Province Expands Team-Based Care Model

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Source: Saskatchewan - Government News
Date: 2026-10-30 23:30:00.0
Tags: [Saskatchewan, Healthcare]

The Government of Saskatchewan is expanding its team-based primary health care model, known as a Patient Medical Home, under the Patients First Health Care Plan to ensure resident access by the end of 2028. Recent provincial budgets have allocated $10.8 million supporting 22 initiatives within the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA). Additionally, the Innovation Fund has awarded funding to 27 family physician-led clinics in partnership with the Saskatchewan Medical Association since 2024. Furthermore, a $1 million investment in the 2026-27 fiscal year is funding 11 approved Ministry-contracted nurse practitioners under the Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Contract Program to hire support staff and form primary care teams.

Boil-water advisory lifted in Sachs Harbour, N.W.T., after nearly 9 months

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Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-30 20:36:49.0
Tags: [National, Infrastructure, Healthcare]

The Northwest Territories' chief environmental health officer has lifted a nearly nine-month boil-water advisory for Sachs Harbour, originally issued on February 9 due to frozen intake pipes, truck-fill lines, and associated damage to the municipal water system. The Hamlet of Sachs Harbour and the territorial Department of Municipal and Community Affairs resolved the infrastructure failures, approving a new water treatment plant that is now functioning normally. The Department of Health and Social Services recommends that residents and businesses flush water systems by running faucets for one minute and clean water-using equipment such as coffee makers and ice-making machines. Officials confirmed that no illnesses were associated with the drinking water during the advisory period.

Nova Scotia weighs risks of online gambling as other provinces expand access

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Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
Date: 2026-10-30 20:11:56.0
Tags: [Nova Scotia, Healthcare, Public Safety, Governance]

The Nova Scotia government, through Finance Minister John Lohr, is evaluating whether to expand government-regulated online gambling after seeing Ontario and Alberta open up their markets in 2022 and July respectively, currently relying solely on the Atlantic Lottery Corporation for authorized platforms. Opposition leaders, including NDP Leader Claudia Chender and Interim Liberal Leader Iain Rankin, have cautioned that the province must proceed very carefully and conduct public health risk assessments first. This comes as studies from institutions like the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health highlight significant concerns regarding online gambling harms, noting that Ontario emergency department visits for gambling disorders doubled following expansion and high school youth participation rates rose from one per cent in 2019 to nine per cent.

Elders' home, transitional housing among Nunavik priorities for new federal funds

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Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-30 16:34:17.0
Tags: [National, Quebec, Housing, Indigenous, Healthcare, Seniors]

The Government of Canada announced $130 million in funding for Inuit treaty organizations, with more than $32 million allocated to Makivvik to support regional priorities in Nunavik. Makivvik plans to put the funds toward a new elders' home in Kuujjuaq, Quebec, and transitional housing in Montreal, following the relocation of 13 elders due to structural issues at a previous facility. Additional allocations from the $130 million package include $16.9 million for the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, $15.5 million for the Nunatsiavut government, and $65 million for Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated under the federal Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Fund.

Experts, Liberal MP hope for full ban on sports betting ads as advocates cite mental health decline

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Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-30 14:50:39.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Alberta, Quebec, Healthcare, Social Services, Governance]

Bill S-211, introduced in May 2025 by Senator Marty Deacon and sponsored in the House by MP Bardish Chagger, is currently before the House standing committee on Canadian heritage to restrict sports betting ads across Canada. Supporters including Liberal MP Michael Coteau and public policy think-tank Cardus cite a University of Toronto study showing gambling-related emergency room visits nearly doubled in Ontario, alongside a 161 per cent increase in helpline calls among males aged 15-24 since single-game betting was legalized in 2021. Provincial officials from Ontario, Alberta, and Quebec, along with the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, have raised concerns regarding provincial jurisdiction, overlapping regulations, and economic impacts on commercial operators like FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM.

New Metro Child Care Spaces to Support Recruitment and Retention in Health Care

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Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-30 12:40:16.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Healthcare, Education, Social Services, Labour]

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is investing $1 million through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement to fund up to 72 new child care spaces at the Unity Health Centre on Stavanger Drive in St. John's, operated by YWCA St. John's. Announced by Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Paul Dinn and Health and Community Services Minister Joedy Wall, the project provides priority access to all health care professionals to support workforce recruitment and retention. NL Health Services and YWCA St. John's endorsed the initiative, noting it will particularly assist workers requiring shift work and support gender equity in the labour market.

Canada Dental Care Plan working but costing more than expected: auditor general

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-29 14:50:35.0
Tags: [National, Healthcare, Affordability, Finance, Social Services]

A report by Auditor General Karen Hogan found that Health Canada's Canadian Dental Care Plan exceeded its initial budget commitments by $1.1 billion during the 2024–25 and 2025–26 fiscal years, with an anticipated further shortfall of $2.4 billion by 2032 due to higher-than-anticipated claim payments per member. While the program successfully reduced average household out-of-pocket dental expenses from $536 in 2023 to $264 for users, the audit revealed persistent public confusion, with 560,000 members (16 per cent of those accessing services in 2025) receiving full coverage, while dental providers spent roughly an hour a day addressing coverage ambiguities and call centres struggled to meet quality metrics. In response, Health Canada engaged the Office of the Chief Actuary to provide quarterly actuarial forecasts to improve claim payment projections and financial planning.

Laurae Kloschinsky appointed CEO of Health P.E.I. months after taking on interim role

Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
Date: 2026-10-28 22:41:19.0
Tags: [Prince Edward Island, Healthcare, Governance]

Health P.E.I. has officially appointed Laurae Kloschinsky as its permanent chief executive officer, following her tenure as interim CEO since March 11 following the departure of former CEO Melanie Fraser. Kloschinsky, who holds a bachelor of science in pharmacy from the University of Saskatchewan and formerly served as assistant deputy minister of mental health and addictions for the P.E.I. Department of Health and Wellness, was confirmed by Health P.E.I. chair Dr. Richard Wedge and Health and Wellness Minister Cory Deagle. Her appointment aims to provide leadership continuity and focus on workforce support, patient care access, and health system strengthening across the province.

Saskatchewan Monthly Construction Update - October 2026 Edition

Source: Saskatchewan - Government News
Date: 2026-10-28 20:00:00.0
Tags: [Saskatchewan, Infrastructure, Healthcare, Education, Seniors]

The Government of Saskatchewan released its October 2026 Monthly Construction Update, highlighting progress on major provincial infrastructure projects including the Regina Specialized Long-Term Care Home, the newly completed Weyburn General Hospital, and renovations to Saskatchewan Polytechnic's Regina campus. The 30 per cent completion milestone was celebrated for the Regina Specialized Long-Term Care Home—a 240-bed, five-story facility spanning nearly 22,000 square metres scheduled for completion in fall 2028. Additionally, a ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the completion of the Weyburn General Hospital to begin welcoming patients on November 1, 2026, while Saskatchewan Polytechnic completed eighth-floor renovations to house a new high-fidelity simulation laboratory for nursing education.

Fraud, breach of trust and money laundering subject of RCMP Alberta health care procurement probe: court filing

Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-28 17:11:45.0
Tags: [Alberta, Healthcare, Justice, Public Safety, Governance]

An Ontario Crown prosecutor's letter filed in Athana Mentzelopoulos's $1.7-million wrongful dismissal lawsuit against the Alberta government revealed that the RCMP are investigating Alberta Health Services procurement practices for potential fraud, breach of trust, and money laundering. Mentzelopoulos, the former CEO of Alberta Health Services, claims she was fired after investigating inflated contracts for private clinic surgeries and conflicts of interest involving Sam Mraiche's medical supply company, MHCare. While opposition NDP leader Naheed Nenshi renewed calls for a public inquiry, Premier Danielle Smith rejected the demand, citing an earlier report by retired judge Raymond Wyant.

Le gouvernement du Québec souhaite mettre fin au changement d'heure

Source: Quebec - Fil de presse gouvernemental
Date: 2026-10-28 14:22:30.0
Tags: [Quebec, Justice, Healthcare, Governance]

Quebec Minister of Justice Marie-Claude Sarrazin announced the government's intention to make the upcoming time change the last one in the province. The decision follows public consultations and studies highlighting the negative impacts of time changes on mental and physical health. The initiative represents a significant regulatory and governance shift for the province regarding standard time observation.

2026 Speech From the Throne will Keep Saskatchewan Strong and Steady

Source: Saskatchewan - Government News
Date: 2026-10-28 02:09:00.0
Tags: [Saskatchewan, Economy, Healthcare, Justice, Infrastructure, Governance]

The Government of Saskatchewan delivered its 2026 Speech from the Throne, outlining a legislative agenda centered on maintaining economic stability amid global market uncertainties and highlighting over $100 billion in major projects currently underway. Premier Scott Moe's administration announced plans to introduce several new pieces of legislation, including the Safer Homes for Seniors Act, the Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) Additional Safeguards Act prohibiting MAID for minors and sole mental illness conditions, and the Protection of Economic Infrastructure Act to prevent disruptions to critical supply chains. Additional proposed laws include the Opioids Damages Act to recover health care costs from manufacturers, the Prevention of Deceptive AI Act, and amendments to The Traffic Safety Act and The Enforcement of Maintenance Orders Act. Furthermore, the government committed to raising the provincial income tax-free threshold for a family of four above the current $65,000 level in the upcoming spring budget.

P.E.I.'s mobile mental health program extended for another year

Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
Date: 2026-10-27 21:00:51.0
Tags: [Prince Edward Island, Healthcare, Social Services, Finance]

The federal and provincial governments have renewed funding for Prince Edward Island's mobile mental health program, extending the initiative through March 31, 2028. The program, operationally managed by Medavie Health Services, allows Islanders experiencing a mental health crisis to call and receive care from specialized professionals or dispatched mobile teams. Earlier in the year, provincial Health and Wellness Minister Cory Deagle noted that Ottawa was cutting over $29 million in health-care funding to P.E.I., which included $2.6 million for mobile mental health units and student well-being teams previously slated to end in March 2027. CUPE Local 3324 president Jason Woodbury praised the extension, noting the service helps reduce wait times for ground ambulances and emergency rooms.

Amendments to the Social Workers Act Will Strengthen Public Safety

Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-27 17:55:46.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Healthcare, Public Safety, Governance]

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, through Minister of Health and Community Services Joedy Wall, has introduced amendments to the Social Workers Act to establish a new Registered Clinical Social Worker category for private practice. Developed in collaboration with the Newfoundland and Labrador College of Social Workers, the designation requires a Master of Social Work, proven clinical experience, and a recognized clinical exam. A transition plan is being formulated for existing private practice social workers who do not yet meet the new standard. Additional amendments clarify that social work students on field placements do not require registration, remove redundant honorary membership provisions, mandate the college board to appoint an auditor, and incorporate gender-neutral language.

Provincial Government Expanding Mental Health and Addictions Treatment and Supports Throughout the Province

Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-27 16:25:55.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Healthcare, Social Services]

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced mental health and addictions system expansions under Budget 2026, highlighted by a $3 million investment to hire additional mental health professionals. Specific facility updates include four dedicated short-stay beds and six inpatient beds at the Humberwood Treatment Centre in Corner Brook, alongside recruitment for mobile crisis response teams in Carbonear, Burin, Clarenville, and Sheshatshiu. Furthermore, the province is expanding the Doorways program into schools, supporting Choices For Youth in developing Integrated Youth Services hubs, increasing funding for community partners like the Eating Disorder Foundation, funding sober living homes, and releasing the Hope and Healing Guide for suicide loss survivors.

Ottawa tables new MAID legislation, excluding people suffering solely from mental illness

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-27 14:54:38.0
Tags: [National, Healthcare, Justice]

Federal Justice Minister Sean Fraser and Health Minister Marjorie Michel tabled new legislation in Parliament amending the Criminal Code to indefinitely exclude individuals suffering solely from mental illness from accessing Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID). The legislation also establishes statutory criteria for advance requests for MAID, requiring patients to be in an advanced state of irreversible decline in capability and experiencing enduring and intolerable physical or psychological suffering that cannot be relieved through reasonable means before losing the capacity to consent.

Federal government to introduce bill restricting MAID for mental illness

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-27 12:14:26.0
Tags: [National, Healthcare, Justice]

Federal Justice Minister Sean Fraser and Health Minister Marjorie Michel announced the introduction of a new bill to amend Canada's medical assistance in dying (MAID) legislation. The proposed legislation permanently bars individuals whose sole underlying condition is a mental illness from accessing MAID, following recommendations from a special parliamentary committee that reported in June. Additionally, the bill decriminalizes advance requests under the Criminal Code, allowing individuals diagnosed with degenerative conditions such as dementia or ALS to request an assisted death prior to losing the capacity to consent, subject to rigorous safeguards.

C-41 (45-1) - Medical Assistance in Dying Safeguards Act

Source: Parliament of Canada (LEGISinfo)
Date: 2026-10-27 10:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Healthcare, Justice, Governance]

The Minister of Justice introduced Bill C-41, titled the Medical Assistance in Dying Safeguards Act, in the House of Commons during the 1st session of the 45th Parliament on October 27, 2026. The legislation proposes amendments to the Criminal Code and related statutes concerning medical assistance in dying (MAID). The bill is currently at the second reading stage in the House of Commons following its first reading and introduction.

Saskatchewan Launches New Respiratory Therapy Training Program

Source: Saskatchewan - Government News
Date: 2026-10-27 02:00:00.0
Tags: [Saskatchewan, Healthcare, Education, Labour]

The Government of Saskatchewan has invested over $8 million to develop and launch the province's first-ever Respiratory Therapy Advanced Diploma program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic's Regina campus. The funding supported renovations to create two new specialized laboratories and purchase modern equipment for the facility. The inaugural cohort welcomed its full capacity of 25 students this fall, who will complete a two-and-a-half-year program including hands-on clinical placements within Saskatchewan health care settings. This initiative is part of the broader Health Human Resource Action Plan and Patients First Health Care Plan to address provincial workforce shortages.

Construction of the New Grenfell Long-Term Care Home Reaches Halfway Point

Source: Saskatchewan - Government News
Date: 2026-10-26 22:30:00.0
Tags: [Saskatchewan, Healthcare, Seniors, Infrastructure]

Construction of the new 33-bed Grenfell Long-Term Care Home in Grenfell, Saskatchewan, has reached 50 per cent completion. Led by contractor PCL Construction Management Inc., the project is backed by a nearly $40 million government investment alongside $4.9 million contributed by the Town of Grenfell, the Grenfell and District Health Foundation, and surrounding rural municipalities. The facility will feature two spa tub rooms, a commercial kitchen, common living and dining areas, administrative spaces, a maintenance garage, and parking stalls, with substantial construction completion anticipated in 2027 to be owned and operated by the Saskatchewan Health Authority.