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Health ministers set to meet in Winnipeg after Ottawa announces funding extension
Canada's health ministers set to meet in Winnipeg
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby
Canadian health ministers meet in Winnipeg today after the federal government announced it would extend funding for mental health, addictions and home care by one year.
Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel made the announcement on social media late Wednesday, saying the extension represents $1.2 billion in funding.
The existing funding was set to expire next year.
Manitoba Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara is to host provincial and territorial counterparts today, and Michel is to co-chair Friday's meeting.
Provincial health ministers had said they were worried about "profound and negative" effects on patients and health-care jobs if the federal funding agreements weren't renewed in this year's budget.
Provinces and territories also raised concerns about the future of the Canada Health Transfer as the federal budget states the minimum growth rate will drop to three per cent from five per cent in 2028.
Asagwara says after meeting with Michel that she has shared the unanimous concerns of health ministers and is keen to hear more on federal health funding.
"I am thrilled to be able to say that I feel Minister Michel has been listening," Asagwara said Wednesday.
"I look forward to hearing some news from the minister on this, we all do."
Linda Silas, president of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions, said funding commitments should be a priority.
She said the federal government can't lose sight of the importance of health care as it ramps up spending on defence and other priorities.
"There has to be a just balance, and we have to see our health-care system as an investment, as a human rights issue, and as proud Canadians, it's the core of our fabric, and we need to hear our prime minister speak more loudly about it."
The Canadian Medical Association said in a release Wednesday that the meeting is an important opportunity for the federal government to provide certainty on funding to provinces and territories.
The association said strong and reliable federal funding to maintain universal health care is foundational to growing Canada's economy.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 15, 2026.
By Ian Bickis | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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'Hardly surprising' many Alberta business leaders staying mum on separation: expert
Unsurprising many CEOs mum on referendum: expert
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
The silence from many Alberta business leaders on the upcoming provincial referendum comes as no surprise to one corporate leadership expert.
Monday's vote includes 10 questions: one on whether Alberta should remain in Canada or move toward a binding separation referendum; five on immigration and four on constitutional matters.
Richard Leblanc, a professor of governance, law and ethics at York University, says there's a tradition in Canada for CEOs to stay in their lanes and not risk alienating shareholders or employees by taking a political stand.
But Leblanc says there may be times a company's board of directors agrees that a CEO should speak out on a matter that affects the well-being of the business, as Alberta taking steps toward a potential split from Canada arguably would.
A handful of leaders at big, publicly traded companies are among the more than 70 signatories to an open letter from the Calgary Chamber of Commerce warning of the economic fallout of separation, while the top brass at many prominent firms have stayed mum.
A few top executives have made their views known: Imperial Oil's John Whelan has spoken in favour of Alberta and Canada sticking together while Atco Ltd.'s Nancy Southern has warned of the disruption a split would cause.
"It's hardly surprising that a majority of CEOs are not speaking up," Leblanc said. "There's more to be lost than gained, generally, by speaking up about a political matter."
Some corporations have former prime ministers, premiers and cabinet ministers as directors on their boards, who can advise on when and how to weigh in on politics, Leblanc noted.
Atco's board includes former Alberta premier Jason Kenney, who has been a fervent voice in favour of the province staying in Confederation, as well as former federal cabinet minister Rona Ambrose.
Leblanc said customers and employees may have "legitimate expectations" that a CEO take a public stand on something that could affect the business, though getting board sign-off on the message is no easy feat.
"Sometimes the risk of not doing something can be far greater than doing something and dealing with the blowback."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 15, 2026.
Companies in this story: (TSX:ACO.X) (TSX:IMO)
By Lauren Krugel | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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Burnaby school district says cyberattack may have leaked student, parent info
Cyberattack may have leaked student, parent info
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi
Public school officials in Burnaby, B.C., say hackers may have obtained student and parental information in a recent cyberattack.
The Burnaby School District says in an online notice that the ransomware attack it suffered on Sept. 21 affected school websites and portals, internal network services and phone lines.
The notice says hackers copied and stole files that may have contained lists of parent, guardian and student names and contact information, as well as birthdates, grades and school names.
It says the hackers may also have obtained registration forms, kindergarten assessment notes and detailed lists of students on specialized learning plans.
The school district says the matter is in the hands of the RCMP and B.C.'s privacy commissioner, adding that its system security is being evaluated to prevent further breaches.
It says staff, students and their families have been offered registration with TransUnion’s fraud alert service and encourages them to be wary of any suspicious communications.
"We understand that incidents of this nature are concerning and we remain committed to keeping the Burnaby Schools community updated throughout this process, as the investigation proceeds and additional information becomes available," the notice says.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 15, 2026.
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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