Calgary, Alberta – Federal, provincial, and territorial (FPT) health ministers have gathered in Calgary for a two-day meeting on October 16 and 17, 2025, to tackle pressing challenges within Canada's healthcare system. The discussions are centered on crucial areas such as interprovincial credential recognition, funding agreements, mental health and addiction issues, and persistent healthcare workforce shortages.
Key Discussions on Funding and Pharmacare
A significant portion of the meeting is dedicated to health funding agreements. Alberta's Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services, Adriana LaGrange, who is co-chairing the meeting with Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel, is advocating for federal commitments to existing health funding programs and strategies to address workforce shortages.
Pharmacare is also a point of discussion, with Alberta seeking its 'fair share' of funding for provincial pharmacare without necessarily signing onto the national program. LaGrange's office has indicated that Alberta believes its current coverage plans are sufficient and would prefer federal funding to bolster existing provincial initiatives. Currently, three provinces and one territory have signed onto the federal pharmacare program, which provides coverage for contraceptives and diabetes medication.
Addressing Workforce Shortages and Credential Recognition
The ministers are also focusing on solutions for the widespread healthcare workforce shortages across the country. Discussions include strategies for interprovincial credential recognition, aiming to streamline the process for healthcare professionals to practice across different jurisdictions.
In addition to ministerial discussions, representatives are meeting with national organizations representing doctors and nurses. Linda Silas, president of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions, is pushing for concrete actions to address the abuse faced by nurses on the job, emphasizing the need for a cultural shift in healthcare.
Mental Health and Addiction Services
Mental health and addiction issues remain a high priority on the agenda. Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel's office confirmed that these topics, alongside vaccination programs, are integral to the discussions. The meeting aims to build on renewed collaboration between the federal government and provinces and territories to strengthen Canada's healthcare system.
Co-Chairs and Meeting Structure
The meeting is being co-chaired by Federal Minister of Health Marjorie Michel and Alberta's Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services Adriana LaGrange. On October 16, Minister LaGrange hosted the provincial and territorial health ministers' meeting. The full FPT meeting, co-chaired by both ministers, is taking place on October 17. News conferences are scheduled following both the provincial/territorial meeting and the FPT meeting to provide updates on the outcomes of these critical discussions.
5 Comments
KittyKat
Credential recognition issues have been ignored for too long. Why now?
Donatello
While interprovincial credential recognition is a vital step for healthcare access, the ongoing disagreement over national pharmacare funding highlights persistent federal-provincial tensions that must be resolved for a truly unified system.
Leonardo
More talk, less action. We've heard this all before.
Michelangelo
Finally, ministers are talking! This collaboration is long overdue.
Donatello
Acknowledging mental health as a priority is commendable, yet without specific, measurable commitments and dedicated long-term funding, these discussions risk becoming another set of unfulfilled promises for those in need.