School’s Out for the Summer

Members of Parliament wrap up a fiery session amidst rumours that the Prime Minister is preparing for a July Cabinet shuffle.

On that, and more, here is your Syntax Weekly Health Round-Up.

On the Hill 

• Late on June 21, Members of Parliament held their final vote of the session and agreed to rise two days early for the summer recess. Despite a turbulent session for the government where the story was dominated by reports of foreign interference in Canadian elections, reports of foreign threats and intimidation toward Canadian politicians, and controversy surrounding the transfer of Paul Bernardo to a medium-security facility, the government was able to pass a significant amount of legislation. The government’s accomplishments (fifteen bills in total) include changes to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, amendments to the Official Languages Act, passing the Online News Act, passing the Canada Disability Benefit Act, passing the Child Care Act, and passing the Federal Budget which included significant spending commitments to the Canada Health Transfer. 
• With the House now adjourned for the summer, the focus of the Ottawa Bubble will now inevitably turn to the summer rumour mill surrounding a Cabinet shuffle. CBC and Radio Canada added fuel to the fire this week when they published a story citing Liberal sources who suggest the Prime Minister is preparing for a Cabinet shuffle as early as July. At the top of the list to move will be embattled Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino who’s had a difficult time communicating on behalf of the government on the freedom convoy, allegations of foreign interference, the government’s firearms legislation, and now the transfer of Paul Bernardo. As is the norm when approaching the midway point of a government’s mandate, Ministers are also understood to being surveyed by senior Liberal officials as to whether or not they intend to run in the next election. 

Around Cabinet   

• Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos announced the appointment and reappointment of 12 individuals to the Ministerial Advisory Board (MAB) on Dementia. Members will provide evidence-informed advice on current and emerging dementia-related issues, including opportunities to improve the quality of life of persons living with dementia and caregivers. 

• Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Carolyn Bennett announced the Vaping Products Reporting Regulations, which will require manufacturers to disclose information about their sales and the ingredients used in their vaping products to Health Canada. Similar to the Tobacco Reporting Regulations, the vaping regulations provide Health Canada with information to help make policy decisions and develop effective tobacco control strategies. 

Around the Dominion 

• The Government of Nova Scotia announced changes to the Need a Family Practice Registry to help more people get the care they need. Specifically, anyone on the registry can add health information to their profile that will be used to direct them to services, resources, and care options in their community. The information will also be paired with incentives for doctors to match patients with greatest need with a family doctor. 
• The Government of Saskatchewan announced it is expanding the scope of practice for pharmacists, nurse practitioners, and advanced-care paramedics. Pharmacists will be able to independently prescribe, as well as order lab tests and conduct point-of-care testing, such as drawing a small blood sample, to advise patients on medication to better manage diabetes or cholesterol. Nurse practitioners will have extended privileges for admission and discharge of patients in some hospital areas; and be permitted to conduct initial examinations of new long-term care (LTC) residents, be responsible for ongoing medical care and treatment for residents, provide emergency care, and sign death certificates for residents in LTC. Advanced-care paramedics will be able to perform suturing for minor wounds, cuts, or lacerations.