Tessie Sanci
@tessiesanci.bsky.social
Journalist @hilltimes.com, health policy nerd and bookworm.
Pinned
Tessie Sanci
@tessiesanci.bsky.social
· Jun 17
It’s time for Ottawa to fully fund NIHB program, say Northwest Territories and Nunavut health ministers
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/0...
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/0...
buff.ly
Coming to you from a new role: I'm now covering health at @hilltimes.com. This is one of my first stories. Nunavut and Northwest Territories have been without an agreement for Non-Insured Health Benefits (which helps fund health services for First Nations and Inuit Peoples) since March. #cdnpoli
“We want to know what’s on our plate, we want to know what we’re buying, we want to be able to choose our food according to our values and concerns,” said agriculture critic Yves Perron during a recent press conference about his support for a petition calling for labels. #cdnhealth
Bloc joins push for mandatory labelling of genetically engineered foods
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/1...
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/1...
December 8, 2025 at 8:21 PM
“We want to know what’s on our plate, we want to know what we’re buying, we want to be able to choose our food according to our values and concerns,” said agriculture critic Yves Perron during a recent press conference about his support for a petition calling for labels. #cdnhealth
“I think there are reasons for optimism even though, right now, there is no clear plan for implementing pharmacare ... Prior to the next election, this gov't will have to explain what progress has been made toward pharmacare,” said Dr. Nav Persaud. #cdnhealth #pharmacare
New report recommends making pharmacare permanent with annual funding as progress on bilaterals remains stalled
By @tessiesanci #cdnpoli
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/1...
By @tessiesanci #cdnpoli
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/1...
December 2, 2025 at 5:26 PM
“I think there are reasons for optimism even though, right now, there is no clear plan for implementing pharmacare ... Prior to the next election, this gov't will have to explain what progress has been made toward pharmacare,” said Dr. Nav Persaud. #cdnhealth #pharmacare
Search for alcohol guidelines through Health Canada and you'll find a 2011 webpage advising no more than 2 standard drinks per day for women and no more than 3 daily for men. Updated guidance–funded by the dept—states that up to 2 drinks per week is considered safer. #cdnhealth
The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction developed new guidance around alcohol, which it published in 2023. That information is not yet available through Health Canada.
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/1...
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/1...
November 25, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Search for alcohol guidelines through Health Canada and you'll find a 2011 webpage advising no more than 2 standard drinks per day for women and no more than 3 daily for men. Updated guidance–funded by the dept—states that up to 2 drinks per week is considered safer. #cdnhealth
There's no new funding for mental health or substance use programs in Budget 2025. Current funds are thanks to two sets of bilateral agreements negotiated by Justin Trudeau's govt. How would Mark Carney's govt move forward on these issues? It's a mystery to those who work in these areas. #cdnhealth
‘We will be facing a financial cliff’: advocates concerned about mental health and substance use programs as bilaterals begin to lapse in 2027
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/1...
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/1...
November 18, 2025 at 2:11 PM
There's no new funding for mental health or substance use programs in Budget 2025. Current funds are thanks to two sets of bilateral agreements negotiated by Justin Trudeau's govt. How would Mark Carney's govt move forward on these issues? It's a mystery to those who work in these areas. #cdnhealth
If you're not budgeted out, check out this post-budget webinar featuring former Conservative MP Ed Fast, former BC premier Christy Clark, and former PBO Yves Giroux. Kudos to everyone at @hilltimes.com—including Peter Mazereeuw and Riddhi Kachhela—who worked on this.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ui7i...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ui7i...
The Hill Times: Navigating Ottawa After the Budget 2025
YouTube video by The Hill Times
www.youtube.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:10 PM
If you're not budgeted out, check out this post-budget webinar featuring former Conservative MP Ed Fast, former BC premier Christy Clark, and former PBO Yves Giroux. Kudos to everyone at @hilltimes.com—including Peter Mazereeuw and Riddhi Kachhela—who worked on this.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ui7i...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ui7i...
If you were looking for #cdnhealth funding in this budget, you would have had to literally review the entire document (no health section) and even then you wouldn't have found much. #cdnpoli
Carney Liberals focus on health infrastructure, but no new funding for mental health, substance use programs in federal budget
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/1...
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/1...
November 4, 2025 at 10:21 PM
If you were looking for #cdnhealth funding in this budget, you would have had to literally review the entire document (no health section) and even then you wouldn't have found much. #cdnpoli
This article was inspired by a recent Research Canada conference. A panellist said that health procurement for a Canadian company is "difficult." The audience laughed as if it was an understatement. So, why is it hard and how could the Elbows Up mentality help? #cdnhealth
Health innovation groups say they hope governments’ ‘Buy Canadian’ mentality hits their sector
By @tessiesanci #cdnpoli
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/1...
By @tessiesanci #cdnpoli
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/1...
November 3, 2025 at 2:14 PM
This article was inspired by a recent Research Canada conference. A panellist said that health procurement for a Canadian company is "difficult." The audience laughed as if it was an understatement. So, why is it hard and how could the Elbows Up mentality help? #cdnhealth
This story explores national licensing for physicians, which is still in the process phase years after the COVID-19 pandemic. I asked the Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada what they're doing about this, and they answered my questions. #cdnhealth
Stakeholders lament lack of timelines, ‘concrete’ action plans for fixing health care after ministers’ annual meeting
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/1...
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/1...
October 27, 2025 at 7:45 PM
This story explores national licensing for physicians, which is still in the process phase years after the COVID-19 pandemic. I asked the Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada what they're doing about this, and they answered my questions. #cdnhealth
Your one-stop-shop look at what the #SOCI affairs committee—and some of their members—are focusing on this fall. #cdnhealth #cdnpoli
Policy priorities for some Senate committee members also include digital health technologies, the impacts of climate disasters, and medical assistance in dying.
www.hilltimes.com
October 22, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Your one-stop-shop look at what the #SOCI affairs committee—and some of their members—are focusing on this fall. #cdnhealth #cdnpoli
This @hilltimes.com article is a few days old but it's a great read. Check out Marlo Glass’ most recent work as she highlights how the newly-announced budget format impacts northern territories.
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/1...
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/1...
Fall budget cycle 'great news' for 'more timely' northern project planning, says N.W.T. finance minister
'By the time we're actually seeing money coming through, our own estimates of our projects are sometimes six months to a year old,' says Northwest Territories Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek.
www.hilltimes.com
October 15, 2025 at 12:33 PM
This @hilltimes.com article is a few days old but it's a great read. Check out Marlo Glass’ most recent work as she highlights how the newly-announced budget format impacts northern territories.
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/1...
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/1...
“When you’re seeing announcements in research and innovation, or digital health, or health equity, or health prevention, or mental health and substance use, it’s very indicative of … essentially [Health Minister Marjorie Michel's] interests,” says Eshan Naik of EnterpriseHealth. #cdnhealth
Recent health spending comes from Trudeau era, but fits with current Liberal focus on health prevention, lowering costs, consultants say www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/1... @tessiesanci.bsky.social @hilltimes.com
𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 ⇢ CanadaHealthwatch.ca 🍁
𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 ⇢ CanadaHealthwatch.ca 🍁
October 14, 2025 at 12:54 PM
“When you’re seeing announcements in research and innovation, or digital health, or health equity, or health prevention, or mental health and substance use, it’s very indicative of … essentially [Health Minister Marjorie Michel's] interests,” says Eshan Naik of EnterpriseHealth. #cdnhealth
The Carney govt hasn't been the most vocal on its health/social policy so the move to focus a pre-budget press conference on actions for low-income Canadians is notable. The Liberals to go ahead with permanent automatic tax-filing, national school food program. #cdnhealth
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Carney announces long-awaited automatic tax filing, makes school food program permanent | CBC News
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Friday that his government will begin rolling out an automatic tax filing system for low-income Canadians and will make the school food program permanent, in advan...
www.cbc.ca
October 10, 2025 at 5:21 PM
The Carney govt hasn't been the most vocal on its health/social policy so the move to focus a pre-budget press conference on actions for low-income Canadians is notable. The Liberals to go ahead with permanent automatic tax-filing, national school food program. #cdnhealth
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Trend data going up over 10 years as well as the mental health concerns amongst those who misuse substances, said Patricia Conrod, Canada Research Chair in Preventive Mental Health and Addiction. "That, to me, is a perfect storm and that needs to be addressed immediately." #cdnhealth
Trend of increasing mental health challenges requires much more funding, say health sector experts
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/1...
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/1...
October 6, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Trend data going up over 10 years as well as the mental health concerns amongst those who misuse substances, said Patricia Conrod, Canada Research Chair in Preventive Mental Health and Addiction. "That, to me, is a perfect storm and that needs to be addressed immediately." #cdnhealth
New from me. This Liberal govt may not be interested in discussing pharmacare with provinces/territories that hadn't yet signed agreements, but jurisdictions including Sask. and NL are ready to talk...which is what happens when some provinces get money for something and others don't. #cdnhealth
UNLOCKED | Saskatchewan, Newfoundland, Nunavut, and Northwest Territories all open to pharmacare talks, but say they’re not taking place
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/0...
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/0...
Saskatchewan, Newfoundland, Nunavut, and Northwest Territories all open to pharmacare talks, but say they’re not taking place
The Carney government’s commitment to a national program is in question after the Liberals promised to ‘protect’ pharmacare during the 2025 campaign. Health Minister Marjorie Michel’s office says it will honour the four existing deals, but is not promising to negotiate others.
www.hilltimes.com
August 18, 2025 at 8:27 PM
New from me. This Liberal govt may not be interested in discussing pharmacare with provinces/territories that hadn't yet signed agreements, but jurisdictions including Sask. and NL are ready to talk...which is what happens when some provinces get money for something and others don't. #cdnhealth
Want to read the interview? An edited version appears online: www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/0...
August 12, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Want to read the interview? An edited version appears online: www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/0...
Reposted by Tessie Sanci
Unlocked | House Finance Committee faces pre-budget time crunch ahead of fall tabling
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/0...
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/0...
House Finance Committee faces pre-budget time crunch ahead of fall tabling
The amount of influence the House Finance Committee can have on a government budget is debatable, say observers, who note the fall schedule could provide an opportunity to adjust the process.
www.hilltimes.com
August 5, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Unlocked | House Finance Committee faces pre-budget time crunch ahead of fall tabling
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/0...
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/0...
Missing from the plan are any references to regulating vaping flavours and producing a safe long-term care law, which were both Trudeau promises from 2021. For more info, click on the link. #cdnpoli #cdnhealth
Unlocked | Health Canada plan forecasts a $1-billion spending drop by 2027-28
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/0...
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/0...
July 28, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Missing from the plan are any references to regulating vaping flavours and producing a safe long-term care law, which were both Trudeau promises from 2021. For more info, click on the link. #cdnpoli #cdnhealth
CARP's Anthony Quinn told me that before COVID-19, the fight to improve long-term care was typically a private one pursued by residents and their families. Once that resident died, the fight died with them. It was COVID-19 that turned that fight into a public one. It's something to remember.
Health Minister Marjorie Michel will not say whether she will move forward with the previous Liberal government’s promise to develop legislation to ensure safety in long-term care.
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/0...
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/0...
July 23, 2025 at 7:35 PM
CARP's Anthony Quinn told me that before COVID-19, the fight to improve long-term care was typically a private one pursued by residents and their families. Once that resident died, the fight died with them. It was COVID-19 that turned that fight into a public one. It's something to remember.
This bill to criminalize forced sterilizations—now re-introduced—has been before Parliament in some form since 2022.
"The survivors are waiting for it...It’s very important to them, and...it’s very important to me, too,” said Senator Yvonne Boyer. #cdnpoli
"The survivors are waiting for it...It’s very important to them, and...it’s very important to me, too,” said Senator Yvonne Boyer. #cdnpoli
Senator Yvonne Boyer says she hopes the Senate's previous study of her bill tackling forced and coerced sterilizations will speed up its passage in the Upper Chamber the second time around.
buff.ly/2FokAkU
buff.ly/2FokAkU
buff.ly
June 23, 2025 at 8:35 PM
This bill to criminalize forced sterilizations—now re-introduced—has been before Parliament in some form since 2022.
"The survivors are waiting for it...It’s very important to them, and...it’s very important to me, too,” said Senator Yvonne Boyer. #cdnpoli
"The survivors are waiting for it...It’s very important to them, and...it’s very important to me, too,” said Senator Yvonne Boyer. #cdnpoli
Reposted by Tessie Sanci
Join us this Friday @ 12PM ET for our next webinar: What's at Stake? The impact of US cuts to CDC’s global health programs
Moderated by @jennifernuzzo.bsky.social w/ panelists Jennifer Kates ( @kffhealthnews.org) and Rebecca Martin ( #EmoryGHI)
Registration ⤵️
brown.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Moderated by @jennifernuzzo.bsky.social w/ panelists Jennifer Kates ( @kffhealthnews.org) and Rebecca Martin ( #EmoryGHI)
Registration ⤵️
brown.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
June 23, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Join us this Friday @ 12PM ET for our next webinar: What's at Stake? The impact of US cuts to CDC’s global health programs
Moderated by @jennifernuzzo.bsky.social w/ panelists Jennifer Kates ( @kffhealthnews.org) and Rebecca Martin ( #EmoryGHI)
Registration ⤵️
brown.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Moderated by @jennifernuzzo.bsky.social w/ panelists Jennifer Kates ( @kffhealthnews.org) and Rebecca Martin ( #EmoryGHI)
Registration ⤵️
brown.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Both @govofnunavut.bsky.social and Northwest Territories have been without NIHB funding agreements since March. The federal program funds health services for Inuit and First Nations Peoples. Although it's Ottawa's program, the ministers say they use territorial dollars to cover what Ottawa won't pay
Nunavut Health Minister John Main and his Northwest Territories counterpart Lesa Semmler were in Ottawa to discuss viable funding for the federal Non-Insured Health Benefits program. By @tessiesanci #cdnpoli
buff.ly/5rM6Q5r
buff.ly/5rM6Q5r
June 19, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Both @govofnunavut.bsky.social and Northwest Territories have been without NIHB funding agreements since March. The federal program funds health services for Inuit and First Nations Peoples. Although it's Ottawa's program, the ministers say they use territorial dollars to cover what Ottawa won't pay
Reposted by Tessie Sanci
Front | Electoral success a temporary substitute for Israel-Gaza consensus; 'I'm a tariff person' Trump doubles down on levies; Potential Canada-EU defence deal short on details; BOIE pushed discussion of NDP resources to future meetings; and more.
www.hilltimes.com
www.hilltimes.com
June 18, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Front | Electoral success a temporary substitute for Israel-Gaza consensus; 'I'm a tariff person' Trump doubles down on levies; Potential Canada-EU defence deal short on details; BOIE pushed discussion of NDP resources to future meetings; and more.
www.hilltimes.com
www.hilltimes.com
Coming to you from a new role: I'm now covering health at @hilltimes.com. This is one of my first stories. Nunavut and Northwest Territories have been without an agreement for Non-Insured Health Benefits (which helps fund health services for First Nations and Inuit Peoples) since March. #cdnpoli
It’s time for Ottawa to fully fund NIHB program, say Northwest Territories and Nunavut health ministers
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/0...
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/0...
buff.ly
June 17, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Coming to you from a new role: I'm now covering health at @hilltimes.com. This is one of my first stories. Nunavut and Northwest Territories have been without an agreement for Non-Insured Health Benefits (which helps fund health services for First Nations and Inuit Peoples) since March. #cdnpoli
UHN's Dr. @bradwouters.com gets 2-3 emails per week from U.S. researchers looking for jobs in Canada. He said, "...existing scientists in the United States are rethinking that their future looks like. That’s primarily based on the fact that science is under threat" in the U.S. #cdnhealth
@uhntoronto.bsky.social, @cmadocs.bsky.social say it's time to roll out the welcome mat to U.S. doctors and scientists. bit.ly/4469Jwx #cdnhealth (for subscribers)
April 25, 2025 at 2:32 PM
UHN's Dr. @bradwouters.com gets 2-3 emails per week from U.S. researchers looking for jobs in Canada. He said, "...existing scientists in the United States are rethinking that their future looks like. That’s primarily based on the fact that science is under threat" in the U.S. #cdnhealth
A rare non-health post from me but did anyone have "Canadian election makes the @deadline.com homepage" on their #cdnpoli bingo card?
Article: deadline.com/2025/04/cana...
Article: deadline.com/2025/04/cana...
April 19, 2025 at 10:50 PM
A rare non-health post from me but did anyone have "Canadian election makes the @deadline.com homepage" on their #cdnpoli bingo card?
Article: deadline.com/2025/04/cana...
Article: deadline.com/2025/04/cana...