The Government of Canada is continuing to take action to lower smoking rates and shift public attitudes about tobacco. Introduced in 2001 and renewed in 2012, the Strategy is a comprehensive and integrated tobacco control program based on international best practices, which has helped Canadians reduce their use of tobacco. The one-year extension of the … Read more
Health Canada’s position on the risks of obtaining cannabis from dispensaries has been consistent: these facilities are unlicensed by the federal government, illegally supplied, and sell product that may be contaminated or otherwise unsafe. The only legal commercial source of safe, quality-controlled cannabis for medical purposes in Canada is through purchase directly from one of the … Read more
Health Canada is releasing an updated Labelling Standard for over-the-counter acetaminophen products to help consumers use these products more safely. Product packages will include clearer instructions and stronger warnings to help reduce the potential for liver damage. This change is one of a number of steps Health Canada is taking in light of a safety review released in 2015. The … Read more
The Government of Canada published the results of the 2014-15 Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drugs Survey, which demonstrate continued progress in lowering youth smoking rates.while also highlighting the persistent use of flavoured tobacco, including menthol. The study also highlights evidence on the ongoing misuse of psychoactive pharmaceutical products among students. The full release is available … Read more
Health Canada has launched an open consultation process to solicit feedback on the future design of the Official Languages Health Contribution Program. The intent of the program is to improve access to health services to English-speaking communities of Québec and French communities elsewhere in Canada. The deadline for providing comments is November 4, 2016. The full release … Read more
As part of the federal government’s commitment to take action to address the national opioid crisis, Health Canada is proposing to move forward with plans to restrict six chemicals used in the production of fentanyl, originally put forward by Conservative Senator Vern White‘s Senate Public Bill S-225, An Act to Amend the Controlled Drugs and Substance … Read more
In response to the Federal Court of Canada’s decision in Allard v. Canada, Health Canada announced the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations. The ACMPR will replace the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations as the regulations governing Canada’s medical cannabis program, and will come into force on August 24, 2016. Health Canada is confident … Read more
To support implementation of the National Inuit Suicide Prevention Strategy, released July 27 by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Health Canada announced $9 million for Inuit-specific approaches to improving mental wellness. “I would like to commend Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami for its efforts to raise awareness about suicide in Inuit communities and we are supportive of the work that … Read more
Prior to a series of meetings with First Nations leadership in Alberta this week, Health Minister Jane Philpott (Markham-Stouffville, Ont.) announced $17.3 million in funding to upgrade health facilities in First Nations communities in Alberta, part of the five-year $270 million Social Infrastructure Fund announced in Budget 2016. Philpott also announced that Health Canada will fund four new … Read more
Joint Statement from Health Minister Jane Philpott (Markham-Stouffville, Ont.) and Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett (Toronto-St. Paul’s, Ont.) on responding to Jordan’s Principle: “The Government of Canada has listened to the concerns raised by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal and our First Nations partners regarding Jordan’s Principle. There is no question – we believe children must … Read more
