This week, the national conversation sharpens around the question: what kind of system—and future—are Canadians really voting for?
The federal election narrative intensified as Liberal Leader Mark Carney unveiled his plan to make Canada a global energy superpower. Positioned as a response to U.S. tariffs, the strategy emphasizes clean and conventional energy development while reducing emissions. He shared during a stop in Calgary that the plan is focused on energy security, trade diversification, and long-term competitiveness, which will start with investments in critical minerals. Carney also confirmed plans to launch negotiations for a new economic and security relationship.
But even as the Liberals pitch long-term economic growth, voters and opposition parties are shifting the conversation back to healthcare. The Canadian Health Coalition (CHC) and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh called for Pharmacare expansion as the election approaches, citing that the success of the program begins by delivering free medication to all Canadians. The CHC also expressed disappointment with Carney’s failure to address the Canadians’ concern over the increased private and for-profit companies in the healthcare system.
The CHC launched Health Care Hub, a dedicated website that will highlight healthcare as the top issue for the elections. The website allows voters to contact local candidates through the Write Your Candidates tool.
Meanwhile, the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing unveiled its 2025 federal election platform, urging all political parties to invest in high-quality nursing education. The association also called for the restoration of primary care access, the promotion of healthy communities, and addressing health equity.
The contrast sharpened further as Singh warned that Carney’s federal election pledge to balance Canada’s budget would require $43 billion in cuts over three years, jeopardizing essential services like health care, including the potential loss of 3,000 nurses in Saskatchewan alone. Singh argued that while the Liberal leader’s approach would benefit the wealthy, it would undermine universal programs just as Donald Trump’s trade war puts additional pressure on Canadian families. Highlighting past NDP achievements like dental care and Pharmacare, Singh said New Democrats will continue fighting for public investments without cutting services people rely on.
Carney paused his election campaign for a third time to address U.S. President Donald Trump’s escalating trade war, calling the stakes for Canada’s economy “higher than ever.” Trump’s tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, and autos remain in place despite a 90-day global pause, prompting Carney to convene a cabinet meeting and pledge post-election negotiations if re-elected.
According to a new Nanos poll commissioned by The Globe and Mail and La Presse showed that 62% of Canadians believe Mark Carney would do a better job than Pierre Poilievre at negotiating with U.S. President Donald Trump. The survey also found that two in three Canadians are concerned about a possible recession within the next year.
Concerns over global pharmaceutical supply chains deepened after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to extend tariffs to include drugs and their ingredients. Though Canada dodged an additional 10% tariffs in Trump’s latest announcement, revising his reciprocal tariff policy. Still, government leaders from other parts of the world warned that tariffs could disrupt the supply of essential medicines, exacerbating treatment shortages.
U.S. healthcare advocates voiced concern, noting that such tariffs could drive up drug prices and limit access to critical treatments. Experts argued that imposing tariffs on pharmaceuticals could harm an already fragile industry, worsening shortages and increasing costs for patients.
In parallel, the Canadian Pharmacists Association urged the federal government to remove all drug-related items from its proposed retaliatory tariff list against the United States. The group said eight pharmaceutical tariff codes were currently on the list, though it remained unclear which medications they covered. While they are not expecting immediate drug shortages, future problems could happen since Canada depends on other countries for medicine. If tariffs are imposed, the group urged the federal government to work with manufacturers to reduce cost impacts.
Adding to the healthcare policy uncertainty, proposed changes to the Canadian Health Act Services Policy could impact the provision of virtual health care within employer-sponsored benefits plans as the policy mandates that medically necessary services must be covered by provincial or territorial healthcare plans to ensure full federal funding by 2026.
Health Minister Mark Holland clarified that medically necessary services, whether delivered by physicians or physician-equivalents, should be included under provincial plans. The potential policy enforcement could disrupt millions relying on employer-sponsored virtual care, leaving them to seek alternative solutions.
The shift might affect healthcare professionals’ service delivery preferences, challenging existing norms that favour virtual care due to its established demand and employer willingness to fund these services.
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