Health

  1. This week is National Addictions Awareness Week (NAAW), a time for Canadians to learn more about addiction and how we can support people looking for help with substance use.
  2. Most people will experience grief, whether related to the death of someone close to them, the loss of their health and independence, or any other significant loss that is deeply felt.
  3. November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, an opportunity to raise awareness about lung cancer and the actions we can take to help prevent it and reduce the stigma associated with this disease. Lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer for men and women in Canada. With nearly 30,000 Canadians diagnosed every year, it is also the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Canada.
  4. Today, the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, announced more than $700,000 in funding from the Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Fund to support projects led by the Sexual Health Nova Scotia Society and the Association of New Canadians to improve access to sexual and reproductive health services for these communities across Atlantic Canada.
  5. Today, the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, announced more than $700,000 in funding from the Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Fund to support projects led by the Sexual Health Nova Scotia Society and the Association of New Canadians to improve access to sexual and reproductive health services for these communities across Atlantic Canada.
  6. On National Nurse Practitioner Week, we recognize and celebrate the dedication of nurse practitioners (NPs) who provide essential care for us and our loved ones.
  7. More than ever before, digital technologies are becoming central to the health and well-being of Canadians. This Digital Health Week, we want to recognize how digital health is transforming the delivery of care and improving health outcomes across Canada.
  8. Everyone experiences pain from time to time, but for one in five Canadians pain is a part of their every day. This week is National Pain Awareness Week. It’s a time to raise awareness about chronic pain, the severe impact it can have on people’s lives, and the resources that are available to support those living with pain.
  9. This November marks the 10th anniversary of Radon Action Month, a month dedicated to raising awareness of the health risks of radon and encouraging people in Canada to take action and test their home.
  10. Today, the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, announced the creation of the Implementation Advisory Group (IAG) for drugs for rare diseases.
  11. Today, the Honourable Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, announced more than $21 million in federal funding for 55 projects through Health Canada's Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP). With this funding, organizations will be able to increase access to much needed services for those who use drugs and help improve health outcomes for people who are at risk of experiencing substance-related harms.
  12. The renewed CDSS is an all-substances, public health and public safety strategy. The strategy is an iThe renewed CDSS is an all-substances, public health and public safety strategy. The strategy is an initiative in collaboration with over 15 federal government departments and agencies, with the goal to minimize substance-related harms for individuals, families, and communities.nitiative in collaboration with over 15 federal government departments and agencies, with the goal to minimize substance-related harms for individuals, families, and communities.
  13. To help support the response to the overdose crisis and address harms related to substance use and the toxic illegal drug supply, the Government of Canada has announced more than $21 million in funding for 55 community-led projects across Canada.
  14. The Honourable Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, will announce funding under the Substance Use and Addictions Program for several projects across Canada and release a renewed Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy (CDSS).
  15. Today, the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, announced a new appointment to the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB).
  16. This Canadian Intensive Care Week, we would like to celebrate and thank intensive care teams across the country for everything they do to help Canadians in our most critical moments.
  17. Today, Canada's Federal, Provincial and Territorial (FPT) Ministers of Health and Ministers responsible for mental health and addiction concluded a successful meeting in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Ministers held productive discussions on shared priorities, including the health workforce, health data, mental health and addiction, and public health.
  18. Today, the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, announced a new appointment to the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB). Following a merit-based selection process, Peter Moreland-Giraldeau has been appointed to the Board for a five-year term.
  19. Today, the Honourable Mark Holland, Canada’s Minister of Health, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan) on behalf of the Honourable Ya’ara Saks, Canada’s Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, the Honourable Adrian Dix, Minister of Health of British Columbia, and the Honourable Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions of British Columbia, announced a bilateral agreement of more than $1.2 billion over the next three years, marking a crucial step in a 10-year plan for collaboration.
  20. Each and every day, Canadians across the country continue to struggle with their mental health. World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to lift up the voices of those with lived and living experience and raise awareness about the importance of caring for our mental health in Canada and abroad.
  21. The Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health and the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan) on behalf of the Honourable Ya’ara Saks, Canada’s Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, will be in Vancouver, B.C., to join the Honourable Adrian Dix, Minister of Health for British Columbia and the Honourable Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions to make an important healthcare announcement.
  22. A face-to-face meeting of Federal, Provincial and Territorial (FPT) Ministers of Health will take place October 11 and 12, in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.
  23. Today marks the beginning of Mental Illness Awareness Week, an opportunity for us all to learn about mental illness, how it affects people, understand what help is available for those who struggle, and actively engage to do what we can do to reduce stigma.
  24. On September 30, we mark Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It is a time for all of us to remember the tragic history and ongoing impacts of residential schools—and to honour those who never returned home, survivors, as well as their families and communities.
  25. Yesterday, Health Canada launched the Canadian Product Safety Pledge for consumer products and cosmetics sold online.
  26. Yesterday, the Honourable Greg Fergus, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and to the President of the Treasury Board, on behalf of the Honourable Mark Holland, Canada’s Minister of Health, announced the launch of the Canadian Product Safety Pledge, with Amazon Canada and eBay Canada as the first signatories to the pledge.
  27. Today, the Honourable Ya'ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, announced the launch of the 2023 national call for proposals for Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP). The deadline to submit applications is November 22, 2023
  28. To help support the response to the overdose crisis and address harms related to substance use and the toxic illegal drug supply, the Government of Canada has announced more than $4 million in funding for four innovative community-led projects in Ottawa, Ontario.
  29. The Honourable Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, will hold a news conference to announce funding and next steps for the Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP).
  30. Health Canada has authorized the use of the Pfizer Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine targeting the Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant for people six months of age and older.
  31. the Government of Canada announced more than $1.6 million in funding to support the projects of The Endometriosis Network Canada and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada. Supported by Health Canada’s SRH Fund, these projects will help improve access to vital services and reduce barriers to care by developing resources for people living with endometriosis and health care providers.
  32. The Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Fund was established to support a wide range of evidence-informed and innovative projects that address the pressing needs of people in Canada who are at increased risk for poorer SRH outcomes, such as members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities, Indigenous and racialized people, newcomers to Canada, women, and youth.
  33. Julie Dabrusin, Member of Parliament for Toronto-Danforth and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, on behalf of the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, will hold a news conference to announce funding to improve access to sexual and reproductive health services for people living with endometriosis.
  34. This month was International Pain Awareness Month, a time dedicated to improving our understanding of chronic pain, an often invisible condition that affects one in five Canadians across the country.
  35. Today, during Living Donation Week, the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, announced key milestones achieved through the Pan-Canadian Data and Performance Reporting System for Organ Donation and Transplantation (ODT) initiative that will help Canada become a world leader with respect to ODT services.
  36. Amendment request granted to British Columbia for the subsection 56(1) exemption from Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Law enforcement in B.C. will have the authority to seize drugs, and arrest or charge for personal possession of under 2.5 grams in certain locations frequented by children and youth
  37. Today, during Living Donation Week, the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, announced key milestones achieved through the Improving Access to LDKT in Ethno-racial Minority Communities in Canada (ACTION) project. The project will help improve equitable access to LDKT for patients with kidney failure from marginalized communities in British Columbia and Ontario.
  38. Today, the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, and the Honourable Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, welcomed the release of the Canadian MAiD Curriculum developed by the Canadian Association of MAiD Assessors and Providers (CAMAP). This Curriculum is the first nationally accredited, bilingual MAiD education program available to licensed physicians and nurse practitioners across the country and will help achieve a safe and consistent approach to care.
  39. Health Canada has authorized the use of the Moderna SPIKEVAX™ COVID-19 vaccine targeting the Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant for people six months of age and older.
  40. Government of Canada officials will hold a technical briefing on COVID-19 vaccines in Canada and be available to address other public health concerns.
  41. Today, the Honourable Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, announced more than $1.8 million in federal funding for three projects funded in Hamilton through Health Canada's Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP). 
  42. To help support the response to the overdose crisis and address harms related to substance use and the toxic illegal drug supply, the Government of Canada has announced more than $1.8 million in funding for three innovative community-led projects in Hamilton, Ontario.
  43. Today marks World Suicide Prevention Day, an opportunity to recognize the impact of suicide on families and communities, and to reiterate the Government of Canada’s commitment to improving access to mental health help and preventing suicide in Canada.
  44. The Honourable Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, will announce funding under the Substance Use and Addictions Program for people living in Hamilton, Ontario.
  45. The Government of Canada is committed to reducing the number of people in Canada who smoke cigarettes and use other tobacco products to less than 5% of the population by 2035. Today, public consultations are being launched to inform the second legislative review of the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act (TVPA).
  46. Today, the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, announced close to $1.3 million in funding from Health Canada’s SRH Fund to support projects led by the Sexuality Education Resource Centre Manitoba and the Canadian HIV/AIDS Black, African and Caribbean (CHABAC) Network housed at HIV Edmonton.
  47. Today, the Government of Canada is providing close to $1.3 million from the SRH Fund to the Sexuality Resource Centre Manitoba and the Canadian HIV/AIDS Black, African and Caribbean (CHABAC) Network housed at HIV Edmonton.
  48. The Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, will announce funding to strengthen access to sexual and reproductive health services and reduce barriers to care for underserved communities in the Canadian Prairies.
  49. Today, Shaun Chen, Member of Parliament for Scarborough North, on behalf of the Honourable Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, announced more than $81,000 in federal funding for L’Espoir de la Femme Immigrante, a non-for-profit community organization that aim to support young girls and women in the city of Toronto through social, economic, educational, and cultural services.
  50. Shaun Chen, Member of Parliament for Scarborough North, on behalf of the Honourable Ya'ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, will announce funding under the Substance Use and Addictions Program.