Category: Health

Statement

The Task Force brought together senior leaders and experts from the pharmaceutical sector to explore innovative, made-in-Canada solutions. These productive discussions and engagements have deepened our collective understanding of how health, innovation and regulations are interconnected and work together to support better health outcomes and a growing economy.

July 24, 2026 | Ottawa, Ontario | Health Canada

As the work of the Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences Sector Task Force (Task Force) comes to a close, we welcome the report published today and thank the Task Force for its thoughtful discussions on how Canada can strengthen the competitiveness and long-term sustainability of its pharmaceutical and life sciences sector, improve reliable and sustainable access to medicines, and support economic growth.

The Task Force brought together senior leaders and experts from the pharmaceutical sector to explore innovative, made-in-Canada solutions. These productive discussions and engagements have deepened our collective understanding of how health, innovation and regulations are interconnected and work together to support better health outcomes and a growing economy.

More specifically, members discussed topics such as:

• Access to and affordability of pharmaceuticals;
• Pharmaceutical sovereignty and the security of Canada’s supply;
• Regulatory approaches for supporting innovation and resilience;
• Modernization of decision-making processes, with a focus on data and evidence;
• Research, innovation, and the pharmaceutical development pipeline; and
• Economic growth, commercialization, and scale-up of life sciences firms.

The Government of Canada will carefully consider the Task Force’s recommendations as part of its efforts to improve affordable access to pharmaceuticals while strengthening the growth and resilience of Canada’s life sciences sector.

We will continue working to create a healthier, more prosperous future for Canadians. By fostering innovation and strengthening capacity, we are building a more productive, resilient economy that supports long-term growth and opportunity.

The Honourable Marjorie Michel, P.C., M.P.

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, P.C. M.P.

Contacts

Alexandre Bergeron
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Health
Alexandre.Bergeron@hc-sc.gc.ca

Media Relations
Health Canada
613-957-2983
media@hc-sc.gc.ca

Gabrielle Landry
Deputy Director, Media Relations
Office of the Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
gabrielle.landry@ised-isde.gc.ca

Media Relations
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
media@ised-isde.gc.ca

July 21, 2026 | Halifax, Nova Scotia | Health Canada

Today, Maggie Chi, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, on behalf of the Honourable Marjorie Michel, announced close to $10 million to expand Integrated Youth Services (IYS) across Nova Scotia, helping more young people and their families access coordinated, community-based mental health and related services.

Delivered by Izaak Walton Killam (IWK) Health, the Connected Futures: Anchoring Services and Care in Community for Youth in Nova Scotia project will help strengthen services at existing IYS hubs in Nova Scotia, and improve access to care services for Indigenous youth, those living in rural areas, and other underserved populations. It will also support enhancements to existing IYS hubs to integrate primary care services, including investments in up to 12 additional clinical support staff across up to eight hubs. These improvements will help young people access a broader range of overall health services in one location, reducing barriers to care and ensuring more timely, consistent, and connected support. The project involves partnerships with multiple local and provincial organizations such as the YMCA and YWCA, the Eskasoni Health Centre, the New Dawn Centre, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the BGC. Youth and caregivers will play an active role in shaping programs and communications through advisory and co-design opportunities.

Supported through the Youth Mental Health Fund (YMHF), this project is part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to improve mental health outcomes for youth by enhancing access to, and navigation of, mental health services with a focus on underserved, rural and Indigenous youth.

July 15, 2026 | Ottawa, Ontario | Health Canada

Canadians expect timely access to safe and effective drugs and medical devices. Health Canada is taking practical steps to modernize and improve the efficiency of its regulatory processes, while maintaining its high standards for safety, efficacy, and quality.

Over the last three months, Health Canada has approved 537 new drugs and medical devices to help Canadians manage and treat a range of health issues. This includes three generic versions of semaglutide, the first G7 country to do so.

In addition, to help bring more medications and treatments to Canada sooner, Health Canada has published a Ministerial Reliance Order. The Order allows the department to review certain parts of drug submissions faster by using decisions or documents produced by select foreign regulators. This approach maintains Canada’s requirements for safety, efficacy and quality, while reducing unnecessary duplication. A more efficient process will also encourage manufacturers to bring products to Canada. The first classes of drugs that will be accepted by Health Canada under the Order include drugs for pediatric use and veterinary drugs.

At the same time, Health Canada is seeking feedback on a proposed approach to prioritize the review of certain generic drug submissions that involve Canadian manufacturing. Supporting Canada’s generic pharmaceutical and life sciences sector will play a key role in enhancing the security of the drug supply and preventing harmful shortages that could negatively impact the health of Canadians.

Complementing Health Canada’s regulatory modernization efforts, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) continues to support health research and clinical trials that generate the evidence needed to evaluate new drugs, medical devices and other health products, helping strengthen Canada’s life sciences ecosystem and improve access to innovative treatments for Canadians.

These initiatives are helping build a more modern and efficient regulatory system—one that supports faster and expanded access to drugs for Canadians, without compromising Canada’s high standards for safety, efficacy and quality.

July 13, 2026 | Montreal, QC | Health Canada

Young people across Canada are struggling with their mental health. Timely access to the right services and supports within their communities can help create lasting and meaningful improvements in the mental health of youth and for their families.

Today, the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, and Lionel Carmant, Quebec’s Minister Responsible for Social Services and the Fight Against Homelessness, announced a new agreement that will provide the Province of Quebec with $70.8 million over four years through the Youth Mental Health Fund.

This investment will help Quebec strengthen the networks of Integrated Youth Services (IYS). It aims to improve equitable access to comprehensive health care—both physical and mental—in order to better meet the needs of young people and promote their well-being. Thanks to this support, more youth facing physical or mental health challenges will be able to access the services they need. Many of these youth, who are often underserved, face disproportionate barriers to accessing high-quality care.

This funding will, among other things, make it possible to expand Quebec’s Aire Ouverte model. Youth will have access to a range of services in one place, including mental health and substance use support, physical and sexual health, youth and family peer support, and social services. Established in 2018, Quebec’s Aire Ouverte IYS model offers comprehensive services, including mental health services, to young people aged 12 to 25 in a free and confidential manner.

The government of Canada, in collaboration with the government of Quebec, remains committed to supporting the mental health of young people everywhere in Canada, providing them with timely access to services and supports in their communities.