Healthcare news · Across Canada
Short briefs on what is changing in healthcare in Manitoba and across Canada, collected from official bodies and news outlets, each linked to its original source.
Summaries are written automatically by AI from each source’s published text. They can contain mistakes. Always check the original before acting. How this works
Canada’s flu season began seven weeks earlier than usual, with national positivity rates exceeding the five per cent epidemic threshold by mid-October. While H1N1 is the dominant strain, experts note that current vaccines remain effective at reducing the severity of illness and the risk of hospitalization.
News source: Global News Health (opens in a new tab)
A Statistics Canada report shows registered nursing employment grew by over 100,000 positions since 2019. Despite this growth, vacancy rates remain high, particularly for licensed practical nurses, and inflation-adjusted wages for many nursing roles have declined since 2019.
News source: Hospital News (opens in a new tab)
Philips has issued a notice regarding Azurion 7 systems that may contain unauthorized solid-state drives. These incorrect components could lead to system failures, including the loss of imaging capabilities, motorized movement issues, or the inability to access and store patient data.
Why it matters: Frontline staff using these systems may experience sudden equipment failure or loss of patient imaging data during clinical procedures.
Official source: Health Canada recalls and alerts (opens in a new tab)
Abbott has issued a recall for specific lots of i-STAT hs-TnI cartridges due to manufacturing variability. These cartridges may produce falsely elevated cardiac troponin I results because of reduced interference mitigation. There is no evidence of falsely low test results.
Why it matters: Frontline staff should stop using affected cartridge lots to avoid receiving inaccurate cardiac troponin I test results.
Official source: Health Canada recalls and alerts (opens in a new tab)
Federal, provincial, and territorial health ministers met in Winnipeg on October 16, 2026, to discuss healthcare system reforms. Key priorities included improving workforce mobility for internationally educated professionals, advancing national public health data sharing, and ensuring the sustainability of long-term funding for rare disease treatments and community care services.
Why it matters: Ministers are working to streamline pathways for internationally educated health professionals to practice in Canada.
News source: Hospital News (opens in a new tab)
The Public Health Agency of Canada has declared the two-year national measles outbreak over, following two months without new linked cases. The outbreak resulted in 6,417 total cases across 10 provinces and territories, including 1,033 in Manitoba. Officials continue to emphasize the importance of routine vaccinations to prevent future transmission.
Why it matters: Frontline workers should continue to prioritize routine measles immunization for patients to prevent future outbreaks from travel-related cases.
News source: Global News Health (opens in a new tab)
The Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions met with federal and provincial health ministers to advocate for a national seniors' care strategy. The union is calling for mandatory staffing standards, increased funding, and improved support for long-term care workers to address chronic overcapacity and workplace violence.
Why it matters: The union is advocating for national staffing standards and pay parity for nurses and health care workers in seniors' care.
Official source: Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (opens in a new tab)
The author argues that expanding emergency departments to address overcrowding often fails if inpatient bottlenecks remain. Citing studies and national data, the piece suggests that increasing ED capacity without improving patient flow can worsen boarding times and strain nursing resources. Governments are urged to prioritize flow management and bed availability over physical facility expansion.
News source: Healthy Debate (opens in a new tab)
The federal government has extended health funding for mental health, addictions, home care, and community services by one year. This extension aligns with existing long-term care agreements and provides a new timeline for governments to discuss long-term funding formulas.
Why it matters: The funding extension ensures continued financial support for mental health, addictions, and home and community care programs that frontline workers rely on.
Official source: Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (opens in a new tab)
The Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions is meeting with health ministers on October 16 to advocate for a national seniors’ care strategy. The union is calling for the renewal of expiring federal funding agreements for long-term, home, and community care to support staffing standards and improved care delivery for older Canadians.
Why it matters: The outcome of these funding negotiations may impact future staffing levels and resources for nurses working in long-term and home care settings.
Official source: Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (opens in a new tab)