four provinces and territories. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘One-off funding announcements’ not the way to fix homelessness and substance use, says Burlington mayor

  • A group representing Ontario’s big cities is calling on the province to appoint a minister to lead a plan to tackle homelessness, mental health,
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | August 16, 2024
Ya’ara Saks
Ya’ara Saks
Mental Health and Addictions Minister Ya’ara Saks did not reply to a request for comment from Hill Times Health about calls from Ontario’s big city mayors for Ottawa to step up on homelessness, mental health, and substance use. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘One-off funding announcements’ not the way to fix homelessness and substance use, says Burlington mayor

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | August 16, 2024
  • A group representing Ontario’s big cities is calling on the province to appoint a minister to lead a plan to tackle homelessness, mental health,

‘One-off funding announcements’ not the way to fix homelessness and substance use, says Burlington mayor

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | August 16, 2024
  • A group representing Ontario’s big cities is calling on the province to appoint a minister to lead a plan to tackle homelessness, mental health,
Ya’ara Saks
Mental Health and Addictions Minister Ya’ara Saks did not reply to a request for comment from Hill Times Health about calls from Ontario’s big city mayors for Ottawa to step up on homelessness, mental health, and substance use. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Pharmacare bill and Liberal messaging at odds, confusing stakeholders on vision for ‘single-payer’ system

  • The language in the pharmacare bill is ‘fatally flawed,’ according to pharmacare expert Dr. Steve Morgan.
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | June 8, 2024
Mark Holland
Mark Holland
Despite the pharmacare bill referencing only a ‘single-payer’ program, Health Minister Mark Holland says people with private insurance for contraceptives and diabetes-related pharmaceuticals can keep their plans following the implementation of national pharmacare. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Pharmacare bill and Liberal messaging at odds, confusing stakeholders on vision for ‘single-payer’ system

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | June 8, 2024
  • The language in the pharmacare bill is ‘fatally flawed,’ according to pharmacare expert Dr. Steve Morgan.

Pharmacare bill and Liberal messaging at odds, confusing stakeholders on vision for ‘single-payer’ system

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | June 8, 2024
  • The language in the pharmacare bill is ‘fatally flawed,’ according to pharmacare expert Dr. Steve Morgan.
Mark Holland
Despite the pharmacare bill referencing only a ‘single-payer’ program, Health Minister Mark Holland says people with private insurance for contraceptives and diabetes-related pharmaceuticals can keep their plans following the implementation of national pharmacare. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canadian access to pork insulin at risk if Health Canada adopts 1,400 per cent fee increase, says sole supplier

  • This story is an exclusive from Hill Times Research Health. To find out more, register for a free trial now. A Health Canada decision
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | August 13, 2021
Health Minister Patty Hajdu is facing calls to stop her department from charging Wockhardt UK the standard base fee for importing medicines into Canada. The company was previously subject to a heavily discounted fee to account for its low volume of sales of pork insulin in Canada. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canadian access to pork insulin at risk if Health Canada adopts 1,400 per cent fee increase, says sole supplier

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | August 13, 2021
  • This story is an exclusive from Hill Times Research Health. To find out more, register for a free trial now. A Health Canada decision

Canadian access to pork insulin at risk if Health Canada adopts 1,400 per cent fee increase, says sole supplier

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | August 13, 2021
  • This story is an exclusive from Hill Times Research Health. To find out more, register for a free trial now. A Health Canada decision
Health Minister Patty Hajdu is facing calls to stop her department from charging Wockhardt UK the standard base fee for importing medicines into Canada. The company was previously subject to a heavily discounted fee to account for its low volume of sales of pork insulin in Canada. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Health Canada’s COVID-19 task force ‘likely working night and day’ as bureaucrats across departments hammer out policy response

  • The global nature of the COVID-19 pandemic is demonstrated by a “whole-of-government” approach that has captured bureaucrats from many federal departments to form Health
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | April 13, 2020
Health Minister Patty Hajdu provides an update on the government’s COVID-19 response in the West Block on April 2. Behind the scenes, a task force of bureaucrats is working at a ‘hectic’ pace to provide the policy backbone. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Health Canada’s COVID-19 task force ‘likely working night and day’ as bureaucrats across departments hammer out policy response

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | April 13, 2020
  • The global nature of the COVID-19 pandemic is demonstrated by a “whole-of-government” approach that has captured bureaucrats from many federal departments to form Health

Health Canada’s COVID-19 task force ‘likely working night and day’ as bureaucrats across departments hammer out policy response

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | April 13, 2020
  • The global nature of the COVID-19 pandemic is demonstrated by a “whole-of-government” approach that has captured bureaucrats from many federal departments to form Health
Health Minister Patty Hajdu provides an update on the government’s COVID-19 response in the West Block on April 2. Behind the scenes, a task force of bureaucrats is working at a ‘hectic’ pace to provide the policy backbone. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s chief public health officers take centre stage amid COVID-19 crisis

  • Chief public health officers across the country now have a public profile never before seen in this country, thanks to their position as the
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | March 27, 2020
Dr. Theresa Tam and her deputy, Dr. Howard Njoo, have become recurring fixtures in Canadians' lives, thanks to their public-facing role in communicating the feds' response to COVID-19 pandemic. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s chief public health officers take centre stage amid COVID-19 crisis

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | March 27, 2020
  • Chief public health officers across the country now have a public profile never before seen in this country, thanks to their position as the

Canada’s chief public health officers take centre stage amid COVID-19 crisis

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | March 27, 2020
  • Chief public health officers across the country now have a public profile never before seen in this country, thanks to their position as the
Dr. Theresa Tam and her deputy, Dr. Howard Njoo, have become recurring fixtures in Canadians' lives, thanks to their public-facing role in communicating the feds' response to COVID-19 pandemic. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Millennials influence parties’ key policy promises, outreach efforts

  • With millennials making up about one-third of Canadian voters, most political parties have been eager to develop policy platforms and appealing messaging to entice
News | BY TESSIE SANCI | October 21, 2019
Thousands of protesters, many of them young Canadians not yet old enough to vote, took to the streets of Ottawa on Sept. 27 to call on political leaders to do more to curb greenhouse gas emissions. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Millennials influence parties’ key policy promises, outreach efforts

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | October 21, 2019
  • With millennials making up about one-third of Canadian voters, most political parties have been eager to develop policy platforms and appealing messaging to entice

Millennials influence parties’ key policy promises, outreach efforts

News | BY TESSIE SANCI | October 21, 2019
  • With millennials making up about one-third of Canadian voters, most political parties have been eager to develop policy platforms and appealing messaging to entice
Thousands of protesters, many of them young Canadians not yet old enough to vote, took to the streets of Ottawa on Sept. 27 to call on political leaders to do more to curb greenhouse gas emissions. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

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