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Federal Government Removes IFHP Co-Payments for Select Health Services

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Earlier this year, SAC informed members that changes to the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) would introduce a 30% co-payment for supplemental health services, including speech-language pathology services, audiology assessments and assistive devices such as hearing aids. 

SAC subsequently joined more than 40 national health organizations through HEAL (Organizations for Health Action) in calling on the federal government to reverse the co-payments. SAC also raised the issue in its 2026 federal pre-budget submission, recommending that vulnerable and underage individuals be exempt from IFHP co-payments to reduce administrative and ethical burdens on health-care providers delivering publicly funded care. 

Following these advocacy efforts, the federal government implemented changes to the IFHP that took effect on July 31, 2026. Several products and services were moved from supplemental to basic coverage and are therefore no longer subject to the 30% co-payment. Of relevance to SAC members, these changes include specified feeding supplies and respiratory equipment, as well as cochlear implants and bone-anchored hearing devices. In-hospital speech therapy is also included under the IFHP’s basic coverage. 

This is a welcome outcome for SAC members and the people they serve. 

 

Reference: Toronto Star Article 

What Canada’s New National AI Strategy Could Mean for Communication and Hearing Health

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The Government of Canada recently released its new national artificial intelligence strategy, AI for All: Canada’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy. While much of the public discussion around AI focuses on economic growth, innovation, and productivity, the strategy also includes several initiatives that could have important implications for communication and hearing health professionals.

One of the most significant announcements is the creation of Canada’s new AI Missions Program. The first mission will focus on healthcare, with the goal of accelerating the adoption of AI in diagnostics, patient care, and health system efficiency. As governments, healthcare organizations, and technology developers increasingly explore how AI can support healthcare delivery, there may be opportunities to improve access to speech-language pathology and audiology services, particularly for individuals living in rural, remote, and underserved communities.

AI technologies are already being developed to support hearing screening, speech and language assessment, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), automated transcription and captioning, virtual care, and clinical decision support. Future innovations could help identify communication, hearing, and swallowing disorders earlier, streamline care pathways, and improve access to services for Canadians who currently face barriers to care.

At the same time, AI systems can create new barriers if communication accessibility is not considered during their design and implementation. AI-generated speech, captions, summaries, and transcripts must be accurate enough to support meaningful communication. Likewise, AI systems should be tested with people who have communication and hearing disabilities, and developers must address the risk of bias when systems are trained on data that may not adequately represent individuals with atypical speech, hearing loss, language differences, or complex communication needs.

SAC is already contributing to this conversation through its participation in the My Say: Exploring the Opportunities and Risks of AI-Assisted Communication project led by the Inclusive Design Research Centre at OCAD University. This disability-led initiative is examining both the opportunities and risks of generative AI-assisted communication and will help inform future accessibility standards and guidance for AI technologies.

While AI will not replace the clinical expertise, judgment, and human connection that are central to speech-language pathology and audiology, it is likely to become an increasingly important part of the healthcare landscape. SAC will continue to monitor developments in

this area and advocate for communication and hearing accessibility to be considered from the outset as Canada’s AI future takes shape. These ongoing efforts include the creation of a position statement regarding the impact and role of AI in communication and hearing health services in Canada.

SAC Responds to British Columbia Announcement on OTC Hearing Aids

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Yesterday, June 17th the Government of British Columbia announced that it will permit access to over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC) recognizes that many Canadians face barriers to accessing hearing healthcare and supports efforts to improve access to hearing technology. At the same time, SAC believes that appropriate regulatory safeguards, consumer education, and access to professional hearing healthcare services remain essential to ensuring OTC hearing aids are used safely and effectively.

SAC responded to the Government of British Columbia’s consultation and supports the introduction of OTC hearing aids in Canada only if strong regulatory safeguards are in place. These devices should be introduced as part of a broader hearing care ecosystem that continues to rely on audiologists for assessment, safe fitting, and follow-up care. While OTC hearing aids may improve accessibility – professional involvement, public education, and appropriate government regulation are essential to ensure they are used safely and effectively. Without these elements, there is a risk of misdiagnosis, delayed treatment of underlying conditions, or limited benefit from the devices.

In the absence of federal guidance or a national OTC subcategory, provinces and territories are developing their own approaches within their respective mandates. This evolving landscape may create challenges for both professionals and the public, particularly as regulations and access may vary across jurisdictions. SAC continues to advocate for stronger federal leadership in this area, including clear and enforceable standards for safety, labelling, and performance of OTC hearing devices.

For Canadians, OTC hearing aids offer a more accessible option, but informed decision-making is critical. Individuals considering OTC hearing aids should be aware that an audiologist can help determine whether hearing loss is present, identify its type and severity, and provide guidance on whether OTC devices are likely to be appropriate for their needs. This step helps prevent unnecessary costs, improper use, and potential harm to the public from incorrect amplification.

SAC remains committed to advocating for models of hearing health that ensure Canadians have access to both innovative hearing technologies and the expertise of audiologists when needed. While the introduction of safe and effective OTC hearing aids for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss represents a step toward improving access to hearing technology, it does not fully address the broader issue of equitable access to proper hearing care.

To learn more, read SAC’s recent Position Paper on Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids in Canada.

2026 Spring Economic Update: Key Impacts for S-LPs and Audiologists

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The federal government released the 2026 Spring Economic Update, titled Canada Strong for All. SAC has analyzed the document to identify critical changes affecting our members and their patients, particularly regarding the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).

Major Reforms to the Disability Tax Credit (DTC)

The update introduces significant shifts in how communication and hearing disorders are assessed for federal support, moving toward a more diagnostic-led model for specific conditions.

New “Diagnosis-Only” Stream

For individuals with severe and permanent conditions, the government is removing the requirement to provide detailed descriptions of functional limitations. Instead, health professionals only need to confirm a formal diagnosis.

  • Audiology Impact: Bilateral hearing loss (severe or profound) and profound loss in one ear, combined with severe loss in the other, now qualify for streamlined processing.
  • S-LP Impact: Individuals who rely primarily on sign language or lip-reading for communication are now included in the streamlined diagnosis list.
 Expanded Certification Authority (Starting 2027)

SAC has long advocated for full recognition of the expertise of S-LPs and audiologists. We are pleased to report that the government will expand S-LPs’ authority to certify a broader range of impairments within their clinical scope, reducing wait times for patients who previously required a physician’s signature.

Value of the Credit

For the 2026 tax year, the DTC amount is indexed to $10,341. As a reminder, a valid DTC certificate is now the mandatory prerequisite for accessing the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), which became fully operational in July 2025.

Healthcare Workforce and Interdisciplinary Care

The update reaffirms federal support for the sector through several funding envelopes:

  • Long-Term Care (LTC): New funding specifically earmarked for multidisciplinary teams to meet increased direct care hour targets.
  • Pediatric Services: Targeted investments for integrated treatment centres, aimed at reducing backlogs for autism and developmental speech services.
  • CPP Adjustments: Members should note that the CPP contribution rate will decrease to 9.5% effective January 1, 2027, offering slight relief for private practice owners and employees alike.

Member Action: What This Means for Your Practice

Members should prepare for an increase in DTC application requests following these changes.

 

Legislative Update: Navigating Diagnostic Shifts and Accessibility Challenges in Alberta

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The spring legislative session in Alberta has delivered a mixed landscape for the communication health sector. While new government legislation aims to modernize diagnostic pathways, a significant effort to establish comprehensive provincial accessibility standards has been halted.

Bill 29: Streamlining Diagnostic Pathways

Introduced in April 2026, Bill 29, the Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2026, proposes a notable shift in how Albertans interact with the healthcare system. The legislation focuses on reducing administrative barriers to preventative and diagnostic services.

  • Referral-Free Access: The bill establishes a framework allowing Albertans to access specific diagnostic tests without a primary care provider’s referral.
  • Implications for Audiology: This shift toward “self-referral” for private diagnostic tests could impact the patient journey for audiological assessments, potentially reducing the bottleneck caused by primary care wait times.
  • Modernizing Care: The government positions Bill 29 as a way to empower practitioners within the new “four-pillar” health structure by facilitating direct-access models.

The passage of Bill 29 marks a move toward direct access for diagnostic services, which may offer audiologists new opportunities within the health system.

The Defeat of Bill 206: The Accessible Alberta Act

While Bill 29 progresses, Bill 206, the Accessible Alberta Act, was defeated at second reading on March 23, 2026. This Private Member’s Bill sought to create a provincial framework for accessibility standards across several sectors, including communications.

The bill aimed to move Alberta toward a proactive accessibility model, similar to legislation in other provinces, rather than relying on a reactive, complaint-based human rights system.

The debate over Bill 206 underscored the ongoing struggle to have communication access recognized as a specific and fundamental right. Proponents of the bill highlighted how gaps in current definitions, such as those regarding service animals that assist with communication can effectively isolate individuals.

Conversely, those opposing the bill argued that existing legislation was sufficient and that new communication-specific standards might complicate the current regulatory environment.

The defeat of Bill 206 suggests that more advocacy is needed to ensure that communication-specific barriers are addressed through proactive provincial standards rather than general human rights protections.

SAC will continue to advocate for the recognition of communication access as a distinct right.

SAC Joins HEAL in Calling for Reversal of IFHP Co‑Payments

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Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC) has joined HEAL (Organizations for Health Action) in signing a letter to the federal government urging the reversal of newly announced co-payments under the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP).

As shared previously, the changes set to take effect May 1, 2026, introduce out-of-pocket costs for prescription medications and supplemental health services for refugees and asylum seekers. Alongside more than 40 national health organizations, SAC raised concerns that these co-payments will create significant barriers to accessing essential care—particularly for individuals and families already facing economic and health vulnerabilities.

This advocacy aligns closely with SAC’s federal priorities, including:

  • equitable access to care for people with communication, hearing, swallowing, and balance needs;
  • early intervention and continuity of services for children, youth, and families; and
  • supporting health system sustainability by preventing care delays that lead to worse outcomes and increased system costs.

Refugees and asylum seekers often arrive in Canada with complex, untreated health needs. For those requiring speech-language pathology, audiology, rehabilitation, or assistive devices, even modest co-payments can result in delayed or forgone care, undermining health equity and contradicting Canada’s broader commitments to universal access.

Through this collective action with HEAL, SAC is reinforcing the importance of policies that protect access to essential services, reduce administrative burden on providers, and support the health and well-being of underserved populations. We will continue to advocate for a health system that prioritizes communication, safety, and care for everyone in Canada.

2026 Ontario Budget – What it means for Communication Health Professionals

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The 2026 Ontario Budget, released on March 26, 2026, outlines significant investments in health care, education, and infrastructure. While communication health professionals are not directly referenced, several system-level initiatives may have implications for speech-language pathologists (S-LPs), audiologists, and communication health assistants.

In education and broader health human resources (HHR) development, the budget’s expansion of the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant (OLSG), along with continued investments in primary care, home and community care, and hospital infrastructure, presents important opportunities to strengthen Ontario’s communication health workforce. These system expansions are expected to increase capacity across publicly funded health settings, which may in turn drive greater demand for S-LPs, audiologists, and communication health assistants.

While communication health professions are not currently included in OLSG eligibility, many of the regions targeted for growth and stabilization continue to experience workforce shortages. This aligns with SAC’s focus on education and HHR, highlighting the importance of integrating communication health professionals across regions through sustainable workforce planning.

The budget also includes new investments in long-term care (LTC), including a commitment to increasing staffing to achieve four hours of daily direct care per resident, with 36 minutes allocated to allied health professionals. This presents an opportunity to strengthen access to communication health services in LTC settings. Although the budget does not specify which professions are included within the “allied health” category, our professions play a critical role in supporting residents with communication disorders, dysphagia, and hearing loss. SAC will continue to work with policymakers to support the inclusion of these professions within staffing models and publicly funded healthcare frameworks.

Specific program investments also present opportunities for Speech-language & Audiology Canada (SAC) members. Increased funding for the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) is intended to expand access to core clinical services, which may increase demand for speech-language pathology and communication health services. Similarly, the development of a new integrated treatment centre at CHEO reflects a continued provincial shift toward interdisciplinary care models for children with complex needs.

Overall, the 2026 Ontario Budget strengthens health and education systems through broad-based investments. As these changes are implemented, there is an opportunity to further integrate communication health professions into healthcare models and workforce strategies. SAC will continue to advance this work through advocacy and policy engagement, supporting the inclusion of communication health services in system planning and contributing to improved access, quality of care, and patient outcomes.

Note on Current Landscape

While the budget outlines investments in health infrastructure, programs, and system capacity, ongoing operational pressures and workforce adjustments in Ontario’s hospitals suggest that service delivery challenges persist. Feedback from members also indicates a gap between funding commitments and the staffing resources required to meet demand.

Saskatchewan Provincial Budget Highlights 2026-2027

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Saskatchewan’s Finance Minister delivered the province’s 2026 budget on March 18, 2026. The budget anticipates a $1.2 billion deficit for 2025-26 and projects deficits of $819 million for 2026-27 and $608 million for 2027-28.

Below are highlights pertinent to our members.

Tax changes

No changes have been announced to personal or corporate tax rates. This means members should not see any immediate change to take-home pay or incorporated practice tax planning in 2026-27.

Health

Saskatchewan announced a record $8.5 billion investment in health to improve access to care across the province. This includes approximately about 5.15 billion dollars for the Saskatchewan Health Authority, representing roughly a 5% increase aimed at protecting and improving access to primary care, hospital care, surgery, and diagnostics.

Funding will expand mental health and addictions services, strengthen primary and emergency care, and modernize facilities and technology. For speech-language pathologists (S-LPs), audiologists and communication health assistants, this may translate into new or reconfigured roles in primary care teams, emergency and critical care, and mental health and addictions programs as the government implements its “Patients First” access targets.

The Government of Saskatchewan has also recently announced the Patients First Health Care Plan. The plan includes priorities such as:

  • expanding access to care;
  • improving recruitment, retention, and training;
  • modernizing care delivery and scope of practice;
  • improving safe and quality care; and
  • and improving facilities and equipment.

Under modernizing care delivery and scope of practice, the plan explicitly notes that the next steps are to “identify new opportunities to broaden the roles of nurse practitioners and allied health professionals, including occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists, province-wide,” which creates a formal opening to advocate for speech-language pathology and audiology presence in community clinics, primary care, and virtual models of care.

The Saskatchewan government also plans to significantly expand nurse practitioners and other primary care providers, with the stated goal that “every resident will have a primary care provider by the end of 2028”, which could influence how interprofessional primary care teams are designed, and raise questions of where communication and dysphagia services fit into these models.

Education

The government will invest 3.6 billion dollars in pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12 education, early learning, child care, and libraries. This includes continued support for 10-dollar-per-day childcare and additional childcare spaces, which may further increase demand for early years speech, language, and hearing services in already pressured preschool and school-based systems.

A 9.9 billion dollar commitment was announced to finalize respiratory therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology post-secondary programs launching this fall, according to a provincial news release. This commitment aims to support recruitment, retention, and training, aligned with the “Patient First” initiatives, representing an important step toward growing the provincial pipeline of S-LPs and other allied health professionals. Further details on clinical placements, long-term funding, and clinical educator resources and supports will be important for our professions.

Pan Canadian Data Strategy: Why It Matters for SAC Members

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Health Workforce Canada has released the Pan Canadian Health Workforce Data Strategy, a national initiative designed to address longstanding gaps in how health workforce data is collected and shared across the country. Fragmented and inconsistent data has hindered effective planning for many health professions, including speech-language pathology and audiology.

As an active member of the Data Strategy Advisory Group, SAC played a direct role in shaping this work and ensuring that the needs and realities of the communication health workforce were reflected throughout the development.

The Pan Canadian Health Workforce Data Strategy approach is closely aligned with the challenges and priorities that SAC members continue to identify.

The need for member support across the workforce

More robust national data on workforce supply, mobility, and distribution will help provide greater visibility into the pressures that communication health professionals experience in their daily practice. This evidence strengthens SAC’s advocacy for increased training capacity, improved recruitment and retention supports and expanded federal programs that recognize the essential contributions of speech-language pathologists (S-LPs), audiologists, and communication health assistants.

The need for improved access to speech-language pathology and audiology services

A coordinated data system will make it easier to identify areas where wait times are longest, services are limited, or access to safe and innovative devices requires urgent improvement. This directly supports SAC’s ongoing efforts to ensure Canadians can access the communication health care and tools our members rely on to deliver high quality, evidence-informed care.

The need for better communication access and care in Indigenous and remote communities

The strategy’s emphasis on respectful collaboration with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners reinforces SAC’s work to expand culturally grounded, community-led speech and hearing services. Improved data will support better planning for mobile, virtual, and Indigenous-led communication health initiatives in regions where access remains limited.

The need for enhanced early hearing and communication support for children

Reliable national data will help identify persistent gaps in early intervention, whether in childcare settings, screening programs, or community supports. This evidence bolsters SAC’s advocacy for national Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) guidelines and for the strengthened integration of S-LPs and audiologists in early learning environments, ensuring children receive timely and appropriate support.

By improving the consistency, accessibility, and interoperability of workforce data across the country, the Pan Canadian Health Workforce Data Strategy reinforces SAC’s national advocacy efforts and supports a future in which communication health care is more equitable, timely, and responsive to the needs of all Canadians.

Read the strategy at healthworkforce.ca/resources.

SAC Advocates for Enhanced Communication Access in National Healthcare Education Standards

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SAC is pleased to inform our members that we have formally submitted a comprehensive response to the Health Standards Organization (HSO) regarding the public review of the CAN/HSO 40001:2025 (E) Healthcare Education draft standard. Our submission, informed by the expertise of SAC members, ensures that the voices of communication health professionals are represented in the development of national accreditation criteria.

A central theme of SAC’s feedback was the importance of evolving the standard’s definition of communication. While the draft correctly emphasizes “People-Powered Health,” our submission highlighted that true communication access is only achieved when patients and their health care providers can participate in effective two-way interaction, rather than just being recipients of information. Without this interaction, opportunities for learning and safe inclusive care can be missed.

In our formal response, SAC proposed several critical enhancements to the draft standard:

  • Reinforcing Equity: We commended the inclusion of social identities but recommended that ability and language be more explicitly prioritized as foundational pillars of equitable service design.
  • Accessibility in Simulation: We advocated for clinical simulations to incorporate specific interprofessional strategies to engage clients with communication disabilities. We also emphasized that emergency drills must include visual and tactile alerts (such as flashing signage) to be inclusive of those with hearing or vision loss.
  • Modality and Learner Rights: SAC requested that the standard guarantee students the right to be informed of risks in their preferred modality or language and that Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) explicitly include environmental supports like hearing loop systems and captioning.
  • Core Competencies: We proposed that “communication access supports” and “communication partner strategies” be recognized as core clinical competencies alongside trauma-informed care and cultural safety.

Our submission was supported by a robust reference list of communication access research and consultations with subject-matter experts. We reminded the HSO that communication barriers are a primary driver of preventable adverse events in healthcare. By embedding these requirements into healthcare education, we can ensure that future providers are equipped to provide safer, more inclusive care.

SAC remains committed to monitoring the progress of CAN/HSO 40001:2025 as it moves toward final publication. As the Human Health Resource crisis continues across Canada, it is imperative that innovative approaches to healthcare delivery be advocated to address caseload demands in clinical settings by systemically improving healthcare standards. By integrating the expertise of SAC members into national healthcare standards, we strive to reduce barriers to care. SAC will continue to update members on how these standards will impact our professions and the patients we serve.

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