The Santis team shares its insights on the key sectors and factors driving decisions and change in the health care and life sciences sector across Canada.
BC Election Update: Polling Shows Tight Race as Eby Makes Flurry of Affordability Announcements
October 5 - In the second week of the election campaign, BC polling points to a tightly contested election, with neither party holding a consistent lead and health care emerging as voters’ top priority. The NDP has shifted its campaign toward a flurry of affordability and health-care commitments, while continued infighting complicates the Conservatives’ efforts to present a credible alternative government. Forthcoming platforms will face scrutiny over how each party would fund its promises and improve access to care.
Read MoreMarking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Resources on Indigenous Health in Canada
September 30, 2026 - September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, established by the federal government in 2021 in response to Call to Action 80 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. This Call to Action asked the federal government to recognize a statutory holiday to honour the children who never returned home from residential schools, along with Survivors, their families and their communities and continue to publicly commemorate the history and legacy of residential schools in Canada.
Read MoreSantis Health Welcomes Devon Ryan as Director, Ontario Government Affairs
September 28, 2026, Toronto, ON – Santis Health welcomes Devon Ryan to our team as Director, Ontario Government Affairs. Devon brings with him extensive experience at the provincial government level, and a deep background in health policy and community leadership that will further strengthen the bench strength of our existing team. Most recently, Devon served as a Policy Advisor in the Ontario Government with the Office of the Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, where he navigated complex health files and government decision-making processes.
Read MoreRapid Recap: Premier Eby Calls Snap Election in BC
September 22, 2026 - Today, Premier David Eby called a snap election in British Columbia, following weeks of speculation and significant turmoil within the provincial opposition. The announcement follows Kerry-Lynne Findlay’s resignation as leader of the BC Conservatives and the consolidation of eight former Conservative MLAs under the CentreBC banner, led by Peter Milobar.
Read MoreSantis Health Welcomes Dr. Suzanne Strasberg to its Roster of Expert Advisors
Santis Health is pleased to welcome Dr. Suzanne Strasberg as its newest Senior Advisor. A family physician and respected health care leader, Dr. Strasberg brings decades of experience navigating the realities of primary care paired with a deep track record of medical association leadership and system transformation. Deeply involved with the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), she most recently served as Chair of its Board from 2019 to 2025. She also served as board member and co-chair of the Committee on Public/Private Interface. Dr. Strasberg has also held a range of executive leadership roles with the Ontario Medical Association (OMA), including board chair, president and committee chair for family health organization (FHO) negotiations, strategic planning, and communications. She served as a member of the bilateral OMA–Ministry Primary and Community Care Committee for four years.
Read MoreRapid Recap: August 2026 Federal By-Elections
Tuesday, September 1, 2026 - Late last night, Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Liberal Party of Canada unsurprisingly maintained a slim majority government with 173 seats following a sweep of three federal by-elections. In North Vancouver – Capilano, Liberal candidate Braeden Caley won the seat following the resignation of Liberal Cabinet Minister and Member of Parliament (MP) Jonathan Wilkinson, who had served the riding since 2015 but stepped away earlier this year to serve as Ambassador of Canada to the European Union (EU).
Read MoreReviewing the Recommendations of the Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences Sector Task Force
July 27, 2026 - On Friday July 24, the Government of Canada's Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences Sector Task Force released its report on how Canada can strengthen the competitiveness and long-term sustainability of its pharmaceutical and life sciences sector, improve reliable and sustainable access to medicines and support economic growth. Launched on March 18, 2026, the Task Force was created during a time of intense uncertainty and disruption in the global life sciences policy ecosystem.
Read MoreAlberta Opens Private Preventative Diagnostic Testing Market
July 28, 2026 - The Government of Alberta has officially launched Canada's first private-pay preventative diagnostic testing framework, allowing Albertans to purchase select diagnostic imaging services without a physician referral. The initiative, enabled through Bills 11 and 29, takes effect July 31, 2026 and represents a significant policy shift toward expanding private healthcare options while maintaining publicly-funded, medically necessary care. For health organizations, diagnostic providers, MedTech companies and investors, Alberta is positioning itself as the first Canadian jurisdiction to create a regulated private preventative screening market.
Read MoreCouncil of the Federation Meeting, Summer 2026 - Wrap Memo
July 24, 2026 - As Chair of the Council of the Federation (COF) this year, Premier of Prince Edward Island (PEI), Rob Lantz, hosted the Summer Meetings of the Premiers and First Ministers in Charlottetown. The meetings were set against the threat of a deepening recession, a stalled renewal of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), and fresh tariffs from the United States (U.S.) — economic pressures that certainly helped shape every conversation throughout the past couple days.
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