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3 people running for Inuvik Twin Lakes MLA
Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-31 02:40:44.0
Tags: [National, Governance, Healthcare]Three candidates—Mataya Gillis, Jake Jellema, and Sallie Ross—are running in the November 24 byelection for the Northwest Territories legislative seat representing Inuvik Twin Lakes. The seat was vacated following the September resignation of former MLA and health minister Lesa Semmler. Subsequently, MLA Denny Rodgers of Inuvik Boot Lake was appointed as the new health and social services minister.
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Experts, Liberal MP hope for full ban on sports betting ads as advocates cite mental health decline
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.
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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.
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N.W.T. MLAs decry lengthy medical travel flights for seniors
Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-23 17:34:19.0
Tags: [National, Healthcare, Seniors, Transportation, Governance]Members of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, including Frame Lake MLA Julian Morse and Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins, decried the physical toll that lengthy, indirect medical travel flights lasting up to six hours to Edmonton take on seniors and elders. Lawmakers raised concerns that doctor-recommended requests for shorter flight exemptions are frequently denied by the Department of Health and Social Services, despite over 23,000 people utilizing the medical travel service annually at a significant taxpayer cost. Newly appointed Health Minister Denny Rodgers stated he is willing to review all aspects of the policy but declined to promise any immediate new exemptions as the government enters the final year of its term.
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Denny Rodgers named N.W.T.’s new health and social services minister
Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-21 23:04:42.0
Tags: [National, Healthcare, Social Services, Governance]Denny Rodgers, MLA for Inuvik-Boot Lake, was appointed as the Northwest Territories' new Minister of Health and Social Services by Premier R.J. Simpson following an acclamation to cabinet in the N.W.T. Legislative Assembly. Rodgers assumes the portfolio previously vacated by former minister and Inuvik Twin Lakes MLA Lesa Semmler following her sudden resignation in mid-September. Lucy Kuptana, who managed the department on an interim basis, will return solely to her duties as Minister for Housing N.W.T. and Minister responsible for the Status of Women. Meanwhile, a by-election to fill Semmler's vacant legislative seat in Inuvik Twin Lakes is scheduled for November 24.
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C-234 (45-1) - Living Donor Recognition Medal Act
Source: Parliament of Canada (LEGISinfo)
Date: 2026-10-21 10:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Healthcare, Governance]Private Member's Bill C-234, titled the Living Donor Recognition Medal Act, was introduced in the House of Commons by Conservative Member of Parliament Ziad Aboultaif (Edmonton Manning) on September 22, 2025. The legislation establishes a formal federal medal to recognize the contributions of living organ donors in Canada. Following its passage through the House of Commons on April 22, 2026, and second reading in the Senate, the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights reviewed the bill and presented a report without amendment on October 21, 2026.
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C-224 (45-1) - An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (natural health products)
Source: Parliament of Canada (LEGISinfo)
Date: 2026-10-21 09:35:12.0
Tags: [National, Healthcare, Governance]Private Member's Bill C-224 (45th Parliament, 1st session), sponsored by Conservative MP Blaine Calkins to amend the Food and Drugs Act regarding natural health products, has advanced through the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health (HESA). The committee completed its consideration and presented its report with amendments to the House of Commons on October 21, 2026. The legislation follows previous efforts from the 44th Parliament, specifically Bill C-368, aiming to modify regulatory oversight for natural health products under Health Canada.
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Advance voting opens as experts debate meaning of Alberta referendum results
Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-12 18:08:35.0
Tags: [Alberta, National, Governance, Immigration, Healthcare, Education, Energy]Advance voting has opened for the 2026 Alberta Referendum, featuring 10 distinct questions covering immigration, constitutional matters, healthcare and education fees for non-permanent residents, Senate abolition, and a final question on holding a binding referendum to separate from Canada. Elections Alberta reported receiving 650,000 special ballot requests and hired over 44,000 election workers to manage turnout. Meanwhile, the Government of Canada designated the Pacific Link pipeline a project of national interest, and Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized federal unity in opposition to provincial separation.
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Inuvik’s Crystal Lennie appointed to national health council
Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-10 10:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Healthcare, Indigenous, Governance]Crystal Lennie of Inuvik has been appointed as one of 16 members to the governing council of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the federal agency overseeing national health research funding. Appointed by Health Minister Marjorie Michel, Lennie brings northern and Inuit perspectives to the council, aiming to leverage community-led data and Indigenous knowledge to direct policy changes regarding food security, homelessness, and housing. Lennie has extensive prior experience with national bodies including Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami's National Inuit Committee on Health and the Inuit Public Health Task Group.
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Yukon to extend presumptive cancer coverage to wildland firefighters
Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-07 00:23:01.0
Tags: [National, Labour, Healthcare, Public Safety, Governance]The Yukon government tabled a bill in the Legislative Assembly to amend the territory's Workers' Safety and Compensation Act to extend presumptive cancer coverage to wildland firefighters. Previously, only full-time and part-time structural firefighters were covered under the legislation for 19 types of cancer. Under the proposed statutory amendments introduced by Minister Laura Lang, wildland firefighters diagnosed with listed cancers and meeting eligibility requirements will have their conditions legally presumed to be work-related, streamlining the claims process.
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Government to reveal next steps for medically assisted dying, justice minister says
Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-06 20:04:32.0
Tags: [National, Healthcare, Justice, Governance]Federal Minister of Justice Sean Fraser announced that the Liberal government will reveal its planned legislative path forward regarding medical assistance in dying (MAID) for individuals whose sole underlying condition is mental illness. This follows an 88-page report released in June by a special parliamentary committee recommending that the government indefinitely exclude mental illness as a sole eligibility criterion for MAID under the Criminal Code. Unless the federal government intervenes or passes new legislation, MAID eligibility is currently scheduled to automatically expand to cover mental illness in March of next year.
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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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S-202 (45-1) - An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (warning label on alcoholic beverages)
Source: Parliament of Canada (LEGISinfo)
Date: 2026-10-01 10:20:00.0
Tags: [National, Healthcare, Public Safety, Governance]Bill S-202, titled An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (warning label on alcoholic beverages), was sponsored by Senator Patrick Brazeau in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. The Senate Public Bill progressed through committee study by the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology and reached third reading debate on October 1, 2026. The legislation proposes mandatory warning labels on alcoholic beverages to inform consumers about health risks such as cancer. It serves as a successor to Bill S-254 from the 44th Parliament.
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Q&A | N.W.T. health care has 'absolutely' improved over past 3 years, says new minister
Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-09-28 14:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Healthcare, Governance, Indigenous]Following the sudden resignation of Lesa Semmler as the Northwest Territories health minister in September 2026, Nunakput MLA and Housing N.W.T. Minister Lucy Kuptana stepped in as interim Health Minister. Kuptana stated that territorial healthcare has improved over the past three years through modernized medical travel, small community models of care, updated equipment negotiated via non-insured health benefits, and regular visits from specialized eye and dental teams. The interim minister also highlighted ongoing challenges regarding escalating pre-COVID cost controls, medical travel expenses, staffing shortages, and the critical need for expanded territorial aftercare and residential addiction facilities in partnership with local NGOs and Indigenous Services Canada.
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Political watchers weigh in on changing dynamics after N.W.T. health minister resigned
Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-09-23 20:30:35.0
Tags: [National, Governance, Healthcare, Social Services]Lesa Semmler has resigned from her positions as the Northwest Territories Minister of Health and Social Services and as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Inuvik Twin Lakes, prompting a by-election to be held within one year. Premier R.J. Simpson has appointed Lucy Kuptana to temporarily assume the Health and Social Services portfolio. The resignation leaves a significant vacancy in the Legislative Assembly as it prepares to reconvene for its fall session on October 20.
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C-218 (45-1) - An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying)
Source: Parliament of Canada (LEGISinfo)
Date: 2026-09-23 17:45:00.0
Tags: [National, Healthcare, Justice, Governance]Private Member's Bill C-218, titled An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying), was introduced in the House of Commons during the 45th Parliament by Conservative Member of Parliament Tamara Jansen. The bill seeks to amend the Criminal Code regarding medical assistance in dying and follows a similar previously defeated private member's bill, C-314, from the 44th Parliament. The legislation is currently undergoing debate at second reading in the House of Commons, with major speeches delivered by sponsor Tamara Jansen, Liberal Member Juanita Nathan, and Bloc Québécois Member Claude DeBellefeuille.
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Inuvik-Twin Lakes MLA, N.W.T. Health Minister Lesa Semmler resigns
Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-09-17 23:49:54.0
Tags: [National, Healthcare, Social Services, Governance]Lesa Semmler has resigned as the Northwest Territories Health Minister, Minister of Social Services, and MLA for Inuvik-Twin Lakes, effective September 17, 2026, after submitting a formal letter of resignation to the clerk of the Legislative Assembly pursuant to the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act. Premier R.J. Simpson announced that Minister Lucy Kuptana will temporarily assume the health and social services portfolio while preparations are made by Elections N.W.T. to hold a by-election for the vacant seat. Semmler was originally elected in 2019 during the 19th Legislative Assembly and was subsequently appointed to the Executive Council following her re-election in 2023.
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Inuvik-Twin Lakes MLA, N.W.T. Health Minister Lesa Semmler resigns
Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-09-17 23:49:54.0
Tags: [National, Healthcare, Governance]Lesa Semmler has resigned as the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Minister and as the MLA for Inuvik-Twin Lakes, effective September 17, 2026. Premier R.J. Simpson announced that Minister Lucy Kuptana will take over the Health and Social Services portfolio on an interim basis. The Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly declared Semmler's seat vacant pursuant to the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, with a by-election for Inuvik-Twin Lakes to be scheduled by Elections N.W.T.
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New regulations in the works could give N.W.T. pharmacists more power
Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-09-09 22:02:13.0
Tags: [National, Healthcare, Governance]The Government of the Northwest Territories is preparing legislation slated to be tabled by October 2026 to expand the scope of practice for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Amendments to the Health and Social Services Professions Act will allow pharmacists to prescribe medications for minor conditions such as heartburn, urinary tract infections, migraines, and dry eye, as well as administer routine vaccinations. Public engagement on the regulatory changes was conducted in summer 2024 by the Department of Health and Social Services, with a target implementation date of April 1, 2027.
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Alberta Premier Danielle Smith asks Ottawa for 'latitude' as dual practice model take effect
Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-09-01 22:11:13.0
Tags: [Alberta, National, Healthcare, Governance]Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has formally asked the federal government for latitude to implement the province's dual practice healthcare model, established under the Health Statutes Amendment Act 2025 (formerly Bill 11). The legislation, which takes effect on Tuesday, allows specialized physicians—excluding family doctors—to provide both private and public medical services for approved surgical procedures including orthopedics, minimally invasive general surgery, gynecology, ophthalmology, and ear/nose/throat surgeries. Premier Smith stated that 400 physicians have expressed interest in the model, and the province will apply rigorous oversight to ensure participating doctors maintain their public service levels and that cancer-related and life-threatening conditions remain entirely publicly funded and exempt.
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