Health Policy News

Alberta appoints new chief medical health officer
Dr. Vivien Suttorp, who has been the lead medical health officer for the province’s South Zone, is to begin her new job Friday.
Should specialists be remunerated for managing waitlists?
In its submission to the B.C. government ahead of the 2026 provincial budget, the Consultant Specialists of BC are calling for the creation of a province-wide waitlist database and new tools for specialists to manage waitlists.

Alberta shuts down supervised drug consumption site in Edmonton hospital

The site was for exclusive use of patients at the downtown hospital.
Canadian Paediatric Society supports making melatonin a prescription drug for children and teens

CPS provided their submission to Health Canada's consultation on melatonin for pediatric sleep issues.
Manitoba moves to curb sick notes as doctors offer employers a new playbook

With legislation set to ban sick notes for most minor illnesses, Doctors Manitoba launches a free toolkit urging employers to rely on self-attestations, paid leave and other alternatives.
Quebec family doctors voting on new deal after province backtracks on reforms

The tentative deal would scrap performance-related penalties and a colour-coded system to assess patients’ vulnerability, and would provide an additional $435 million in the compensation package for family doctors.
B.C. guidance on youth involuntary care criticized by two independent officers

Two independent provincial officers in British Columbia have separately criticized a recent decision to release guidelines aimed at increasing involuntary care among youth.
Centralized surgical waitlists could actually increase rather than decrease choice for patients, CMAJ article argues

A centralized ‘single-entry’ referral system that can reduce surgical wait times is actually the more ethical option, despite concerns that such a system could limit choice for patients, according to a new commentary piece in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Manitoba is the first province to collect data on patients' race—so what has it learned?

Dr. Marcia Anderson spearheaded the project to begin voluntary collection of this data across the province.
Tell us your story: Is your team redefining collaborative care?

Let us know about teams anchored by physicians but heavily integrated with NPs and PAs that are innovative and working well.

Alberta appoints new chief medical health officer

Should specialists be remunerated for managing waitlists?

Alberta shuts down supervised drug consumption site in Edmonton hospital

Canadian Paediatric Society supports making melatonin a prescription drug for children and teens

Manitoba moves to curb sick notes as doctors offer employers a new playbook

Quebec family doctors voting on new deal after province backtracks on reforms

B.C. guidance on youth involuntary care criticized by two independent officers

Centralized surgical waitlists could actually increase rather than decrease choice for patients, CMAJ article argues

Manitoba is the first province to collect data on patients' race—so what has it learned?

Tell us your story: Is your team redefining collaborative care?