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.
Rapid Recap: Ontario Budget 2026 Plays It Safe
Thursday, March 26, 2026 – This afternoon, Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy released Ontario’s 2026 Budget, A Plan to Protect Ontario, which focuses on six key themes: productivity and innovation; a competitive business environment; infrastructure and housing; trade and competitiveness; talent and workforce; and reliable, affordable, and clean energy. Minister Bethlenfalvy emphasized for weeks that while the government cannot eliminate uncertainty (i.e. U.S. trade war, international conflicts), it can mitigate risks through a responsible, balanced fiscal approach that supports core public services and infrastructure, while maintaining flexibility to respond to economic headwinds.
Read MoreManitoba’s 2026/27 Budget
Tuesday, March 24 – Manitoba’s Minister of Finance tabled Budget 2026, outlining total expenditures of approximately $27.3 billion against revenues of approximately $26.9 billion, resulting in a budget plan deficit of $498 million. This figure excludes financial contingencies, which are becoming an increasingly material cost driver in the context of worsening wildfire seasons and ongoing global economic uncertainty. Budget 2026/27, the government’s third budget delivered roughly one year before the next election reflects a continued focus on demonstrating delivery against its 2023 commitments, particularly in health system stabilization and fiscal discipline. The government’s approach to health care remains centred on expanding frontline workforce capacity and service volumes, supported by targeted capital investments in health infrastructure.
Read MoreNew Brunswick Budget 2026-27: Putting New Brunswickers First
March 17, 2026 – René Legacy, Minister of Finance and Treasury Board, tabled New Brunswick’s 2026-27 provincial budget, forecasting a total expense of $15.63 billion. While the budget acknowledges global economic uncertainty, ongoing trade pressures, and a shifting economic reality with a forecasted real GDP growth of 1.0% in 2026, it prioritizes investments in essential public services. Health care is the primary focus of this budget, alongside initiatives targeting affordability, housing, and education. Despite these investments, the government aims to manage public finances responsibly and projects a deficit of $1.39 billion for 2026-27. To ensure long-term fiscal sustainability, the government is also implementing specific expenditure reductions and targeted revenue measures.
Read MoreRapid Recap: Ontario Expands Primary Care Action Plan with $3.4B investment and new Primary Care Medical Record System
Thursday, March 19 – Today, the Ontario government announced the next phase of its Primary Care Action Plan, increasing total funding from $2.1 billion to $3.4 billion until 2029 to support the expansion of primary care teams across the province. In addition to more money for new or expanding primary care teams, the government intends to roll out a new provincewide Primary Care Medical Record system, designed to integrate patient records, reduce administrative burden for physicians, and improve the quality of care for patients.
Read MoreRapid Recap: Alberta Budget 2026-2027
Friday, February 27, 2026 – Yesterday, Minister of Finance Nate Horner tabled Alberta’s 2026 provincial budget, forecasting total expenses of $83.9 billion over the next fiscal year against $74.6 billion in revenue. This leaves the province with a projected deficit of $9.4 billion for 2026-27, with deficits expected to continue over the next two years at $7.6 billion in 2027-28 and $6.9 billion in 2028-29. Despite the deficit — driven largely by global economic uncertainty, lower oil prices, and recent rapid population growth — the province followed through on previous commitments to make significant investments in essential service funding.
Read MoreRapid Recap: B.C. Budget 2026: Prioritizing Primary Care and Administrative Reform
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 - On February 17, 2026, Minister of Finance Brenda Bailey tabled British Columbia’s 2026/27 provincial budget, forecasting a total spend of $98.83 billion over the next fiscal year. Of this, $5.1 billion is new spending, the majority of which ($2.77 billion) has been allocated to the Ministry of Health. Despite weeks of Minister Bailey foreshadowing an austerity budget focused on addressing the government’s deficit, this budget ultimately looked to “balance” addressing the deficit and continuing key public sector investments, resulting in a projected record deficit of $13.3 billion for 2026/27.
Read MoreRapid Recap: Ontario Primary Care Expansion Update & Liberal Leadership Reset
Friday, January 16, 2026 - This week, the Ontario government commemorated its commitment to primary care access, reflecting on progress made one year after the release of the Primary Care Action Plan and announced planning grants for 16 new and expanded primary care teaching clinics. Former Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie also abruptly announced her formal and immediate resignation, accelerating the search for new leadership following a challenging 2025 election cycle. An interim leader is yet to be appointed.
Read MoreCatherine Brown Returns to Santis to Offer Organizational Crisis Resiliency Expertise
Toronto, ON - December 11, 2025 - Santis Health is proud to announce that Catherine Brown has rejoined our esteemed team of Expert Advisors, bringing more than 30 years of experience in health care leadership, crisis management, and business continuity. She previously held senior roles within the Ontario government, Health Shared Services Ontario and Ontario Health, and demonstrated essential leadership during the pandemic response.
Read MoreRapid Recap: Primary Care, Physician Billing, and PPE Stockpiles Under Scrutiny
Friday, December 5 - The Auditor General (AG) released her annual report earlier this week, which included scrutiny of multiple health files, with physician billing generating the strongest media traction and political attention. Other reports examined primary care expansion, medical school expansion for family medicine, and Supply Ontario’s personal protective equipment (PPE) management post-pandemic.
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