Insights, Health Care System in Canada, Santis Health care consultants

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.

Why Young Audiences in Health Care Matter

Changes in news consumption among 18-24 year olds show how quickly audiences are adapting, and represents a key challenge for health system innovation. Data from the Reuters Institute research report published in March (spanning from 2013 to 2025) shows that 18-24 year olds are increasingly engaging with news through social and video platforms. But it is not a difference in core values. How people get their news is changing, on top of a feeling of misrepresentation in traditional media. Listening and adapting to these changes increases visibility and empowers our community of health care leadership.

Newfoundland Budget 2026

Wednesday, April 29 – Newfoundland and Labrador’s Minister of Finance tabled Budget 2026, outlining total revenue of approximately $10.8 billion against expenses of approximately $11.5 billion, resulting in a projected deficit of $688.5 million. As the first budget delivered by Premier Tony Wakeham’s Progressive Conservative government, it is closely aligned with the party’s core election commitments, with a clear emphasis on tax relief, strengthening the health system, and supporting communities across the province. The budget positions health care as the central policy and spending priority, with a focus on stabilizing system performance in the near term. Investments are directed toward reducing reliance on agency staffing, expanding access in rural and remote communities, increasing capacity, supporting medical travel, and addressing accumulated deficits within NL Health Services.

Rapid Recap: Federal Government Tables Spring Economic Update 2026

Tuesday, April 28, 2026 - This afternoon, Minister of Finance François Philippe-Champagne released the federal government’s Spring Economic Update (SEU) 2026, Canada Strong for All, outlining strategic investments to support productivity, growth, and competitiveness and position Canada for long-term prosperity. The SEU identifies targeted relief measures aimed at affordability, support for workers, the acceleration of construction of homes and major infrastructure, and strengthening Canada’s competitiveness and economic growth.

Breaking Down Ontario’s $101B Health Spending Commitments

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 - On Wednesday, the Ontario government released its Expenditure Estimates for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, outlining the operating and capital spending requirements of provincial ministries based on the most recent 2026 Ontario budget. While total health spending is projected to reach $101.2 billion, this topline growth was not distributed evenly according to today’s estimated release. As we noted in our previous Rapid Recap on this year’s budget, the numbers reflect a government laser-focused on system stabilization, pushing care into the community, and accommodating significant growth in pharmaceutical costs.

Rapid Recap: April 2026 Federal By-Elections and Liberal Convention Wrap-Up

Tuesday, April 14, 2026 - Late last night, Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Liberal Party of Canada successfully secured a slim majority government with 174 seats following a sweep of three federal by-elections. In Scarborough Southwest, Liberal candidate Doly Begum won the seat following the resignation of Liberal Cabinet Minister and Member of Parliament (MP) Bill Blair, who had served the riding since 2015 but stepped away earlier this year to serve as Canada’s high commissioner to the United Kingdom. Ms. Begum, a former New Democratic Party (NDP) Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) and deputy leader, secured nearly 69% of the vote, beating out the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) candidate, Diana Filipova, who received about 18%.

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.

Manitoba’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.

New 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.

Rapid 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.

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