Newfoundland and Alberta Sign Bilateral Agreements on Aging with Dignity

Saskatchewan announces an innovative new virtual health hub while the federal government announces Aging With Dignity Agreements with Newfoundland and Alberta. On that, and more, here is your Syntax Weekly Health Round-Up.

Around the Hill

• At Committee, Members of the Standing Committee on Health (HESA) welcomed Health Minister Mark Holland for a meeting to discuss Bill C-64, the Liberals’ pharmacare legislation. The Liberals are hoping to pass the legislation before the summer recess, at which time Minister Holland would launch formal negotiations with provinces and territories with the intent to announce bilateral agreements shortly thereafter.
• Ministers Mark Holland and Ya’ara Saks waded into the ongoing opioid crisis by refusing the request of the City of Toronto to decriminalize personal possession of controlled drugs and substances for people in Toronto, ruling that the application did not adequately protect public health and maintain public safety. The Ministers’ concerns included the feasibility and ability for law enforcement to implement the proposed model, protection of youth, and lack of support from key players including the Province of Ontario.

Around Government 

• Speaking to media early this week, Health Minister Mark Holland shared that, despite the Liberals’ warnings that a Conservative government would restrict access to abortions, the government does not plan to introduce legislation to enshrine abortion access. Holland added that his priority is to continue working with the provinces and territories, who are responsible for healthcare delivery, to improve and expand access to abortion services.
• Health Minister Mark Holland announced funding of up to $843,225 over three years to support the development and dissemination of national antimicrobial prescribing guidelines for 25 different syndromes in humans. These guidelines would help optimize prescribing practices and reduce unnecessary or inappropriate use of antimicrobials in Canada. The Association of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease Canada will develop the new guidelines which will be disseminated to healthcare providers at the point of care through a digital platform.
• The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) published the eighth edition of its annual Meds Entry Watch report, finding that the number of new medicines launched in Canada is higher than the median for OECD countries. The report also noted that specialty medicines such as biologic, orphan, and cancer treatments continue to make up a growing share of the new drug landscape.

Around the Dominion

• In Newfoundland, the federal and provincial governments announced a $78-million bilateral agreement to support aging with dignity in the province. The funding, under the aging with dignity tranche of the 2023 Canada Health Transfer agreement, will be allocated to support home and community care systems, enhance palliative and end-of-life care, address workforce challenges, and support the implementation of national long-term care standards.
• In Ontario, the provincial government announced funding of up to $2.5 million to improve pediatric palliative care in Hamilton by supporting the construction of Kemp Care Network’s new 10-bed children’s hospice, which will help families connect to comfortable and dignified end-of-life care. The hospice is expected to open in 2026.
• In Saskatchewan, the provincial government announced a first of its kind in Canada: the Virtual Health Hub, which will enhance rural and remote healthcare. The hub will be based in Whitecap Dakota First Nation. Once constructed, it will initially support delivery of virtual health services for up to 30 communities remotely. Additionally, classes of approximately 12 students at a time will train and learn the skills to deliver services using advanced virtual care technologies. Once training is complete, the graduates will be able to set up these technologies in rural and remote communities across the province and assist patients with their appointments, while clinicians and technologists at the hub location perform the services remotely.
• In Alberta, the federal and provincial governments announced a $627-million bilateral agreement to support aging with dignity in the province. The funding, under the aging with dignity tranche of the 2023 Canada Health Transfer agreement, will be allocated to support home and community care systems, enhance palliative care, expand caregiver supports, strengthen the continuing care workforce, and enhance compliance within continuing care.