Improving access to care, skilled workforce retention, and Indigenous communities’ access to communication health services remain key priorities for the SAC team.

This year, SAC mentored 4th-year Health Sciences Carleton University student Andrew Bachynsky through a research placement exploring health research, policy and innovation. On April 9, Andrew presented at Carleton University’s Health Science showcase to display an end-of-placement project poster titled “Mapping Opportunities for Speech-Language & Audiology Canada to engage with Indigenous Community Groups Across Canada.”

To fulfill our provincial and federal priorities to improve human health resources and advocate for the integration of the professions within healthcare and education, we recognize the importance of supporting the next generation of health professionals in realizing their potential. The SAC team thanks Andrew for his hard work throughout his placement, his enthusiasm in learning about our work, and for sharing his learnings with his peers.

Premier Doug Ford announced the government’s plan to boost and protect Ontario’s economy through the introduction of legislation aimed at reducing internal trade and labour barriers across Canada. The Protect Ontario through Free Trade Within Canada Act, 2025, if passed, would remove existing barriers to internal trade, reduce costs for Ontarians, and encourage buy local initiatives.  

Speech-language pathologists and audiologists are among the list of regulated health professionals that could potentially begin practicing in Ontario while they wait for registration in an Ontario health regulatory college through the removal of restrictions on where they may work using “As of Right” rules.  

Key highlights on labour mobility include:  

• Simplified movement across provincial lines, enabling certified workers to start jobs right away while completing a streamlined registration process 
• Ontario recognizing workers licensed in other provinces and territories as qualified to work in Ontario if those regions mutually reciprocate  
• More regulated health professionals in good standing are being allowed to start practising sooner and before their full Ontario registration is complete. This includes exploring the inclusion of U.S. professionals under the new rules.
• MOUs with Nova Scotia & New Brunswick to promote reciprocal labour mobility and reduce licensing or red tape
• Encouragement to other provinces and the federal government to adopt similar labour mobility measures to ensure fairness and opportunity for Canadian workers across the country 

Speech-Language & Audiology Canada is pleased to see that labour mobility is a major priority for the Ontario government. These changes would play a crucial role in addressing current human health resource challenges and improving access to essential speech, language, and hearing services. We welcome this important dialogue and look forward to contributing to solutions that support workforce flexibility on behalf of our members

Read the full technical briefing.

On April 10, the Ontario government launched the first call for proposals to create and expand up to 80 primary care teams for 300,000 more people in 2025-2026. This is part of a $1.8 billion investment to support the province’s Primary Care Action Team, which plans to add 305 new primary care teams and connect two million people to publicly funded primary care within four years.

The first round of applications targets communities where the most residents lack a primary care provider. Primary care practices and clinicians in Ontario Health Teams (OHT) can apply to establish or expand team-based models, including Family Health Teams, Community Health Centres, Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics, and Indigenous Primary Health Care Organizations.

S-LPs and audiologists are key to patient care, addressing speech, language, hearing, balance, and swallowing disorders across all stages of life. Their work ensures these needs are prioritized, helping patients navigate the system more confidently. SAC will monitor updates on Ontario’s Primary Care Action and Plan and urges our members to utilize our Team Primary Care Toolkit.

The Provincial Priorities Act in Alberta requires provincial entities, such as municipalities and municipal organizations, to obtain approval from the Alberta government before entering into, amending, extending, or renewing agreements with federal entities. This includes agreements related to funding, services, or other collaborations. For more context on this, please read here.

Federal programs funding provincial entities, such as the University of Alberta or local school boards, could be affected by this legislation. Potential implications for speech-language pathologists (S-LPs) and audiologists could include the following:

• Delayed Funding: Agreements for federal funding of health services may face delays due to the new approval process, which could impact resources for S-LPs and audiologists.
• Service Access Barriers: Delays or blocking of funding agreements might limit funding agreements are delayed or blocked, it could limit access to speech-language pathology and audiology services for Albertans.

If your clinic relies on any of the following funding mechanisms and experiences delays that create barriers to access, we welcome you to reach out to us at advocacy@sac-oac.ca:

• Veteran’s Affairs Canada
• Canada Social Transfer
• Official Languages in Education Program

On April 7, 2025, Premier Doug Ford announced new parliamentary assistants. They will support cabinet ministers and advance government priorities as Ontario responds to economic challenges, including potential U.S. tariffs, to protect the province’s interests and strengthen relationships with federal and international partners.

While tariffs’ impact on Ontario’s communication health sector remains unclear, SAC continues to monitor trade discussions and engage with professional associations to stay abreast of potential indirect effects stemming from broader economic policies and healthcare funding decisions.

Click here for the full list of parliamentary assistants and their responsibilities.

On Friday, March 14, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, presided over a ceremony at Rideau Hall where Mark Carney was sworn in as Canada’s 30th Prime Minister, alongside the members of his Ministry.

Prime Minister Carney has appointed a 24-member cabinet, a group of ministers tasked with leading the upcoming federal election campaign. Several ministers who held office under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were selected to take on new portfolios alongside a few new additions. A notable difference is the new Liberal cabinet has 18 fewer members and does not include a Deputy Prime Minister.

The government assembled by Prime Minister Carney is described as focused on addressing the country’s current crisis and tackling key issues such as the creation of higher-paying jobs, improving affordability, and enhancing national security. It was emphasized that the government will be action-driven with plans to shift away from previous policies. The Prime Minister is anticipated to call an election before the House is scheduled to reconvene on March 24.

While no announcements of specific initiatives directly targeting speech-language pathologists, and audiologists have been made, Speech-Language and Audiology Canada (SAC) is keen on promoting the importance of increasing federal investments to expand communication health services to enhance accessibility and service delivery.

The newly sworn-in Ministers and their portfolios can be found below:

• Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of International Trade and Intergovernmental Affairs and President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada
• Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development
• François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance
• Anita Anand, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
• Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence
• Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services
• Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
• Ginette Petitpas Taylor, President of the Treasury Board
• Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Culture and Identity, Parks Canada and Quebec Lieutenant
• Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade
• Kamal Khera, Minister of Health
• Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs
• Rechie Valdez, Chief Government Whip
• Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Jobs and Families
• David J. McGuinty, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
• Terry Duguid, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
• Nate Erskine-Smith, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
• Rachel Bendayan, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
• Élisabeth Brière, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canada Revenue Agency
• Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
• Arielle Kayabaga, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Democratic Institutions
• Kody Blois, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Rural Economic Development
• Ali Ehsassi, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Services and Procurement

Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC) is actively tracking changes to federal and provincial tariffs and their potential impact on the speech-language pathology and audiology professions.

Recent tariff measures announced by the U.S. government and subsequent retaliatory tariffs by the Canadian government may have implications for healthcare-related imports, including medical equipment and supplies. SAC is assessing how these developments could affect service delivery, professional practice, and accessibility for clients.

We are engaging with relevant stakeholders to stay informed and will keep members updated as more information becomes available. SAC remains committed to supporting our members and will continue to follow this issue closely to help them navigate any potential impacts.

As part of Speech & Hearing Month this May, Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC) is creating a series of digital collateral to highlight the scope of practice and impact of speech-language pathologists and audiologists.

To bring these to life, we are looking for short, impactful patient testimonials that showcase how these professionals have helped improve lives.

We are looking for testimonials that highlight the necessity and impact of these services—whether it’s helping a child find their voice, supporting an adult in regaining communication after a stroke, or improving someone’s ability to hear and engage with the world around them.

All testimonials will be anonymous.

We encourage our members to share this with their network.

Thank you for your time and support in helping us raise awareness of the critical role these professionals play in communication health.

Share your story here.

This article originates from this NDN Collective press release on November 21, 2024.

These 21 NDN Changemakers are Indigenous organizers, activists, social entrepreneurs and cultural practitioners throughout Turtle Island and beyond who are challenging the status quo and building a better future for all people and Mother Earth.

Rapid City, SD – Today, NDN Collective announces the 2024/26 NDN Changemaker Fellowship Cohort, a two-year fellowship consisting of 21 Indigenous leaders from throughout Turtle Island and beyond who are radically transforming Indigenous communities by defending Indigenous lands, waters, and rights; developing solutions for the future that regenerate the health of the Earth and our communities; and revitalizing our languages, governance practices, ceremonies, and ways of life. They are organizers, activists, social entrepreneurs and cultural practitioners who are challenging the status quo and building a better future for all people and Mother Earth.

“Although this is our fifth year offering the Changemaker Fellowship opportunity, this year marks the first time that NDN is conducting the Fellowship over a two-year time period,” said Serene Lawrence, Program Officer at NDN Collective. “By increasing our investment in the wellness and growth of Indigenous community members, our hope is that these individuals, their families and their communities will feel a greater scope of impact as a result of NDN’s support.”

Each fellow was uplifted and selected by grassroots members of their region in a process which involved nearly 500 applicants from 21 different regions across the colonial nation-states of Canada, Mexico and the U.S. including its surrounding Island nations.

“Learning about the many amazing changemakers throughout Turtle Island and Island Nations has been an incredible experience. Each application added a vibrant color to the future Indigenous leaders are building with their communities,” said Helen Aldana, Program Officer at NDN Collective. “We are honored to be a part of the 2024 – 2026 Changemakers’ journey as they take this time to invest in their personal and professional development to grow into the leaders they envision being for their community, their ancestors past and future, and Mother Earth.”

2024/26 NDN Changemaker Fellows

• Yazmín Novelo (Pueblo Maya Yucateco)
• Shelly Boyd (Sinixt/Arrow Lakes Colville Confederated Tribes)
• Rosalía Pablo Juárez (Pueblo Triqui)
• Octavio Domínguez Rosas (Indígena nahua)
• Ivy Richardson (Quatsino First Nation)
• Guadalupe Tzopitl Montalvo (indígena nawa)
• Elvia Villani Catalán (Me´phaa)
• Brook Thompson (Yurok & Karuk)
• Bibi Naniki Reyes Ocasio (Boricua Original Peoples of Boriken, Taino)
• Angelina Garcia (Xicana/Caxcan)
• Amy Stiffarm (Aaniiih (Whiteclay), Chippewa Cree, Blackfeet)
• Ayyu Qassataq (Iñupiaq, Yup’ik and adopted Lingit)
• Breanna Lameman (Diné)
• Demian Lawrenchuk (Inniniw (swampy Cree))
• Diana Ooleepeeka Neill-Anawak (Inuk, Nunavut Land Claim (Inuit Nunangat)
• Elisha Ieshontenhawe King (Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk)- Akwesasne)
• Emma Perez (Chamorro of the Mariana Islands)
• Imaikalani Winchester (Kanaka Maoli)
• Kwahará:ni Jacobs (Registered Mohawk of Kahnawà:ke)
• Rosa King (Oneida Nation of Wisconsin)
• Kawennahente Toni Cook (Akwesasne Mohawk)

This article originally appeared in IndigiNews on January 19, 2024.

The First Nations Child and Family Caring Society says “Canada” has failed to properly implement Jordan’s Principle and families trying to apply for support are facing a dire backlog.

The organization has filed 1,000 pages of evidence to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal supporting a non-compliance motion against the federal government for failing on its promise of timely access to health care for First Nations children.

An affidavit from executive director Cindy Blackstock filed on January 12th says the federal government has allowed problems to “fester to crisis levels” with First Nations children paying the price. The Caring Society is asking the Human Rights Tribunal to order the federal government to take various actions to address the pileup of Jordan’s Principle requests.

In October 2023, the federal court approved a $23.34 billion Final Settlement Agreement (FSA) on compensation for First Nations children and families who experienced discrimination because of “Canada’s” flawed and inequitable provision of the First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS), and the improper implementation of Jordan’s Principle.

The FSA stems from several Canadian Human Rights Tribunal rulings, one of which, made in 2016, ordered the federal government “to cease applying its narrow definition of Jordan’s Principle and to take measures to immediately implement its full meaning and scope.”

“Canada has got to show us that it will obey legal orders,” said Blackstock, who is Gitxsan.

In a letter dated December 17, Christopher Rupar, counsel for the attorney general of “Canada” responded to the Caring Society’s motion by saying that success “is evident from the recently concluded landmark negotiated settlement on compensation in this matter.” But Blackstock says the only way a child or family can be compensated is if they’ve already been victimized, and “the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal still has to ensure future discrimination doesn’t happen.”

Jordan’s Principle works to ensure First Nations children can access healthcare and the social and educational services they need, when needed.

The child-first principle derives from Jordan River Anderson, a boy from Norway House Cree Nation in “Manitoba” who was born with multiple disabilities. He lived in a hospital for more than two years because federal and provincial governments couldn’t agree on who would pay for his at-home care.

In 2001, during his time in hospital, Jordan’s family, First Nation, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, and healthcare providers began advocating for the government to put Jordan first and provide the care he needed. At age five, Jordan died in hospital, his case unresolved, sparking a movement to uphold human rights for all First Nations children through the creation of Jordan’s Principle.

In her recent affidavit, Blackstock said, “I promised [Jordan’s] family that I would do everything I could to ensure that Jordan’s Principle was honoured so that no other child had to suffer as he did. Eighteen years later, I am still trying to keep that promise.”

Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) — the federal body whose role it is to process Jordan’s Principle requests — has been denying families requests it views as “income supplements,” according to the Caring Society.

The Jordan’s Principle Handbook says “Canada” must ensure “a decision on individual requests for supports and services for First Nations children within 12-48 hours of receiving a completed request.”

Instead, the Caring Society has found thousands of unopened email requests — something Blackstock said her organization learned about from a First Nations service provider instead of the government itself. Further, ISC has failed to provide timeframes for determination and payment, leaving families seeking alternative for-profit solutions at their own cost, according to the Caring Society.

“It’s a hardship for families,” said Blackstock.

According to Blackstock, it costs $538 to review a Jordan’s Principle request. One way to speed up the system, she said, would be to automatically approve all eligible requests under $500. “They’d immediately save themselves $38 a go.”

ISC’s 24-hour phone line often goes unanswered, according to the Caring Society, and callers experience long delays in callbacks, even for urgent cases. They’ve also witnessed Jordan’s Principle “plugging holes” in other under-funded programs, such as education and transportation, and want to see the federal government address the gaps.

In an attempt to address these challenges, the Caring Society, the Assembly of First Nations, and Canada (the Parties involved in the Class Action FSA on Compensation) agreed on a ‘back-to-basics’ approach to Jordan’s Principle in early 2022.

The approach includes reducing the administrative burden on families through lighter documentation requirements for urgent requests and presumes parents or guardians are acting in a child’s best interest with a request that is specific to their needs. The approach should make requests easier to resolve and for ISC to comply with Tribunal orders, ensuring change can trickle down and be fully realized by children and families.

However, The Caring Society says they’re still not seeing improvement from ISC.

“First Nations are running into deficits, putting up the money themselves,” said Blackstock.

The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal is expected to hear the case in April or May, and a case conference is scheduled to take place on January 23.