• Health care, affordability and the economy are the priorities in N.B. throne speech

  Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
  Date: 2026-10-20 16:31:56.0
  Tags: [New Brunswick, Healthcare, Affordability, Economy, Housing, Governance]

  The New Brunswick government's throne speech, read by Lt.-Gov. Louise Imbeault in Fredericton, outlines priorities centered on health care, affordability, and economic growth for the coming year. Premier Susan Holt's government announced that the opening of 30 new collaborative care clinics is ahead of schedule for completion by the end of 2027, alongside plans to name a mental health advocate and launch a health and long-term care workforce strategy. Additionally, the province is creating a trade diversification plan to target high-potential export markets outside the United States and is committing increased funding toward new housing infrastructure.

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• Ontario Clarifies Longstanding Out-of-Country Drug Funding Process

  Source: Ontario - Ministry of Health
  Date: 2026-10-06 21:00:00.0
  Tags: [Ontario, Healthcare, Affordability, Governance, Finance]

  The Government of Ontario has amended Regulation 552 of the Health Insurance Act to align with its longstanding out-of-country drug funding policy, restricting out-of-country funding to treatments where the drug and administration are publicly funded in Ontario, temporarily unavailable locally, and necessary to prevent death or irreversible tissue damage. According to the Ministry of Health led by Minister Sylvia Jones, the regulatory clarification aims to prevent global pharmaceutical companies from bypassing direct price negotiations with the province and avoids potential health-care system cost increases of up to $5.2 billion annually alongside $170 million in out-of-country treatment requests. This follows a recent Ontario Divisional Court decision concerning out-of-country drug funding, which the government is evaluating alongside options such as an appeal or a negotiated resolution with the applicant.

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• Cost of living, ‘opioid crisis’ paramount for opposition MLAs as Yukon legislature returns

  Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
  Date: 2026-10-02 11:00:00.0
  Tags: [National, Governance, Healthcare, Affordability, Energy, Mining]

  As the Yukon Legislative Assembly begins its fall sitting, opposition leaders Kate White of the NDP and interim Liberal leader Debra-Leigh Reti are pressing Premier Currie Dixon's majority government on the rising cost of living, regional healthcare gaps, and the territory's opioid crisis. Premier Dixon is seeking federal intervention to raise the Yukon's debt cap from $1.2 billion to $3 billion to fund major energy and health projects. Additionally, the territorial government reported that 52 out of 56 recommendations from the Independent Review Board following the 2024 Eagle gold mine heap leach disaster have been implemented, with the remaining four slated for completion by spring.

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