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.
Ontario’s Throne Speech and Free Trade Legislation: Protecting and Growing Ontario’s Economy
April 17, 2025 - Following their re-election in February, the Ontario Progressive Conservative (PC) Party, led by Premier Doug Ford formally opened the 44th Parliament of Ontario earlier this week. Before getting to the much-anticipated Throne Speech, PC MPP for the Hamilton-area riding of Flamborough-Glanbrook Donna Skelly was chosen on Monday as the province’s first female Speaker of the House, a milestone she calls “remarkable, if not many years too late.”
Read MoreSantis Bolsters its Ontario Government Affairs Team with the Addition of Clare Michaels
Toronto, ON – April 14, 2025 – Santis Health welcomes Clare Michaels as Vice President, Ontario Government Affairs. A seasoned advisor on complex issues, Clare will lead the development of client strategies, helping health care organizations navigate the complexities of government and craft the right message at critical moments.
Read MorePEI tables largest health care budget with focus on health care training
April 11, 2025 - The Prince Edward Island Government allocated over $1 billion to health authority spending for its 2025-26 budget, surpassing the billion-dollar mark for the first time. This budget prioritizes investments in primary care, long-term care, and hospital backlogs, aligning with the substantial health care investments made by other Atlantic Canada provinces in recent years.
Read MoreHealth Care a Leading Priority in Newfoundland and Labrador Budget
April 10, 2025 - On April 9, 2025, Newfoundland and Labrador tabled Budget 2025: Smarter, Stronger Better, with a projected deficit of $372 million for 2025-26, and projected revenues of $10.7 billion. Affordability, education and health care were among the leading investment areas. According to the budget, the province will borrow $ 4.1 billion in the 2025-26 fiscal year, and its net debt will hit $19.4 billion. The deficit for the fiscal year that ended last month (March 2025) was $252 million, about $100 million more than initially forecast.
Read MoreManitoba Budget Aims to “Rebuild Health Care” with a Record 14.2% Increase
March 21, 2025 - On March 20, 2025, the Manitoba government presented its 2025/26 budget, forecasting total spending at $25.6 billion.
Read MoreHealth a Leading Spending Category in the Saskatchewan Budget
March 20, 2025 - On March 19, 2025, Saskatchewan tabled its 2025-2026 budget with a projected spend of $21 billion this fiscal year, an increase of $909 million from last year's budget, and debt projected to increase by $2.5 billion to $38.3 billion.
Read MoreRapid Recap: Premier Ford’s Post-Election “Renewed” Cabinet
Wednesday, March 19, 2025 - The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Hon. Edith Dumont, has sworn in Premier Ford as well as members of his cabinet, forming the 44th Ontario Ministry. Premier Ford has kept cabinet at the same size as prior to the general election with 37 members, including himself, and minimal changes. “I’m blessed with the best caucus, and the best cabinet,” he said, adding that made it difficult to choose from the 80 Progressive Conservative (PC) MPPs available for ministerial roles. Premier Ford has decided not to appoint a separate tariff minister stating that multiple ministers work collectively to respond to U.S. tariffs.
Read MoreNew Brunswick Budget: Big Deficit, Modest Health Increases, and a Focus on Primary Care
March 18, 2025 - The New Brunswick government has tabled a $14.3 billion operating budget that includes $293 million in increased health care spending. At the same time, the province’s finance minister issued a warning that departments will be tasked with finding saving in the future to help tame the province’s $549 billion deficit.
Read MoreRapid Recap: Mark Carney Sworn in as Prime Minister Alongside New Cabinet and Minister of Health
March 14, 2025 -The Governor General of Canada, Mary Simon, has sworn in Mark Carney as the 24th Prime Minister of Canada, as well as his cabinet, forming the 30th Canadian Ministry. On Sunday, March 9, Mark Carney won the Liberal leadership in a landslide victory with 85.9% of the vote. Notably, there is a new Minister of Health, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, and Minister of Finance.
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