Feds confirm funding for rare disease research as other questions unanswered
The federal government confirmed at a meeting of Canadian health ministers that it is extending a funding deal on rare disease research, while wider questions on health-care funding remain unanswered.
Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel told her provincial and territorial counterparts that the $500 million in annual funding for the National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Diseases that was set to expire next year will now be funded on an ongoing basis.Â
The minister said she also reached an agreement on next steps in talks to deal with other funding issues, including minimum increases for the Canada Health Transfer and the long-term fate of other bilateral agreements.
Michel confirmed late Wednesday that the federal government would extend by one year $1.2 billion in annual funding for mental health, addictions and home care.
She said Friday that the one-year extension on funding that was set to expire in March was to help bridge provinces to the new fall budget schedule.Â
Michel says she and her regional counterparts agreed they would have another meeting before the end of this year to talk about longer-term funding plans. Â
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 16, 2026.
By Ian Bickis | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Ontario hospital in deficit cutting over 100 nursing roles, adding other positions
A hospital in London, Ont., is cutting more than 100 registered nurse positions in its mental health programs as it tries to balance its budget.
St. Joseph's Health Care London says in a statement that it is removing 83 full-time and 31 part-time RN roles, and adding close to the same number of registered practical nurse, personal support worker, occupational therapist, physiotherapy assistant, social worker and therapeutic recreation assistant roles.
The hospital says it did a model of care review and is updating the service delivery model in its mental health inpatient, regional outpatient and outreach program at Parkwood Institute.
It comes as the hospital recorded its first-ever deficit last year, of $4.7 million, and has a planned operating deficit this year.
The hospital says its goal is to find ways to maintain the quality of core services while it reaches a balanced budget within three years.
Health Minister Sylvia Jones has told all hospitals in the province to eliminate deficits within that timeframe, and she says today in a statement that the government has given hospitals record amounts of funding and will work with them to ensure people have access to high-quality care.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 16, 2026.
By Allison Jones | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
European Investment Bank applies for exemption from foreign bank status
The European Investment Bank has applied for an exemption from foreign bank status in Canada, a move that would bring the lending arm of the European Union one step closer to operating here.
The request was published today in the Canada Gazette, the government's weekly publication listing new regulations and official notices.
The bank and the Canadian government signed a letter of intent in March committing to look for new ways to work together in areas like critical minerals.
The goal of that letter is to help ensure stable supply chains for various minerals and metals used in the clean energy, tech and defence sectors.Â
The March letter says that while the arrangement does not create financial commitments, it was meant to start discussions on allowing the investment bank to operate in Canada.
This application comes ahead of the Canada-EU Summit in Montreal at the end of October, where Canada and the EU are expected to announce the next steps in a deepening partnership.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 16, 2026.Â
By David Baxter | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.