Alberta officials were also directors of firm awarded health services contract
This week’s edition of who is saying what about public health care is compiled by Pat Van Horne.
Alberta health officials tied to company awarded millions in contracts
“Two of the most senior purchasing officials at Alberta Health Services in 2022 were also briefly directors of a numbered company with ties to a supplier that has been awarded hundreds of millions of dollars in business by the health agency . . . Corporate filings show that in October, 2022, Jitendra Prasad and Blayne Iskiw – both of whom then worked as senior procurement officials at Alberta Health Services – were directors of a numbered company with a person named Khalil Mraiche. . . Two people by that name are relatives of Sam Mraiche, the owner of MHCare Medical Corp., an equipment and drug supplier that has done more than $600-million in business with the Alberta Health Authority since the pandemic,” stated a report by The Globe and Mail, September 29, 2025
April 10 recognized as Indigenous Nurses Day in Quebec
“It’s not just the mandate of the Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec (OIIQ). All of society, people upstream in the education system, in healthcare facilities, we really need to work together to ensure that Indigenous communities feel welcome, that they are well cared for, and that their culture is taken into account,” said OIIQ President Luc Mathieu, adding that April 10 was chosen because it is celebrated elsewhere in Canada in honour of Charlotte Edith Anderson Monture, born April 10, 1890, the first Indigenous woman to become a registered nurse in Canada, Montreal City News, September 30, 2025
Manitoba admits changes to home-care not handled well
“There was a change that happened earlier this year … with the intentions of improving those services, and that transition did not go the way that it should have . . .Too many families saw disruptions that caused frustrations and uncertainty, and for that, I sincerely apologize. . .(The changes) happened far too quickly and it didn’t factor in the concerns that the front-line providers were expressing. It was very clear to us that the rollout was not going well, and so, as a government, we intervened,” said Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara to The Winnipeg Free Press, September 29, 2025
Senator says Canada must invest in the health of veterans, public safety personnel, and their families
“As Ottawa considers its defence spending priorities, it must not overlook the health and well-being of its most important asset: the people who provide safety and security to Canada, and those who support them. They are critical to Canada’s defence revitalization. . . The government must continue to support and invest in four pivotal organizations dedicated to supporting the physical and mental health of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members, veterans, public safety personnel, and their families. . .These four organizations: The Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR); Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT); Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families; and Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans (CPCoE)—all play a critical, sometimes life-saving role in the health and well-being of these communities,” said Baltej Singh Dhillon, a member of the Independent Senators Group, retired career police officer and advocate for diversity and inclusion, The Hill Times, September 24, 2025
Medical complaints must be dealt with in Manitoba
“As has recently been reported, the (College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba) currently has more than 225 open investigations related to complaints from Manitobans regarding medical treatment they’ve received, and at present has just one investigator tasked with conducting those investigations. . . In addition to directly putting patient safety at risk, the failure to investigate in a timely manner also further erodes public trust in a health-care system that has for too long been widely considered to be in crisis,” stated an editorial by The Winnipeg Free Press, September 29, 2025
Mental health emergency patients get room of their own
“Opened in November 2024, (Ottawa’s) Montfort Hospital’s Mental Health Emergency Zone (MHEZ) is purpose-built to help stabilize patients in a mental health crisis, making the ER safer for themselves, other patients and health-care workers. . . It’s a calm oasis with soft music, lights that can be dimmed, comfy beanbag chairs and a water cooler. There’s a bathroom with a shower and a cellphone charging locker. A psychiatric nurse is there 24/7 to do an initial assessment and de-escalate distressed patients, all the while gathering valuable information for the ER doctors,” said Dr. Brian Goldman on CBC Radio’s White Coat Black Art, September 27, 2025
Stats Canada shows foreign nurses struggling for jobs, despite shortages
“(Statistics Canada highlights) the need to enhance and expand resources, policies and programs for immigrants entering the nursing profession, particularly those without prior Canadian work experience. . . The data show that immigrants with Canadian work experience before being admitted as permanent residents were far more likely to end up working in nursing jobs. Their rate of alignment between intended and actual employment in nursing was 28 percentage points higher than that of those without such work experience,” said a report in The Toronto Star, September 25, 2025
What is “involuntary treatment” in BC?
“According to the province, anyone receiving involuntary treatment must meet a specific set of criteria. . . They must have a mental disorder that requires treatment; their disorder impairs their ability to react appropriately to their environment or associate with others; they need care or supervision to prevent substantial mental or physical deterioration, or for the protection of themselves or others; they require treatment in a designated facility; and, the person can’t be admitted voluntarily,” said a report by CBC, following an announcement by the BC Government Office of the Chief Scientific Advisor for Psychiatry, Toxic Drugs, and Concurrent Disorders, September 29, 2025
