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: Cancer Drugs in the FAST Lane in Ontario
October 8, 2025 - The Ontario Government has announced more details on the long-awaited cancer therapies pilot dubbed the Funding Accelerated for Specific Treatments (FAST) program. It promises to allow the fast-tracking of access to 7-10 breakthrough cancer therapies at least one year earlier than traditional pathways. The FAST program would make Ontario the first jurisdiction in Canada to expedite access to new and innovative medicines within Canada. The FAST program is enabled through a three-year pilot program for streamlining Health Canada-approved cancer drugs through Project Orbis.
Read MoreRapid Recap: Ontario Announces Second Round of Primary Care Expansion
Tuesday, September 23 - Yesterday, the Ontario government launched the eagerly-awaited second call for Interprofessional Primary Care Team proposals. Ontario’s Minister of Health, Sylvia Jones, alongside Primary Care Action Team (PCAT) chair, Dr. Jane Philpott, made the announcement in Brampton. The government aims to create and expand approximately 75 primary care teams and a $250 million investment is expected to connect an additional 500,000 people to primary care clinicians. The announcement was preceded by a first call back in June for 130 teams. The deadline for submissions is November 14, 2025.
Read MoreRapid Recap: Ontario’s Scope of Practice Expansion, OMA Arbitration Award
Monday, September 22 - As the health care system eagerly awaits the second call for proposals on primary care expansion, the Ministry of Health announced sweeping consultations last week aimed at expanding the scope of practice for a number of professions. A Board of Arbitration, chaired by veteran lawyer William Kaplan, also released its ruling on the Physician Services Agreement, settling compensation for the physicians of Ontario for 2025, 2026, 2027 and Spring 2028.
Read MoreRapid Recap: Ontario’s Health Innovation Pathway is a Decade-Long Policy Made, Unmade and then Remade
Friday, September 5 - Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones launched Ontario's Health Innovation Pathway yesterday, creating the first systematic route for medical devices, digital health products, and care delivery innovations to reach scaled adoption in the provincial health system. The goal is to scale up innovative health technology adoption through the pathway's streamlined systemThe pathway includes $12 million in immediate project funding through the Health Technology Accelerator Fund.
Read MoreRapid Recap: AMO Catch-alls, LTC Overhauls
Thursday, August 21 - The annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conference wrapped up on Wednesday with the Ontario government highlighting its investment in health initiatives to date and introducing upcoming projects across the province. Premier Doug Ford opened the conference with a keynote reinforcing Ontario’s protective stance against “President Trump’s tariffs”. On Monday Premier Ford pledged to build a stronger, more self-reliant Ontario. He highlighted record investments in hospitals and the $2.1 billion Primary Care Action Plan alongside major new housing commitments.
Read MoreSantis Health Expands its Management Consulting Practice with the Addition of Dr. Brendan Carr as Senior Vice President
Toronto, ON – July 10, 2025 – Santis Health is pleased to welcome Dr. Brendan Carr as its newest Senior Vice President, National Practice Lead, Management Consulting. Dr. Carr joins the Santis Health team on a full-time permanent basis after previously joining the team as a Senior Associate in March 2025.
Read MoreRapid Recap: Ontario’s First Round of Primary Care Expansion
Monday, June 23, 2025 - Ontario’s Minister of Health, Sylvia Jones, alongside Primary Care Action Team (PCAT) chair, Dr. Jane Philpott, announced the launch of 130 new and expanded primary care teams at Flemingdon Health Centre in Toronto. These teams were chosen from applications submitted during the first call for proposals earlier this spring and are expected to accept new patients in the coming months.
Read MoreSantis Health Welcomes New Government Affairs and Life Sciences Communications Leaders
Toronto, ON – May 26, 2025 – Santis Health is pleased to announce the addition of Morgan Davidson as Director, Communications and Nabiha Paracha as Senior Consultant, Ontario Government Affairs. These strategic hires, bringing significant depth in public affairs, health policy and strategic communications, will amplify Santis' ability to champion the needs of our pharmaceutical and health sector clients in Ontario and beyond.
Read MoreRapid Recap: Targeted Changes Reshape Alberta’s Health Leadership
May 16, 2025 -Today, following this week’s rise of the 31st Alberta Legislature, Premier Danielle Smith announced a cabinet shuffle to reshape the United Conservative Party’s (UCP) front bench. The most significant change is the restructuring of the health ministries – with Minister LaGrange and Minister Nixon remaining on the file, but with new additions Minister Wilson and Minister Jones. This new division of the health portfolio appears to be a part of the larger health system reorganization Premier Smith has championed over the last few years.
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